The City of Atlanta announced that Mayor Kasim Reed has issued an executive order temporarily suspending non-emergency construction activity while the Georgia Department of Transportation makes repairs to the impacted sections of Interstate 85. The City is working in close collaboration with GDOT, the lead response agency, to implement multiple strategies to mitigate traffic congestion and preserve access for first responders and to hospitals.

The order suspends work between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the Impact Mitigation Corridor, which extends from downtown Atlanta to the northern city limits, east to Moreland Avenue and west to US-41/Northside Drive. The City will not accept any new construction permits before April 17, 2017, to further mitigate the impact of construction activity on traffic congestion.

“Temporarily suspending construction activities during reconstruction of Interstate 85 makes sense and is the right decision to help ease traffic congestion,” said Mayor Reed. “While our partners at GDOT do the essential work of rebuilding the I-85 bridge, we are taking multiple measures to ensure people can make it to work or school on time, and can enjoy their time in our city.”

The City’s top priority throughout the reconstruction period is ensuring access for first responders and to hospitals. As motorists look for different routes to commute to work and school, the City has also prohibited non-local traffic in certain areas.

The City also encourages residents, visitors and public employees to consider tele-commuting or taking transit, such as MARTA and the Atlanta Streetcar, whenever possible. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have announced discounts for customers traveling to and from MARTA stations.