Treat Remaining Non-Working Signals as 4-Way Stop
(ATLANTA, GA) – Tropical Storm Irma has come and gone, leaving its mark on Georgia’s people and on its landscape. Since the storm passed, nearly 1,000 Georgia DOT maintenance and construction personnel have worked to clear debris to ensure safe and passable travel. As a result, all interstates, state routes and bridges are open for traffic.
Most traffic signals are also working, with fewer than 100 on state and local roads that will be operational once power is restored. About half of these are in the Atlanta region. Per Georgia law, Georgia DOT reminds drivers to treat a non-working signal as a four-way stop.
“I traveled across the state yesterday. Impacts from Hurricane Irma—while substantial in some areas of Georgia—are overall better than predicted,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. said. “We inspected about 170 bridges in two days and ended up with only three closed in the entire state due to flooding. All roadways were open by Tuesday night unless power lines were involved.”
I-75 South Metro Express Lanes have also returned to normal operations. On weekdays lanes flow northbound toward metro Atlanta from12:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and reverse to southbound from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Weekends, the Express Lanes run northbound towards Atlanta, unless there is a special event. A Peach Pass is required to use the tolled lanes.
Georgia DOT cautions Irma evacuees driving to South Georgia and Florida to check with local officials about conditions at home prior to getting on the road. Be patient and stay informed:
· Treat a non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop.
· There may be lingering gas shortages in some parts of Georgia and Florida. Use the Gas Buddy app for current information on availability.
· For routes, current roadway conditions, or to report roadway conditions: 511ga.org or dial 511
· For HERO or CHAMP assistance: Dial 511
· For emergency information and updates: GEMA/HS at gema.ga.gov
· For news alerts and information throughout Georgia: www.GPBnews.org
