The first weekend closing of a southeast section of Atlanta's I-285 for repairs caused major headaches for truckers.

The Georgia Department of Transportation plans to close the nearly 8-mile southbound section each weekend for the next 11 weeks. Repairs to the northbound side will follow.
Traffic is supposed to detour by taking I-20 through downtown Atlanta and south on I-75/I-85. Traffic was backed up as much as 4 miles at times as five lanes of westbound I-20 traffic got in single file to take the I-75/I-85 exit.
Normally, trucks are legally prohibited from taking I-20 and must take the perimeter road. The DOT says it has lifted its prohibition against tractor-trailers going through the city while construction is going on, but there were scattered reports via CB radio last weekend that they had been ticketed anyway.
The DOT told the Atlanta Journal and Constitution they were surprised by the traffic problems, which were not anticipated based on projected weekend traffic problems. Traffic engineers are looking for ways to improve the situation; on possibility is adding an extra exit lane to the southbound exit off I-20.
Many truckers complained that they did not know about the detour. The DOT notified the Georgia Motor Truck Assn. and trucking publications, and posted flyers at weigh stations, rest stops and truckstops in Georgia. Portable signs also warn about the closure.