The Brief for Friday, August 7, 2026

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About the only way to completely avoid the effects of weakened road work in Atlanta is to walk or stay home. GDOT plans to get lots done before Monday's rush hour working around the clock to do it. And as GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale tells WAB's Jim Burris that likely means major traffic jams. Upcoming this weekend, we will be experiencing our first full closure from South Atlanta Road. to Pace's ferry road. Georgia DOT is undertaking the behemoth task of rebuilding a many decades old section of interstate. And so that that's 285. It goes in both directions that we're rebuilding, you know, 200,000 cars, a vital freight network. But it is old. And there really is no sort of... good way to cut this up. And when you're replacing a major interstate as traffic is using it, it's easy to build an interstate and open one, it is... really complex to rebuild an entire, almost a third of the pie. If you think of 285 as a circle, which we do, almost a third of 285 is being completely rebuilt. There will be detours in place, but talk about what travelers should prepare for not only along this stretch, but how that kind of affects the rest of the arteries around Metro Atlanta. There is a... formal approved detour, and that's specifically for freight, because freight can only go certain places due to size, due to wait, and we do our very best to keep them on that official detour, which sends freight through the downtown connector. And that's unique because on an average day, freight is not allowed on the downtown connector. They are prohibited from using that unless they are making local deliveries. So in this case, you know, we will be sending freight through the downtown Connector. We're also sending General Motors through the downtown connector, but you don't have to take that way. If you are getting out and about, just know that congestion and traffic in Metro Atlanta will be sort of out of the norm this weekend because we are taking out a massive part of one of our major arteries in the city. This stretch, I believe I remember hearing, was originally completed in the late 60s. Is that right? That is correct. So it is. I believe older than both of us. It is older than me yet. It is older than me as well. So, you know, it has served us well. It has served the community well. It has served the city well. But that is very old when it comes to pavement conditions. And I think anyone who regularly drives this stretch of 285 on the west side can attest to the fact that it is old. And there are some really gnarly, I think that's a technical transportation term. There's some really gnarly potholes. What do we do when we get it? there on a full weekend and close it down, well, we grind out those concrete slabs. We sort of take it down to the studs, if you will. And then we fill it back. You know, we are having to change the profile of the road because there are so many bridges. We want freight to be able to get under it. So we have to sort of grind out the road, refill. And then we're doing an asphalt top coat to sort of seal it off. And that will give us sort of a long term.

a better ease of maintenance for this stretch because it is, asphalt is easier to maintain and repair than sort of concrete slabs when they get old. We're also upgrading guardrail, upgrading signage, median walls. So lighting in some areas, it's sort of a, sort of a complete rehab to this section of 285, if you will. The closures start, I believe, at nine tonight. Is that correct? Well, technically they can start around seven or Contractor typically doesn't sort of put the full closures in until nine. They're sort of gearing up around the 7 o'clock hours. So you'll see them out and about ready to go. But they have a, like I said, it's a big, big lift to work around the clock from Friday because they understand that our expectation in their contract is that they are out of the road by 5 a.m. Monday morning. We have. Not yet during a full closure, knock on wood, experienced a contractor not be able to do that because we've had one of these. But they understand they have the weekend to get it done. Natalie Dale is a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation. Natalie, thanks so much for explaining this to us and good luck this weekend. Well, it is always, always good to talk with y'all. That was WAVE's Jim Burris speaking with G-DOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale. If you spent time on the Beltline, you've probably run into him. The friendly face who rollerblades sings and greets the people he passes who has become a recognizable part of Atlanta. W.A.B.E.'s Kenny Murray has more on a celebration honoring Beltline this weekend. The City of Atlanta is honoring Kevin Randolph, better known by his nickname, at Real Taco's on the Beltline and Possibly on Avenue tomorrow morning, beginning at 11. City Councilman Matt Westmoreland would present Randolph with the official proclamation in front of family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders. In a statement, Westmoreland wrote, quote, the Beltline was envisioned as a place that connects Atlanta's neighborhoods, but as people like Kevin who truly bring that vision to life. Kenny Murr, W.A.E. News.

That's it for the brief. More local news is always available online at wabe.org. Melissa Fato is our editor. In for Jim Burris. I'm Christopher Alston. Amplifying Atlanta. This is W.A.B. Thanks for listening. At WABE Radio Atlanta's home for NPR, we help businesses connect with Atlanta's most educated, affluent, and influential audiences. From broadcast radio to podcasts, live audio streams, and e-newsletters, WABE Atlanta offers creative, multi-platform solutions designed to grow your brand and expand your reach. If you want to elevate your marketing strategy, now is the time to include WABE Atlanta and your plans. Learn more at WABE.org slash underwriting. The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years. This is open in your face. How are there no answers? Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police. Did police ever call you? Not once. Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series on the Embedded podcast from NPR.