Trucking News · Georgia · October 24, 2026

Georgia DOT Blames Trucks for I-285 Gridlock as Drivers Point to Signs

Several semi trucks moving slowly on a wide city interstate with orange construction barrels and a downtown skyline in the distance — Illustration for this story. Not a photo of a specific location.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says truck drivers ignoring posted detours were a major reason a full closure of Interstate 285 in Smyrna turned into gridlock. Trucking sources say some of those drivers were confused, and that there was not enough detour signage to guide them.

The back and forth was reported Oct. 23 by 11Alive and CDL Life, just as another full closure of I-285 was getting started on Atlanta's Westside.

The Smyrna closure

According to 11Alive, I-285 was fully shut down in Smyrna for construction the weekend before Oct. 23, and the traffic spilled onto surrounding roads. Residents in the Cumberland area told the station they felt trapped by gridlock. One resident said it took about 30 minutes to travel just a half mile.

According to GDOT, as reported by 11Alive, a major factor was tractor-trailer drivers ignoring posted detours and trying to travel through the area instead.

What trucking sources say

Trucking sources told 11Alive that some drivers were confused for a simple reason: trucks are not normally allowed inside I-285 unless they are making deliveries.

The sources also said they did not feel there was enough signage on southbound I-75 telling trucks to head into Downtown Atlanta and take the I-75/85 Connector. CDL Life described them as local trucking leaders who believe there is not enough posted signage to properly direct truck drivers to that detour.

In other words, the detour sent trucks toward the part of the city where they are usually told not to go, and the sources say there were not enough signs to make that clear. The trucking sources were not named in either report.

What GDOT says it is changing

GDOT told 11Alive it is working with the Georgia Trucking Association on three things:

Better messaging to freight companies in different states
More signage for the proper detours
Better coordination with local law enforcement

The Westside closure, Oct. 23 to Oct. 26

The newest closure covers I-285 in both directions between Cascade Road (Exit 7) and Highway 166 (Exit 5) on Atlanta's Westside. According to 11Alive, it began after 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and all lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26. The station says it is the ninth full closure of the corridor since the spring.

GDOT is directing drivers to avoid the area and use regional routes. The suggested detour is I-20 or Highway 166 into Downtown Atlanta, then the I-75/85 Connector to continue north or south through the city.

11Alive also noted that traffic could be heavier than usual on Saturday, Oct. 24, with the Atlanta Dream playing Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena that afternoon and the Atlanta Hawks home opener that night. The station suggested commuters heading downtown use MARTA when possible and allow extra travel time.