Atlanta Mayor Reed: Traffic after I-85 collapse will be worse Monday

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said Friday that he was worried people would underestimate the extent of Monday's traffic issues, after a relatively light week on the roads following the collapse of a portion of I-85.

Reed estimated travel times would increase by 30 percent Monday, after metro Atlanta schools that were off for spring break are back in session. He urged businesses to let their workers telecommute, and encouraged staggered start times for workers. The city of Atlanta will have a delayed start time of 10 a.m. for all non-essential employees.

“We are not in a business-as-usual situation,” Reed said.

He said MARTA trains would be running every six minutes during rush hour. Reed "strongly" encouraged commuters to use transit, or telecommute.

For those who have to drive on Monday, Reed urged them to make sure their gas tanks were full.

“We’re really concerned about people being stranded on highways,” he said. “Without a full tank of gas, you’re putting yourself in jeopardy.”