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Atlanta’s new I-85 bridge: Is it safe?

Construction crews were seen installing road reflectors on Friday morning May 12, 2017 as last-minute preparations for the reopening of I-85 in Atlanta continued. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM
Construction crews were seen installing road reflectors on Friday morning May 12, 2017 as last-minute preparations for the reopening of I-85 in Atlanta continued. JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM
May 15, 2017

Six weeks ago, an elevated highway that carried hundreds of thousands of people a day lay in smoking ruins, and metro Atlanta residents despaired at what surely would be months of punishing commutes.

This morning, motorists are cruising over that section of I-85, which reopened over the weekend, leaving commuters to marvel at what looks like an engineering and construction miracle.

But experts say it’s no miracle. In fact, “accelerated bridge construction” isn’t even unusual. What’s more, it’s perfectly safe and should be used more often, they say.

Read the full story here.

About the Author

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

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