If you've ever considered carpooling to work, now is probably the time to take the plunge. "Now" being the indefinite closure of a number of streets after a portion of I-85 collapsed near Piedmont Road on Thursday.
It will be especially important to carpool over the next few days, because the Georgia Department of Transportation has temporarily increased the number of people required to access the HOV lane — from two to three. That's right, you cannot use the lane unless you're carrying three people or more.
The drastic change in travel routes has already forced people to find alternative methods. Private online neighborhood forum NextDoor and other community apps may serve as an outlet to find commuting buddies until the situation is alleviated.
Georgia Commute Options, a GDOT program created in 1996, helps people find alternatives to driving alone.
In order to find people with similar routes to yours, create a profile that lists details such as your work address, work schedule and type of arrangements you're interested in (carpool, vanpool or cycling to work).
You’ll then see a map with potential carpool partners. Click on their name, and you can call or send an automated email, depending on what contact information is listed.
The site also lists transit routes, park-and-ride lots and construction news. You can see how to earn money for changing your ride practices as well.
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