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I-85 northbound lanes reopen in Atlanta

Cars drive over the recently opened northbound lanes of I-85 in Atlanta on Friday evening, May 12, 2017. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Cars drive over the recently opened northbound lanes of I-85 in Atlanta on Friday evening, May 12, 2017. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC
By
May 13, 2017

The Georgia Department of Transportation has reopened the northbound lanes of I-85 in Atlanta.

The lanes opened about 7 p.m. Friday after workers finished the last preparations for opening those lanes. The southbound lanes are expected to open by Sunday.

The opening comes six weeks after I-85 burst into flames and collapsed near Piedmont Road. A homeless man, Basil Eleby, has been charged with setting the blaze. On Friday he asked the district attorney to drop the charges against him.

Since the March 30 collapse, I-85 has been closed in both directions from I-75 to Ga. 400. Contractor C.W. Matthews has worked around the clock since the collapse to rebuild the bridge – with a $3.1 million incentive for getting it done before the original June 15 completion date.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed lifted a ban on construction in the I-85 area.

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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