Full Notification

Forget the snow and worry about the trucks.

The state government will be implementing a plan tomorrow that routes big rigs off of I-85 and down 441 South through Oconee County.

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Georgia Department of Public Safety
- Motor Carrier Compliance Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2014

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR CARRIER OFFICERS WARNING COMMERCIAL DRIVERS OF APPROACHING WINTER STORM

Officers with the Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Georgia Department of Public Safety are warning commercial motor vehicle drivers today of the approaching winter storm and providing travel safety tips at the state’s inspection stations. MCCD officers are providing each driver with information and education materials as they pass through inspection stations.

“All trucks entering Georgia are required to pass through the inspection stations (100% pull-in) until further notice and our officers are handing each driver printed materials,” MCCD Commander Major Gene Davis said. Officers are also distributing the weather and travel information at truck and fuel stops throughout the state, as well as interstate rest areas and the welcome centers. “We have also partnered with the Georgia Motor Trucking Association (GMTA) and other trucking industry groups to relay the information,” he added.

The information includes:

- A copy of the weather advisory for the state;
- A reminder to drivers that thru-truck-traffic is not allowed inside the I-285 perimeter of Atlanta unless there is a pick-up or delivery to or from a shipper physically located inside I-285; going to or from a repair facility for service which is physically located inside I-285; or a driver going to or from their residence located inside the perimeter.
- Information concerning Georgia law that operators of commercial vehicles (other than buses) with four or more drive wheels traveling on a road declared as limited access due to inclement weather shall affix tire chains to at least four of the drive wheel tires. Bus operators shall affix tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires before proceeding on a road with limited access due to inclement weather conditions.

Motor Carrier Compliance officers are encouraging commercial vehicle drivers to monitor local weather and road conditions from local AM/FM radio stations where they will be traveling as conditions can change quickly.

Drivers are also being encouraged to plan an alternate route of travel around affected areas should conditions worsen.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION:
Per the Department of Public Safety's contingency plan, these strategic routes will be used to re-route non-Atlanta bound commercial truck traffic around metro Atlanta.

From I-85 south, traffic will be re-routed at US 441 (exit 149) south towards Athens and continuing toward I-20.

From I-20, traffic should continue south on US 441 to Dublin to get to I-16.

From I-20, traffic should continue south on US 441 to Highway 129 south to Macon.

From I-20, traffic should continue south on Highway 83 and west from Monticello on Highway 16 past Jackson to I-75. Continue on Highway 16 west past Griffin and Senoia to I-85.

On I-75 south, traffic will be re-routed at Exit 317 near Calhoun to take Highway 53 south toward Rome. From Rome, continue on Highway 27 south through Cedartown and Buchanan and Highway 27 will cross I-20 at exit 11. Continue south to Carrollton and take Highway 16 southeast to pick up I-85. Continue south toward LaGrange on I-85 to pick up I-185. From Highway 16, travel east past I-85 toward Griffin to pick up I-75.

A further alternate route will be to take I-20 west to Augusta. From Augusta, take Highway 25 south past Waynesboro, Millen and Statesboro to pick up I-16 and travel east to I-95. From I-95, travel south toward Brunswick, continuing past Kingsland into Florida where traffic can pick up I-10 west from Jacksonville.

For more information visit: http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/alternate-truck-route/