Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced ongoing traffic shifts on Ga. Highway 142 from Industrial Boulevard to Hazelbrand Road. These shifts will occur on the following dates, weather permitting:

· Beginning Monday at 8:30 a.m., the Interstate 20 westbound off-ramp to Ga. Highway 142 will be closed to traffic. This closure will last until March 9.

· Beginning March 7, at 8:30 a.m., the I-20 eastbound on-ramp will be closed to traffic. This closure will last until March 9.

· Beginning March 9, traffic on Ga. 142 will be shifted from the Industrial Boulevard across the new I-20 bridge to Hazelbrand Road.

· Beginning March 9, after traffic is shifted on Ga. Highway 142, the I-20 westbound on-ramp will be closed to traffic for approximately 10 days.

This series of traffic events is necessary to facilitate traffic to the new bridge over I-20 and will enable the contractor to proceed with constructing the remainder of the bridge.

All ramp closures will have signed detours. As with all road construction, motorists are advised to use extra caution in construction work zones.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.