Newton Citizen

TENNILLE -- As Christmas Day falls on Tuesday this year, the Georgia Department of Transportation anticipates more travelers than usual during the holiday week. To help make Christmas travel merrier, Georgia DOT will suspend construction-related lane closures on all interstates and major state routes from 5 p.m. Friday through midnight Tuesday, January 1.

Motorists are reminded incident management and/or emergency maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary on any route at any time and crews may still be working. Also be reminded, heavy equipment may remain staged in close proximity to highways and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures remain in place. Exercise caution as heavy traffic is expected throughout the state, expect congestion near malls and retail centers throughout the week.

Check the maps on www.georgia-navigator.com for current road conditions, or call 511 on any phone for free, real-time traffic information. Traveler information is also available at www.511ga.org and a toll-free number for callers from outside the state, 1-877-MYGA511 (1-877-694-2511).

Georgia 511 provides statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and estimated travel times within metro Atlanta. Additionally, 511 callers can access transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, Georgia tourism information and 511 systems in neighboring states.

For those preparing to fly, 511 connects callers to airports in Atlanta and Savannah for information on parking, delays or connections to carriers. An automated voice recognition system guides the service, but callers can also reach live operators to report accidents or congestion, request HERO assistance or obtain additional information.