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ATLANTA - Georgia DOT announced today the reopening of the Sidney Lanier Bridge after Hurricane Ian skirted the coast but left no major damage. Individuals who evacuated from the storm are encouraged to drive safely and be mindful of current conditions as they start their journey home.
All lane closure restrictions put in place on Interstates 75, 16, and 95 will be lifted today and construction partners will be allowed to return to work beginning tomorrow, Saturday, October 1. All rest areas and Welcome Centers that were converted to 24/7 operations in South and Coastal Georgia will resume normal operating hours today. The South Metro Express Lanes will return to normal operations today as well. The Georgia Express Lanes system does accept Florida SunPass and North Carolina Quick Pass.
Although Hurricane Ian had no major impacts on the state, Georgia DOT worked hand-in-hand with its counterparts from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the Georgia State Patrol among others to prepare for the storm and were ready to react should Ian have brought the type of devastation to Georgia that it wreaked on Florida.
Crews were staged and prepared to address residual damage from the hurricane as soon as weather conditions cleared. Bridge inspection teams were deployed immediately after the storm had passed to inspect the Sidney Lanier Bridge to ensure it was safe to reopen this morning.
Everyone has a part to play, including the residents who will be potentially impacted during a major storm. Thankfully our state was spared this time. The close partnership between Georgia’s state agencies and the plans put into place and practiced each time a threat looms helps ensure the safety and security of Georgians and those taking shelter here.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. Particularly in times of crisis, Georgia DOT stands at the ready to serve the public.