8-hr investigation likely on I-285 East

ajc.com

Credit: Andria Brooks

Credit: Andria Brooks

ajc.com

Credit: Andria Brooks

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Credit: Andria Brooks

Authorities say it may be eight hours before they can complete an investigation into the small plane crash on I-285 that occurred at 10 a.m. Friday.

I-285 is closed between Ashford Dunwoody and Chamblee Tucker. Eastbound I-285 traffic is being diverted at exit No. 29 (Ashford Dunwoody Road). Motorists can re-enter the interstate at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Traffic on westbound I-285 is closed at exit No. 34 (Chamblee Tucker Road). Westbound motorists can re-enter at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Westbound lanes remained closed shortly before noon. However, GDOT spokeswoman Annalysce Baker-Wilson said that westbound traffic lanes are expected to reopen by around 1:30 p.m.

Georgia State Patrol has developed a detailed traffic plan for those traveling in northern Atlanta.

Traffic traveling North/Southbound on I-85 will continue north or southbound and will not be able to exit westbound on to 285. Traffic will be allowed to exit I-85 at I-285 to travel east on 285 at spaghetti junction.

Traffic traveling on I-285 between I-75 and GA 400 will be routed onto GA 400 North and South.

Traffic on GA 400 will be allowed to travel north and south on GA 400 or 285 west.

Travelers on I-20 are encouraged to avoid the I-285 top-end Perimeter.

Georgia Department of Transportation has put up information on its overhead message boards around the Atlanta region warning drivers of the accident and resulting delays. As of about 11:30 a.m., westbound traffic on I-285 was backed up to about LaVista Road. Traffic heading eastbound was backed up to about Riverside Parkway.

GDOT said traffic is also backing up on nearby arterial roads. National Transportation Safety Administration will be the lead investigating agency on the plane crash. NTSB officials were still making their way to the scene at about noon Friday, said GDOT spokeswoman Karlene Barron.