After months of construction, the new Sardis Road-Dawsonville Highway intersection opened Wednesday for use.
A new traffic signal is in place at the intersection, and a right turn lane is now in use from Sardis onto Dawsonville Highway.
"Next Monday the 19th, as we shift traffic over, the left turn lane will be reopened," said Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation. "We have adjusted the timing of the signal at Dawsonville Highway and Sardis to account for the loss of the left turn lane, but we do expect delays in the area until Monday when traffic scoots over and the new turn lane is opened."
Beginning Monday, traffic on Dawsonville Highway will be shifted over to the new lanes as crews begin upgrading the remaining lanes.
Both directions of traffic will use the two new lanes from Manor Ridge Drive to Stephens Circle.
"You may not even notice the traffic shift; you will be directed to scoot over onto the new lanes, said DOT board chairman Mike Evans. "Signs and pavement markings will direct you to drive on the new lanes. This lets us rebuild the ‘old' lanes of Dawsonville Highway."
The DOT also plans to keep all lanes open on interstates and state routes during Thanksgiving weekend.
"Lane closures will not be allowed over the Thanksgiving holiday," Pope said. "Lane closures on interstates and state routes for construction are prohibited from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 until midnight, Sunday the 25th. Work can still occur on projects, but it must be outside of the travel lanes; not impacting your drive."
The DOT is also including mandatory ‘no work' days on peak travel days around holidays into construction contracts.
"Even though we won't be working in the roads please make sure to slow down as many crashes in work zones occur while that work zone is not active," Evans said. "Also remember that all fines are doubled in work zones even when they aren't active. Speeding through a work zone can hurt you and your pocketbook."