Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- With a mid-week Christmas holiday, transportation officials say there could be even more people on the roads than usual during the holiday week.

In annual merry fashion, the Georgia Department of Transportation has suspended all construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes to keep the streets bustling.

The suspension will go on for nearly two weeks, beginning 5 p.m. Friday and continuing through midnight Tuesday, Jan. 1.

But heavy equipment could remain near the highways, and crews could continue to work. Plus, safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. And the DOT warned that emergencies could occur that make incident management or lane closures necessary.

"Exercise caution as heavy traffic is expected throughout the state, expect congestion near malls and retail centers throughout the week," a DOT press release said.

Drivers can check on up-to-date traffic information, including accidents and weather conditions, and event check flight information, with the free 511 phone service or by going to www.511ga.org.