GEORGIA - Georgia Department of Transportation continues its brining efforts ahead of the potential winter weather heading into the state today from the west. Crews have been pre-treating major interstates, state routes, overpasses and bridges in the metro Atlanta area and across the state since early Monday morning.

In anticipation of possible inclement weather, and in an abundance of caution, the Interstate 75 South Metro Express Lanes will close in both directions beginning at 11 a.m. and the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes will close in both directions beginning at 11:30 a.m.

As the inclement weather pushes into the state throughout the day, GDOT crews will continue their progress in spreading a brine mixture on the roadways to help prevent or limit the build-up of ice amid the expected frigid temperatures. As of this morning and during the overnight hours, Georgia DOT has applied a total of more than 565,467 gallons of brine to 14,478 lane miles in pre-treating efforts thus far.

GDOT crews will continue to monitor roadways, overpasses and bridges throughout the day and into the evening for hotspot areas and the need for additional treatment to areas as temperatures drop heading into Wednesday morning.  

Georgia DOT urges travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, and reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.