Motorists navigating the DeKalb area are gearing up for a significant disruption as North Druid Hills Road shuts down for a three-month period starting this Friday. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has slated a bridge reconstruction project that will impact the stretch of road between Buford Highway and Interstate 85, as detailed in a FOX 5 Atlanta report.

The undertaking is part of a broader initiative to improve the I-85/North Druid Hills Road interchange, with the aging bridge over the North Fork Peachtree Creek due for a much-needed overhaul. The closure is set to begin at 9 p.m., causing drivers to face a 5-mile detour around a construction zone. Furthermore, traffic control at the intersection of North Druid Hills Road and West Druid Hills Drive will now be managed with stop signs due to the single-lane reduction, with additional lane closures affecting the I-85 southbound Frontage Road.

Despite the expected traffic snarls, the project is designed to yield long-term benefits. The new bridge will feature wider lanes, improved sidewalks and ADA-compliant ramps at crosswalks, hopes to enhance safety and accessibility for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic upon completion.

Commuters and local businesses are bracing for the roadwork's ripple effects. According to a WSB-TV interview with Josiah Oakley, "I know how much traffic comes through that corridor. For three month? That’s terrible for commuters. It’s terrible for people trying to get into the city and get into Buckhead from here." Yet, GDOT sticks by their plan, with Natalie Dale emphasizing the efficiency of the full closure: "Ninety days of a full closure, that allows us to do it quickly," she stated, noting the expedience in finishing the job.

Access to properties and exits in the immediate vicinity of the bridge will remain open, ensuring that adjacent businesses, such as a local gas station and car wash, can still be reached from North Druid Hills Road. The traffic concern is evident among the locals, as Aisha Johnson, who will now face a longer detour on her way to work, mentioned to WSB-TV, "I guess we’ll make it some kind of way. I’m just glad I know the back roads. And people need to learn the back roads."

Officials are encouraging motorists affected by the closure to plan ahead, ensuring minimal disruption to their daily commute during the three-month construction period.