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Heading to the ATL? Read this...
Posted August 30, 2008
In about 12 hours, I'm headed out the door to Atlanta and the much-anticipated Clemson-Alabama 2008 season opener. I'll try to file a blog or two from the Georgia Dome, but probably not much in the way of live-blogging the game because I'll be pressed for time with the 8 p.m. kickoff.
Wanted to pass along a couple of tips, though, for a happy day in the ATL, if you were lucky enough to get tickets.
First of all, traffic, traffic, traffic. I can't stress enough that you should leave early because of major construction on I-85 and the downtown I-85/75 connector in the city.
The fine folks at the Chick-fil-A Bowl sent out the following release earlier this week.... learn it, love it. Sounds like Centennial Park will be hopping Saturday.
Lots of fun stuff to do. And if you're the sports-bar type, a place called STATS on Marietta Street is excellent, with great HD flat-screens all over for the college FB action. The CFA Bowl folks held a party there in December for us media types, and a good time was had by all. Check it out.
All right, here's the full release.....
ARRIVE EARLY
Please plan to arrive very early to the downtown area to avoid excessive delays. Fans can enjoy a day filled with activities in Centennial Olympic Park including ESPN’s College GameDay from 10 a.m. to noon and fan areas from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Visit www.Chick-fil-ABowl.com
· RIDE THE TRAIN INTO DOWNTOWN
Motorists traveling into the city for game day events are strongly urged to park at an outlying MARTA station and ride the train into downtown to avoid the construction zone. Consult the attached map for station location and exits. MARTA trains will drop you off rite outside the Georgia Dome.
· USE ALTERNATE ROUTES
If you are traveling by car and must drive into the downtown area, please use the suggested alternate routes, such as I-285 around the perimeter to avoid congested areas. Some delays are still expected on the alternate routes.
During the three-day Labor Day Weekend crews will tear out and rebuild sections of I-85 and I-75/I-85. The work will improve safety, sight distance and shift vehicle alignment into the final configuration for access onto the still-to-be-constructed 10th Street exit ramp. The new alignment also will provide a staging area to remove the east side of the 14th Street Bridge and rebuild the center bridge supports.
The lane closures are part of an $88.5 million reconstruction project at 14th Street in Midtown which began in spring 2007 and is expected to be completed in spring 2010. The bridge replacement project also features two new exit ramps from the Connector; southbound to 10th Street and northbound to 17th Street.
Beginning at 9 p.m., Friday, August 29:
I-85 southbound will be reduced to two lanes near its merge with I-75, and
I-75 southbound will be reduced to one lane at this merge.
This work will continue until 5 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2. Extremely heavy congestion is anticipated on both I-85 and I-75 SB north of and through downtown Atlanta.
“There’s no sugar-coating the challenging traffic situation, but we’re doing everything we can to reduce the inconvenience to the fans coming in for the game,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president. “We have an entire day of great fan events in Centennial Olympic Park, so we urge everyone to arrive early, follow the transportation plan and gear up for a great day of football.”
The Chick-fil-A Bowl and ESPN have teamed up to create the ultimate college football season kickoff event, and all fans are invited. On Saturday, Aug. 30, the Chick-fil-A Bowl and ESPN will open Centennial Olympic Park for a day-long celebration of the 2008 season, and the event is free to the public.
ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will get the day started at 10 a.m. with the country’s most popular live college football show. From noon to 6 p.m., fans can enjoy two entertainment areas designed to keep the excitement building up to kickoff.
The ESPN Kickoff Week Festival presented by Gillette and the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff FanZone presented by Coca-Cola Zero will feature interactive games and other activities where fans can eat, drink, pass and kick away the hours prior to the game while experiencing the ESPN-branded entertainment that follows the GameDay crew around the country. The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff game between Alabama and Clemson begins at 8 p.m. EDT and will be the Saturday Night Football telecast on ABC.
Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also 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
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Web site (www.dot.ga.gov
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