If you drive southbound on SR 400 through Sandy Springs, your Exit 5 routine is about to change.
Weather permitting, Georgia Department of Transportation crews are preparing to close the existing southbound Exit 5 ramp pattern and shift drivers to two temporary exits beginning Saturday, August 29, as construction advances on the SR 400 Express Lanes project.
The change is happening south of Roswell and affects one of the most heavily traveled approaches into the Perimeter area. For North Fulton commuters, the important part is simple: the exit you have used for years may no longer be where you expect it to be.
What is changing at Exit 5?
- Temporary Exit 5B will serve the North Springs MARTA Station and is approximately 0.6 miles south of the current Exit 5 location.
- Temporary Exit 5A will serve Abernathy Road and Hammond Drive and is approximately 1.1 miles south of the current Exit 5 location.
- The existing southbound Exit 5 ramp pattern is being removed from service as Express Lanes construction continues.
That means drivers heading toward North Springs MARTA, Abernathy Road or Hammond Drive will need to watch for new signage and make their decision farther south than they may be used to.
Why is GDOT moving the exits?
The temporary configuration is tied to construction of the SR 400 Express Lanes project. The larger project is adding managed express lanes along the corridor and requires significant reconstruction around existing ramps, bridges, shoulders and roadway geometry.
This is not the final permanent Exit 5 layout. It is a construction-stage traffic pattern designed to keep access open while work progresses.
There are weekend lane closures too
GDOT has also identified overnight lane closures associated with the project for the August 28-30 weekend. The scheduled weekend closure window is 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., weather permitting. Construction schedules can move because of weather, field conditions or other operational issues, so drivers should check current 511GA and GDOT information before heading out.
What North Fulton drivers should do
- Do not rely only on muscle memory when approaching Exit 5 southbound.
- Watch carefully for the new 5B and 5A signage.
- Give yourself extra time during the first several days of the change.
- Expect navigation apps to take some time to fully reflect temporary traffic patterns.
- Check 511GA for real-time incidents and closures before leaving.
For Roswell, Alpharetta and Forsyth commuters, this is one of those construction changes that sounds small until you are in traffic and suddenly realize your exit is not where it used to be.
The bigger picture on SR 400
SR 400 is already in the middle of one of the largest transportation construction periods North Fulton has seen in years. Tree clearing, bridge work, ramp changes and lane shifts are all pieces of the broader Express Lanes program.
The most important distinction is that construction activity does not mean the entire Express Lanes system is opening now. The Exit 5 change is a temporary traffic adjustment during construction.
Bottom line
If you use SR 400 southbound, remember two numbers this weekend: 5B for North Springs MARTA and 5A for Abernathy Road and Hammond Drive. Watch the signs and expect the first few days of the new pattern to take some adjustment.
Sources
Georgia Department of Transportation SR 400 Express Lanes project information and current construction advisories. Drivers should verify real-time conditions through 511GA before travel because construction schedules may change.