Good news for Labor Day travelers: the Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending all scheduled and ongoing construction-related lane closures during the Labor Day weekend.

In an effort to ease traffic congestion throughout the long weekend, the suspension begins Friday, Aug. 31 at noon and continues until Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 5 a.m., according to the press release.

“We’ve averaged nearly 2,000 accidents across our state during recent Labor Day weekends,” Georgia DOT District Engineer, Bayne Smith said in a released statement.  “On average, more than 15 people die and more than 900 are injured on Georgia roads each year during this holiday.  It should be a time of rest and festivities dedicated to working men and women, not of tragedy and grief.  Please be very careful and do not drive distracted or while impaired.”

GDOT 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.