ATLANTA, GA — A busy stretch of roadway was shut down snarling the commute on I-85 northbound Friday afternoon.

The Buford Spring Connector Northbound ramp that takes drivers onto I-85 North in northbound in northeast Atlanta was partially closed due to an investigation to look at cracks on the bridge.

Crews were out inspecting the road to try to figure out what was going on, but nonetheless, drivers could not exit from the Buford Spring Connector Northbound onto I-85 northbound.

Traffic that was already on the Buford Spring Connector was diverted up to Cheshire Bridge and Lenox Road, where commuters could make a right and access I-85 northbound.

Alex Williams from 95.5 WSB’s Traffic Team said there was significant congestion on the Buford Spring Connector all the way back to Peachtree Street when the ramp was first impacted.

Williams says GDOT has opened the left lane of the ramp Friday evening, so it became somewhat passable.

However, Williams also reported that motorists should expect intermittent full closures throughout the weekend for GDOT crews to perform necessary repairs.

Williams says the best way to avoid it if you’re trying to make your way out of downtown or Midtown, is to get on the downtown connector a little south of the area.

From there, drivers can make their way up to I-85 northbound.