Georgia Department of Transportation officials encourage fans to plan ahead, because of expected traffic delays, to travel to the Clemson University vs. University of Alabama football game Saturday.

But visitors to Atlanta will be able to travel to major event venues, including the Georgia Dome for the football game, over the holiday weekend, officials said. The traffic delays are expected to result from the major interstate reconstruction project near the southbound merge of interstates 85 and 75.

Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, traffic flow on I-85 southbound will be reduced to two lanes near the road’s merger with I-75, and traffic on I-75 will be reduced to one lane at the same merger. The work is scheduled to continue until 5 a.m. Sept. 2, according to a transportation department news release. Extremely heavy traffic congestion is expected on I-85 and I-75 north of and through downtown Atlanta.

More than 140,000 people are expected to attend events in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, including the Alabama-Clemson game and, on Sept. 1, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Marching Bands competition. More than 350,000 motorists are expected to travel on interstates in Atlanta over the holiday weekend, with the heaviest traffic expected Friday and Monday, according to the release.

In preparation, the transportation department is arranging for set up of additional digital highway message signs; assigning additional off-duty police officers at key intersections to assist with traffic control; and increasing the number of highway emergency response operators patrolling interstates 85, 75, 285 and 20.

“We recognize that many motorists are coming into town from out of state,” said Metro Atlanta District Engineer Bryant Poole, according to the release. “We recommend they plan ahead, give extra travel time and follow our message signs.”

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the southbound merge of interstates 75 and 85 by taking I-285 to I-20. Digital highway message signs will provide information regarding travel times and alternate routes.

Transportation department officials recommend that travelers call 511 for up-to-date information about construction projects on interstates and Georgia state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information.

For $1.75 each way, customers can take the MARTA rail line in Atlanta to the Georgia Dome for the Clemson-Alabama game. Customers can purchase round-trip fares, daily passes or multi-day visitor passes from any of MARTA’s 38 train stations, according to a MARTA news release.

Train services runs from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Parking for less than 24 hours is free at all MARTA parking facilities, and MARTA makes more than 25,000 free daily parking spaces available. To access a list of MARTA’s daily parking lot locations, visit itsmarta.com or call the customer information line for the rapid transit system at (404) 848-5000.

Elsewhere on I-85, the rest area at mile maker 17.5 northbound of that road in Anderson County is set to close for renovation starting at 8 a.m. today. The rest area is scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. Friday. Motorists are advised to use caution in the vicinity of the rest area.