Georgia Launches 511 Traffic Information Service

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Department of Transportation today launched Georgia 511, a new statewide phone service providing free traffic and travel information to commuters and travelers.

“We continue to look for ways to make state government more accessible and customer friendly,” said Governor Perdue, who officially declared Georgia 511 open for business. “The new Georgia 511 service will connect motorists to information needed to avoid a construction zone, find a destination or discover a way around a traffic jam.”

Georgia 511 provides an extensive menu of options available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers connect to the system by simply dialing 5-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone. The service provides statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and details on road or lane closures due to construction, incidents or weather. Estimated travel times are available for major roads within the metro-Atlanta area. Additionally, connections are available to transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, tourism information and 511 systems in neighboring states.

An automated voice recognition system guides callers through the service. Callers can also access live operators at the Transportation Management Center to report accidents, request HERO assistance or obtain additional information.

“This state-of-the-art system will benefit travelers from across the state as well as those traveling to our state,” said Georgia DOT Commission Harold Linnenkohl, who hosted today’s launch event with Governor Perdue at GDOT’s Transportation Management Center in Southeast Atlanta. “While the technology behind the system is highly advanced, callers will experience a simple, user-friendly service that will be a model to the rest of the nation.”

Georgia 511 has launched a companion website at www.511ga.org and a toll-free number for callers from outside the state, 1-877-MYGA511.