GDOT: Atlanta overpass that appears to be splitting apart is actually safe

Credit: Screenshot via Twitter

Credit: Screenshot via Twitter

Atlantans are a little sensitive about the safety of the city's bridges after, you know, that little fire last March.

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So it's no surprise that when a photo circulating online seemingly showed a major Atlanta overpass breaking apart, it raised a few eyebrows. The photo, posted on Reddit early Thursday morning, shows a Spaghetti Junction overpass taken from I-85 south, according to the user who posted it.

On first glance, it’s a scary sight, since the bridge appears to have a major gap in it.

But frequent users of Spaghetti Junction can breathe a sigh of relief. Within a few hours Thursday morning, the Georgia Department of Transportation posted on Twitter and set the record straight.

According to GDOT, the bridge has an “expansion joint designed to expand and contract as needed.”

State officials said the joints are common design elements in bridges and general construction projects.

“The bridge is fine & is designed as it appears,” GDOT said. “Thanks for your concern!”

Members of the Atlanta Reddit channel had some humorous reactions to the picture.

“Just put a steel plate over it. It'll be fine,” one user wrote.

“Even if it's correct, it looks unsettling,” another person wrote.

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