(WSB Traffic Center) -- The Georgia Department of Transportation is advising motorists that July 4th holiday traffic around metro Atlanta could be a challenge.

"Traditionally the day before is heavy but a lot of state and federal agencies observe the holiday when it falls on the weekend like it does this year,"DOT spokesman Paul Marshall said. "So we don't expect Friday to be bad."

But Saturday traffic could be heavy with numerous holiday events scheduled around town, including the Peachtree Road Race. Tenth Street from Charles Allen Drive to Monroe Drive was closed to traffic Thursday morning and will reopen by 3 p.m. Saturday, according to the Atlanta Track Club.

Traffic on Friday afternoon began around 2:30 p.m., Marshall said.

DOT construction projects have been suspended on all roadways until 5 a.m. Monday to help relieve the congestion. However, permanent lane closures will remain in place on I-85 in Meriwether and Coweta counties, I-75 in South Georgia and I-95 on the coast.