| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Shannon N Marshall . (804) 371-6844 Shannon.Marshall@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
CO-0740 Aug. 29, 2007 |
LANE CLOSURES LIFTED FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Long-Term Construction Zones to Remain in Place
RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will help ease Labor Day weekend traffic by opening lanes that would have been temporarily closed for construction or maintenance work on major highways. Generally, the lanes will be clear from noon Friday, Aug. 31, until noon Tuesday, Sept. 4. Long-term construction zones with concrete barriers and orange barrels will remain in place.
Motorists should wear their seat belts. Half of all motorists who die in crashes are not wearing their seat belts. Motorists also should pay special attention in highway work zones and obey posted speed limits. Speeding in a work zone can bring a $500 fine.
Motorists also should be aware of Highway Safety Corridors. They are located on Interstate 81 in Salem and on Interstate 95 in Richmond and Northern Virginia. Highway Safety Corridors are sections of the interstates with high crash rates and crash severity, including injuries and fatalities. Motorists should proceed with caution and obey speed limits in these areas. Motorists who speed, tailgate or drive recklessly could be fined up to $2,500.
The following traffic and traveler services are available to motorists to help make their travels safer and easier:
511 Virginia is a one-stop traffic information center where motorists can find out the latest information about road conditions, construction delays and other incidents that will impact their travels. VDOT recently upgraded its 511 phone system to reflect improvements suggested from users. The new system offers improved voice-recognition software, a better menu structure to make traffic information easier to find and new features such as bridge and tunnel information. You can access 511 Virginia by dialing 511 from your phone or visiting 511Virginia.org.
Callers outside Virginia can access 511 by dialing (866) MY511VA [(866) 695-1182].
Other online travel assistance - For information on road construction, incidents and to view live traffic cameras, visit VDOT’s Travel Center at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel.
E-ZPass Virginia’s electronic toll collection system is part of the E-ZPass network.
E-ZPass customers may use their transponders at toll facilities in: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information on E-ZPass Virginia, visit www.ezpassva.com.
VDOT Highway Helpline – Motorists traveling on Virginia’s highways can call (800) 367-ROAD to report problems or unsafe conditions on roads, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VDOT Safety Service Patrols respond to crashes and help provide traffic control. They also provide basic automobile repair and first aid. The patrols operate on major highways in the Charlottesville, Frederick County, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Shenandoah County, Staunton and Augusta County areas.
The following are work zones that may pose temporary delays for travelers:
Bristol
Interstate 77/I-81 overlap: Be alert to the possibility of slowed or stopped traffic in this area of Wythe County due to expected high traffic volumes.
Interstate 77 East River and Big Walker Mountain tunnels: Be alert for delays due to restoration projects at both tunnels.
Hampton Roads
Interstate 64 HOV lanes: HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-64 for the Labor Day holiday weekend starting Friday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. The reversible roadway will be open to all eastbound traffic from Friday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. until Sunday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. The reversible roadway will be open to all westbound traffic from Sunday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6 a.m. HOV lanes will resume a normal HOV-2 schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6 a.m.
Note: HOV lane directions may shift throughout the holiday weekend, depending on road conditions and traffic volume.
Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel: Motorists going to Virginia Beach may want to use the Interstate 664 Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) instead of I-64’s Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The MMMBT is often less congested.
Interstate 64 Chesapeake (Exits 289-291): Construction is under way on the Battlefield Boulevard project. While there will be no temporary lane closures during the holiday weekend, motorists should expect delays between Greenbrier Parkway and Battlefield Boulevard. VDOT lifted the HOV restriction on I-64 eastbound from Indian River Road to Battlefield Boulevard. This lane is now open to all vehicles traveling through the project during all travel times. Visit www.i64info.com for the latest information on the project.
Outer Banks: Motorists heading to the Outer Banks may want to take I-664 and the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel to avoid I-64/Battlefield Boulevard construction in Chesapeake.
The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will operate on an extended summer weekend schedule from Saturday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 3. The normal fall/winter/spring schedule will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Visit http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/ferry.asp for current schedule information.
Northern Virginia
All Capital Beltway work and lane closures will come to a halt on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project on Friday, Aug. 31 at noon and resume Tuesday, Sept. 4 at noon in Virginia, and Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. in Maryland.
Richmond
Interstate 295/I-64 flyover (western Henrico County): Expect 11-foot-wide travel lanes and concrete barriers along I-64 east and west between Route 288 (Exit 174) and I-295 (Exit 177). The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph in this work zone.
Interstate 295 South is restricted to one lane between the I-295/I-64 interchange (mile marker 53) and mile marker 52. Trucks carrying loads more than 12-feet wide are restricted from using I-295 North or South from I-64.
Interstate 295 South (Varina-Enon Bridge): The right shoulder will be closed at mile marker 18 on Friday, Aug. 31 until 3 p.m. for bridge repairs.
Interstate 95 North in Colonial Heights: The right shoulder is closed at the Temple Avenue interchange (mile marker 54). I-95 North motorists are encouraged to be alert to traffic merging onto the interstate from Temple Avenue.
Roanoke County
Route 220 Northbound Bridge Work: Work is under way to repair the northbound bridge over the Norfolk and Southern railroad tracks located about seven miles south of Roanoke, just north of the Roanoke/Franklin County line and Boones Mill. Traffic is reduced to one lane over the bridge, and the speed limit in the work zone is reduced to 45 mph. Vehicles wider than 13.5 feet are prohibited. Work is estimated to be complete in October.
Salem
Motorists traveling on Interstate 77 and Route 58 in Hillsville should expect possible congestion around Exit 14 due to the annual Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show. Route 58 in Hillsville will be extremely congested. People not attending the event are encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.
(END)
Note to Editors: For details about specific projects, please contact the district public affairs office for the project area. Those offices are listed here - http://www.virginiadot.org/news/mediacontacts.asp
Motorists should wear their seat belts. Half of all motorists who die in crashes are not wearing their seat belts. Motorists also should pay special attention in highway work zones and obey posted speed limits. Speeding in a work zone can bring a $500 fine.
Motorists also should be aware of Highway Safety Corridors. They are located on Interstate 81 in Salem and on Interstate 95 in Richmond and Northern Virginia. Highway Safety Corridors are sections of the interstates with high crash rates and crash severity, including injuries and fatalities. Motorists should proceed with caution and obey speed limits in these areas. Motorists who speed, tailgate or drive recklessly could be fined up to $2,500.
The following traffic and traveler services are available to motorists to help make their travels safer and easier:
511 Virginia is a one-stop traffic information center where motorists can find out the latest information about road conditions, construction delays and other incidents that will impact their travels. VDOT recently upgraded its 511 phone system to reflect improvements suggested from users. The new system offers improved voice-recognition software, a better menu structure to make traffic information easier to find and new features such as bridge and tunnel information. You can access 511 Virginia by dialing 511 from your phone or visiting 511Virginia.org.
Callers outside Virginia can access 511 by dialing (866) MY511VA [(866) 695-1182].
Other online travel assistance - For information on road construction, incidents and to view live traffic cameras, visit VDOT’s Travel Center at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel.
E-ZPass Virginia’s electronic toll collection system is part of the E-ZPass network.
E-ZPass customers may use their transponders at toll facilities in: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information on E-ZPass Virginia, visit www.ezpassva.com.
VDOT Highway Helpline – Motorists traveling on Virginia’s highways can call (800) 367-ROAD to report problems or unsafe conditions on roads, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VDOT Safety Service Patrols respond to crashes and help provide traffic control. They also provide basic automobile repair and first aid. The patrols operate on major highways in the Charlottesville, Frederick County, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Shenandoah County, Staunton and Augusta County areas.
The following are work zones that may pose temporary delays for travelers:
Bristol
Interstate 77/I-81 overlap: Be alert to the possibility of slowed or stopped traffic in this area of Wythe County due to expected high traffic volumes.
Interstate 77 East River and Big Walker Mountain tunnels: Be alert for delays due to restoration projects at both tunnels.
Hampton Roads
Interstate 64 HOV lanes: HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-64 for the Labor Day holiday weekend starting Friday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. The reversible roadway will be open to all eastbound traffic from Friday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. until Sunday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. The reversible roadway will be open to all westbound traffic from Sunday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6 a.m. HOV lanes will resume a normal HOV-2 schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6 a.m.
Note: HOV lane directions may shift throughout the holiday weekend, depending on road conditions and traffic volume.
Interstate 64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel: Motorists going to Virginia Beach may want to use the Interstate 664 Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) instead of I-64’s Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The MMMBT is often less congested.
Interstate 64 Chesapeake (Exits 289-291): Construction is under way on the Battlefield Boulevard project. While there will be no temporary lane closures during the holiday weekend, motorists should expect delays between Greenbrier Parkway and Battlefield Boulevard. VDOT lifted the HOV restriction on I-64 eastbound from Indian River Road to Battlefield Boulevard. This lane is now open to all vehicles traveling through the project during all travel times. Visit www.i64info.com for the latest information on the project.
Outer Banks: Motorists heading to the Outer Banks may want to take I-664 and the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel to avoid I-64/Battlefield Boulevard construction in Chesapeake.
The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will operate on an extended summer weekend schedule from Saturday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 3. The normal fall/winter/spring schedule will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Visit http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/ferry.asp for current schedule information.
Northern Virginia
All Capital Beltway work and lane closures will come to a halt on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project on Friday, Aug. 31 at noon and resume Tuesday, Sept. 4 at noon in Virginia, and Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. in Maryland.
Richmond
Interstate 295/I-64 flyover (western Henrico County): Expect 11-foot-wide travel lanes and concrete barriers along I-64 east and west between Route 288 (Exit 174) and I-295 (Exit 177). The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph in this work zone.
Interstate 295 South is restricted to one lane between the I-295/I-64 interchange (mile marker 53) and mile marker 52. Trucks carrying loads more than 12-feet wide are restricted from using I-295 North or South from I-64.
Interstate 295 South (Varina-Enon Bridge): The right shoulder will be closed at mile marker 18 on Friday, Aug. 31 until 3 p.m. for bridge repairs.
Interstate 95 North in Colonial Heights: The right shoulder is closed at the Temple Avenue interchange (mile marker 54). I-95 North motorists are encouraged to be alert to traffic merging onto the interstate from Temple Avenue.
Roanoke County
Route 220 Northbound Bridge Work: Work is under way to repair the northbound bridge over the Norfolk and Southern railroad tracks located about seven miles south of Roanoke, just north of the Roanoke/Franklin County line and Boones Mill. Traffic is reduced to one lane over the bridge, and the speed limit in the work zone is reduced to 45 mph. Vehicles wider than 13.5 feet are prohibited. Work is estimated to be complete in October.
Salem
Motorists traveling on Interstate 77 and Route 58 in Hillsville should expect possible congestion around Exit 14 due to the annual Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show. Route 58 in Hillsville will be extremely congested. People not attending the event are encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.
(END)
Note to Editors: For details about specific projects, please contact the district public affairs office for the project area. Those offices are listed here - http://www.virginiadot.org/news/mediacontacts.asp
Page last modified: Aug. 29, 2007
