CHESTERFIELD COUNTY — As part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) on-going efforts to improve traffic flow in construction zones, motorists traveling along Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County now have a way to hear about lane closures and construction activities associated with the Route 360 widening project.

Motorists located up to three miles from the construction area can tune into VDOT’s Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) from their home, office or vehicle using frequency 1610 AM (WPDF), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information will be updated on Fridays for the following week’s activities. “This is an excellent opportunity to increase communication with motorists,” said Chesterfield Area Construction Engineer Scott Fisher, P.E. “When motorists are more informed, they can make better decisions, which will ultimately make them safer drivers.”

There are two types of Highway Advisory Radios—mobile and permanent. Both types are strategically located either along the interstate or near major construction projects. Motorists are directed to tune into HAR via a message display board. The permanent HARs are typically located on the interstate and can be updated instantly during an emergency, like a hurricane evacuation, or major traffic incident. In the Richmond area, permanent HARs are located at:

• New Kent - I-64 east @ mm 205 (Bottoms Bridge); eastbound and westbound beacons
• Goochland - I-64 east @ mm 167; eastbound beacon
• Ashland - I-95 south @ mm 92 (Exit 92/Route 54); southbound beacon
• Chester - I-95 south @ mm 61 (Exit 61/Route 10); southbound and northbound beacons
• Carson - I-95 south @ mm 40 (Carson truck scales); northbound beacon

VDOT has one mobile trailer HAR unit, which can be moved from project to project as needed. In addition to the Route 360 widening project, mobile HARs have been used for the following projects:

• I-95 Atlee Elmont interchange
• I-95 7th Street bridge repairs
• I-64 pavement overlay in eastern Henrico County

With over 70,000 vehicles using this section of Hull Street Road each day, this project was an ideal opportunity for HAR. “VDOT is constantly trying to offer motorists innovative and effective communication tools,” said Fisher. “We understand that everyone’s time is valuable. The more options motorists have to receive traffic information, the less time they will spend sitting in traffic.”

Chesterfield County is administering the Hull Street Road widening project, which is expected to be complete by early fall.

In addition to HAR, motorists can also call 511 or visit the 511 Web site for statewide, real-time access to road conditions.

More information about VDOT’s Highway Advisory Radio system and programs to improve driver’s experiences

More information about the Hull Street Road widening project

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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.

Page last modified: Jan. 29, 2008