Traveler Services and Work Zone Info

RICHMOND, Dec. 22, 2005 – Before travelers go over the river and through the woods, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reminds them to use 511 Virginia to help schedule and navigate their trips.

With holiday traffic expected to increase on Virginia’s roadways in the coming days, motorists can call one number - 511 - or go to www.511Virginia.org - to get a wide range of information on their travel needs. The 511 system has the latest information on weather conditions, road construction and traffic incidents as well as lodging, food, gas and more.

“VDOT has improved the 511 system by increasing the number of calls that can be taken at one time,” said Connie Sorrell, chief of system operations for VDOT. “The system has nearly doubled the available ports to take calls. 511 Virginia has grown substantially and took its one millionth caller this month.”

Sorrell added that during the six-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period, 511 Virginia received more than 42,000 calls, or about 7,000 calls per day. This is an increase of approximately 4,000 calls per day compared to the rest of the year.

Virginia activated the 511 service on the I-81 corridor in February 2004. The system became available on all Virginia interstates a year later. Major primary routes were added last August. Virginia’s 511 system provides travel information for a total of 98 roads.

Callers also can transfer to the Kentucky and North Carolina 511 telephone services for travel information in both states. The 511 service is available in 23 states, including Virginia.

Outside Virginia, 511 Virginia can be accessed by calling 1-800-578-4111.

For the latest information on other traveler services and work zones to watch out for this holiday season go to http://www.virginiadot.org/news/newsrelease.asp?ID=CO-christmas05



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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. 18, 2008