List of new roads     511 systems across country

*Note to newsrooms: See interview opportunities, photo and live shot locations for Labor Day travel at end of release

RICHMOND, August 30, 2005 – Just in time for Labor Day and back-to-school, Virginia’s 511 traffic and travel information phone system has expanded to include 55 new routes to the phone and Web site, www.511Virginia.org.

“The expanded 511 service will help drivers across Virginia make better travel decisions,” said Gregory A. Whirley, acting commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “By providing information on road and travel conditions, 511 helps travelers reach their destinations safer and quicker not only in Virginia, but in several states across the country.”

Travelers have access to road condition information on the additional routes just added to the system as well as on all interstates in Virginia. Nationally, 511 is available in 23 states and more states are set to deploy in the coming months.

Some of the major routes added to the 511 system in Virginia include the Fairfax County Parkway, the Prince William Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road in the Northern Virginia region and the Powhite Parkway and the Pocahontas Parkway in the Richmond region. Other major roads added statewide include routes 1, 5, 17, 29, 58, 201 and 288. For a complete list of the expanded coverage, click the Web link above.

Road condition and traffic information on the new routes is supplied by VDOT and local law enforcement. VDOT and the Virginia State Police will continue to provide information updates on the interstate system and some primary roads.

The Virginia 511 system launched statewide last February. An earlier version of 511 operated along the I-81 corridor from February 2002 until the statewide system launch this year. In July 2005, the 511 system logged its one-millionth call since the 2002 I-81 launch.

Nationally, the 511 number - as of July 2005 - logged nearly 38 million calls since its inception in July 2000. As of August 2005, more than 81 million Americans have a 511 service available to them locally. For information and locations of 511 nationwide, go to www.deploy511.org to see maps, updates and reports on the progress of 511. The Federal Communications Commission designated 511 as the national travel information number five years ago.

The Virginia 511 system updates callers and Web site visitors with information about road construction, traffic and weather conditions, traffic incidents, transit information, lodging, food, gas and more. The service is available 24 hours a day by dialing 5-1-1 or by visiting www.511Virginia.org. Outside Virginia, 511 Virginia can be accessed by calling 1-800-578-4111. Hearing impaired users (TDD users) can call 711 and ask to be connected to 511.

*Note to newsrooms: Contact the following for tours, interviews or live-shot opportunities at VDOT Smart Traffic Centers or the Transportation Emergency Operations Center where 511 calls are coordinated.

Statewide – Tamara Neale: 804-786-6458
Transportation Emergency Operations Center in Richmond

Northern Virginia – Ryan Hall: 703-383-2055
Smart Traffic Center in Arlington

Hampton Roads region – Tiffany Erbach: 757-925-1660
Smart Traffic Center in Virginia Beach

Richmond region – Jenni Smith: 804-524-6387
Smart Traffic Center in Chester

Fredericksburg region – Tina Bundy: 540-899-4560
Smart Traffic Center in Thornburg

Staunton region – Sandy Myers: 540-332-9201
Smart Traffic Center in Staunton

Salem region – Jason Bond: 540-387-5250
Smart Traffic Center in Salem





Tweet

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