The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR) – As travelers make their end-of-summer vacation plans before the hustle and bustle of the school season, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead for their holiday road trips. To make travel easier this coming Labor Day weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will suspend many highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Friday, Sept. 2 until noon Tuesday, Sept. 6.
While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. A full listing of those lane closures can be found on VDOT’s website.
To assist motorists and keep traffic moving, some regions have enhanced Safety Service Patrols over the Labor Day holiday. In addition to incident management and emergency response, Safety Service Patrols provide limited motorist assistance to disabled vehicles along designated corridors. Services may include; tire services, fuel, air compression, jump start, water, phone access to local wrecker service and directions.
TRAVEL-TRENDS MAP HELPS PREDICT PEAK CONGESTION
Based on historical data, VDOT’s online, interactive travel-trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists avoid travel when roads have historically been busiest.
Based on the traffic data, moderate to heavy congestion is expected from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, and throughout the holiday weekend, including Monday.
REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFO IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION
All HOV restrictions on Interstate 66 and rush-hour tolls on the 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway will be lifted on Monday, Sept. 5.
Find directional schedules for the reversible 95 and 395 express lanes, and information for the 495 Express Lanes at www.expresslanes.com.
HAMPTON ROADS HOV SCHEDULE, TUNNELS AND OTHER INFORMATION
I-64/I-264/I-564 HOV Diamond Lanes and 64 Express Lanes – HOV Restrictions and Express Lanes tolls will be lifted on Monday, Sept. 5.
The 64 Express Lanes in Norfolk may be used at no cost to motorists outside of normal operating hours. To learn more about the 64 Express Lanes, click here.
I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) – Local traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the HRBT. If traveling to Virginia Beach, take I-664 south to the MMMBT. Then take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit (exit 15A) to I-264 east to Virginia Beach.
Travel to Outer Banks – Local traffic to the North Carolina Outer Banks should use I-664 and the MMMBT to save time. From I-664 south, take I-64 west to exit 292, Chesapeake Expressway/I-464/Route 17. Keep left to continue to the Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168), and take Nags Head/Great Bridge (exit 291B) to the Outer Banks.
STAY SAFE
It’s everyone’s responsibility to make travel safer for all. Do your part:
Slow down! When you drive over the speed limit, even by a little bit, you put yourself and everyone on the road in danger.
Buckle up and ensure children and car seats are secured.
Drive sober. If you plan to drink, have a designated driver.
Put the phone down! It’s unlawful in Virginia to hold a communication device while driving. Use a hands-free option when possible, or stop your vehicle in a safe location.
Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Use signals for lane changes and turns.
Cars can heat dangerously fast on hot days: don’t leave children, older people or pets in parked cars for any amount of time.
Plan travel routes ahead of time and identify alternative routes for travel.
To report a road problem or get answers to transportation questions, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center around the clock at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).
