The Shadow
RICHMOND — For people ready to hop into spring, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reminds travelers to buckle up and put the phone down while behind the wheel so that everyone can safely arrive to their destinations during the Easter holiday weekend.
VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, April 3 until noon on Tuesday, April 7.
While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time.
PLAN AHEAD WITH 511 VIRGINIA
VDOT’s 511.vdot.virginia.gov website and free mobile 511 app offer information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle charging stations and more. By calling 511 from any phone in Virginia, use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA EXPRESS LANES SCHEDULE
Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at expresslanes.com.
BRIDGE TUNNELS IN THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA
Travel to Virginia Beach — Peninsula traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) during construction. 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 — Traffic to the North Carolina Outer Banks should use I-664 and the MMMBT as an alternative to the HRBT to save time during construction. From I-664 south, take I-64 west (exit 15, Chesapeake/Virginia Beach) to exit 291B (Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168)/Great Bridge/Nags Head). Continue south on Route 168 to the Outer Banks.
No planned work requiring lane closures is scheduled at any of the water crossings during the Easter holiday.
KEEP EYES ON THE ROAD
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and VDOT reminds drivers they are the key to driving safely. Here are some simple steps to stay safe on the road:
- Put your phone down and enable “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence calls, alerts and notifications. If you’re in a car with a driver who is texting or distracted, tell them stop and focus on the road. If you need to respond to calls, emails or texts, pull over.
- Secure children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the back seat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
- Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the vehicle so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
- Eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving.
- Pay attention so you know when to move over one lane, if possible, for all vehicles with flashing lights, flares, or warning signs stopped on the side of the road. If drivers are unable to move over, they should reduce their speed and use caution.
For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
