RICHMOND — To make Thanksgiving travel easier and safer for Virginians on the road to friends and family, the Virginia Department of Transportation will suspend many highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24, until noon on Monday, Nov. 29.
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.
Based on historical data, VDOT’s online, interactive travel-trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period.
While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists plan to travel around when roads have historically been busiest.
Based on the traffic data, the busiest travel day is on Tuesday with heavy congestion between noon and 8 p.m. and moderate congestion throughout the day. Heavy congestion is also expected on Wednesday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with moderate congestion during the shoulder hours. Saturday shows moderate congestion between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive responsibly. Do your part to make travel safer for all:
— If you plan to drink, have a designated driver.
— Buckle up and ensure children and car seats are secured.
— Slow down for snowy and icy roadways.
— Use signals for lane changes and turns.
— Take a break if you are drowsy.
— Keep an emergency preparedness kit in case of a breakdown in the cold.
— Don’t drive distracted, and speak up if someone else is doing so.
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.
To report a road problem or get answers to transportation questions, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center around the clock at (800) -367-7623.
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