VDOT News - Statewide

RICHMOND, Va. – Plan travel ahead to help make the last summer holiday of the year enjoyable and, most importantly, safe. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will make trips easier by suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Friday, Aug. 30, until noon Tuesday, Sept. 3.

While the lane closure lift is in effect for most areas, 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.

TRAVEL-TRENDS MAP HELPS PREDICT PEAK CONGESTION

VDOT's travel-trends map shows peak congestion periods on Virginia interstates during the three previous Labor Day holiday periods. 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 traffic data, periods of moderate to heavy congestion will most likely occur between noon and 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 and Monday, Sept. 2. Additionally, routes to Virginia Beach are likely to be congested mid-morning to evening on Saturday, Aug. 31.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION

• On Monday, Sept. 2, HOV restrictions on I-66 and I-395 and rush hour tolls on the 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway will be lifted.

• Go online to find directional schedules for the reversible 95 Express Lanes.

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. 2; HOV restrictions are not enforced on Sundays. The 64 Express Lanes in Norfolk are free of charge and open to motorists outside of normal operating hours, including Sundays.
• 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

Be cautious behind the wheel. Do your part to make travel safer for all:

• If you plan to drink, have a designated driver
• Buckle up
• Keep your eyes on the road
• Take a break if you are drowsy
• Don’t drive distracted, and speak up if someone else is doing so

REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFO IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

VDOT’s free mobile 511 app, available online, 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 your transportation questions, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) around the clock.

(END)

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.