As the summer travel season begins, VDOT is reminding motorists to stay focused on the road while heading to those first celebrations of summer.
VDOT will help make travel easier by suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Friday, May 25 until noon Tuesday, May 29.
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 online, interactive travel-trends map shows peak congestion periods on Virginia interstates during the three previous Memorial Day holidays (2015-2017). While it can’t precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help you plan travel around those times when roads have historically been busiest.
Based on past traffic data, periods of moderate to heavy congestion are expected to occur between noon and 6 p.m. on Friday and Monday, and during midday on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, congestion has historically occurred on:
- I-95 south and I-64 east from Saturday morning to Saturday afternoon
- I-95 north and I-64 west on Monday from around noon to late evening
STAY SAFE
Be cautious behind the wheel. Your actions impact yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road. Do your part in making travel safer for all:
- Buckle up
- Keep your eyes on the road
- Take a break if you are drowsy
- If you are a passenger, speak up if someone is driving distracted
REAL-TIME INFORMATION TRAFFIC INFO IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
VDOT’s 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. The free mobile VDOT 511 app is available online. 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.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION:
HOV restrictions on I-66 and I-395 will be lifted on Monday, May 28 as well as rush hour tolls on the 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway.
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: Normal operating schedule/restrictions in place for HOV lanes and the Reversible Roadway Friday, May 25 through Sunday, May 27. Monday, May 28, HOV restrictions will be lifted on all HOV diamond lanes including the Express Lanes.
- 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.
- Highway Advisory Radio (HAR): Tune to 1680 AM to stay informed on Hampton Roads traffic, travel conditions and construction information.
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Chris Graham
