VDOT: Lane closures lifted to ease July 4 travel

VDOT will help make July 4 holiday trips easier by suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Tuesday, July 3 until noon Thursday, July 5.

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 previous Fourth of July holidays. 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 the traffic data, periods of moderate to heavy congestion are likely to occur between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 5.

Historically, heavy congestion is also present on Interstate 66 east on Wednesday, July 4 in the late evening hours, and on I-95 in the Fredericksburg region.

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:

• 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 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 Wednesday, July 4.
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 Tuesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 5. Wednesday, July 4, 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.