VDOT lifts lane closures during Thanksgiving holiday

Do you have plans to travel for Thanksgiving? Planning ahead for your trip may mean more time with family during the long weekend.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will suspend most highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Wednesday, Nov. 21, until noon Monday, Nov. 26.

While lane closures will be lifted in 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 Thanksgiving holiday. 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 heavy congestion was most likely to occur from mid-morning to evening on Tuesday as well as on Saturday.

PUT SAFETY FIRST

What you do impacts others. 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 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 will be lifted on Thursday, Nov. 22.
• 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: HOV restrictions and Express Lane tolls will be lifted on Thursday, Nov. 22.
• 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.
• Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) – Tune to 1680 AM to stay informed on Hampton Roads traffic, travel conditions and construction information.