VDOT: Plan for congestion on Route 29 related to Lockn’

Motorists who use Route 29 in Nelson County from Wednesday evening, September 3 through midday Monday, September 8 should stay alert to changes in traffic pattern, plan for possible congestion and give consideration to using an alternate route. The highest volumes of traffic on Route 29 are expected to occur during the overnight hours of Wednesday through early Thursday evening, late afternoon on Friday, Saturday andSunday and, during the departure period Sunday afternoon into midday Monday.

On Wednesday evening, contractors working for the Lockn’ Music Festival in collaboration with the Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin setting up traffic control south of the Lovingston area. Due to the possibility of a significant crowd and resultant traffic, several changes in traffic pattern are planned, including:

• Access to crossovers between Oak Ridge Road (Route 653) and Tye River Road (Route 739)  will be restricted;
• Diggs Mountain Road (Route 668) and Oak Ridge Road (Route 650) will be closed to through traffic,
• Wilson Road (Route 653) will be closed to event traffic;
• Through traffic on Route 29 South will use the right lane; event traffic will use the left lane, and
• Through traffic on Route 29 North will use the left lane from north of Tye River to Route 739; event traffic will use the right lane.

If considering an alternate route, motorists are encouraged to use Route 151 (Patrick Henry Highway) from the intersection of Route 29/151 in Amherst County to the intersection of Route 250/151 in Albemarle County.  This route is not recommended for trucks.

With additional vehicles, including recreational vehicles on Route 29 and several adjoining secondary routes, it is anticipated that there will be congestion on Route 29 North and South, Arrington and Variety Mills Road (Route 655), Williamstown Road (Route 722), James River (Route 56), Findlay Mt. Road (Route 647) and portions of Oak Ridge Road (Route 653).

Message boards, other traffic control devices and a Traffic Hazard Advisory Radio will be used to alert motorists to these changes in traffic pattern and any major congestion issues. A Safety Service Patrol unit will also be available during peak traffic periods to assist with any incidents that may occur.

For additional up-to-date information throughout the event, please call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org, follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOTLynchburg, or contact VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-367-7623 (800-FOR-ROAD).