The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced the suspension of many highway work zones and the lifting of temporary lane closures on interstates and major roads across Virginia. This initiative is set to commence from noon on Friday, May 23, and will last until noon on Tuesday, May 27, coinciding with Memorial Day weekend as the summer travel season begins.
Despite these efforts to ease traffic flow, motorists might still encounter semi-permanent work zones during this period. VDOT advises checking their Travel Advisories for up-to-date travel alerts both locally and statewide.
VDOT provides several resources to assist travelers in planning their journeys ahead of time. The free mobile app “511 Virginia” offers information about construction, traffic conditions, incidents, congestion levels, access to traffic cameras, weather updates, electric vehicle charging stations, and more. By dialing 511 within Virginia or using the app’s “speak ahead” option, users can receive hands-free audible alerts regarding incidents and construction along their routes. Traffic details are also available online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Additionally, the website includes a travel trends map specifically for the Memorial Day holiday period. Although it cannot predict exact congestion times for this year’s holiday season, it indicates historically peak congestion periods on Virginia interstates to help motorists plan better trips.
For those traveling in Northern Virginia or around Hampton Roads tunnels during this period: directional schedules for reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes as well as information concerning I-495 Express Lanes can be found at expresslanes.com.
Travelers heading towards Virginia Beach are encouraged by VDOT to use I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) instead of Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) due to ongoing construction activities there; similarly advised are those venturing into North Carolina’s Outer Banks who should consider using MMMBT via Route 168 instead while bypassing HRBT altogether.
To ensure safety during road trips over this busy weekend: always buckle up yourself plus passengers including child seats; refrain from distractions such as mobile phones when driving; maintain patience alongside observing speed limits strictly – especially crucial near emergency responders whose assistance may be summoned through familiarizing oneself with mile marker signs displayed throughout highways.
Lastly but importantly observe “Move Over” laws mandating drivers switch lanes if feasible whenever approaching stationary vehicles displaying flashing lights/flames/warning signals located roadside otherwise slow down cautiously navigating past them – besides utilizing any one out forty-plus rest stops operated statewide disposing off accumulated litter therein avoiding roadside littering entirely instead following best practices outlined above benefiting everyone sharing public thoroughfares alike amidst heightened activity expected come memorial day itself soon thereafter respectively thereafter too indeed!
