The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on May 18 that it will suspend many highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures on interstates and major roads across the state from noon on Friday, May 22 until noon on Tuesday, May 26. The move is intended to help motorists travel more easily during the start of the summer travel season, particularly over Memorial Day weekend.
This action aims to reduce congestion and improve safety as Virginians take trips for holiday gatherings or vacations. While most temporary lane closures will be lifted, some semi-permanent work zones may remain in place. Drivers are encouraged to check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for up-to-date information about traffic conditions in their area.
VDOT also highlighted several resources available to help travelers plan ahead. The free mobile 511 app provides information about construction, incidents, congestion, traffic cameras, weather updates, electric vehicle charging stations and more. Motorists can also use the hands-free “speak ahead” feature by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia or visit the website at 511.vdot.virginia.gov for additional details including a travel trends map showing anticipated peak congestion periods during the holiday period.
For those traveling in Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads areas, VDOT provided specific guidance: directional schedules for reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes can be found at expresslanes.com; Peninsula drivers heading to Virginia Beach are advised to use I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as an alternative route due to ongoing construction at other crossings; similar alternate routes are recommended for those traveling toward North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
May 21 is recognized as Celebrate Transportation Day in Virginia, marking the importance of mobility options such as driving on roads and through tunnels or bridge-tunnels, bicycling, transit buses and trains. According to the official website, Virginia Department of Transportation manages one of the nation’s largest state highway systems with tens of thousands of lane-miles across Virginia while overseeing planning, maintenance and operation of roadways statewide.
Virginia’s transportation history dates back to Jamestown settlement times with early roads like “the road along the River Bank” used by settlers and indigenous people alike. Sites such as Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg now feature in initiatives like the Virginia 250 Passport program encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore historic sites throughout five regions using various modes of transportation.
