| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sarah Sager (757) 424-9941 sarah.sager@VDOT.virginia.gov Harry Kenyon (757) 925-1660 |
HRO-660 Dec. 15, 2006 |
VDOT LAUNCHES TRAFFICLINE TO KEEP MOTORISTS
INFORMED OF REAL-TIME TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Citizens can hear Highway Advisory Radio and bridge and
tunnel conditions by dialing local telephone number
VDOT LAUNCHES TRAFFICLINE TO KEEP MOTORISTS
INFORMED OF REAL-TIME TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Citizens can hear Highway Advisory Radio and bridge and
tunnel conditions by dialing local telephone number
To achieve this goal, VDOT is launching a new local phone number, the Hampton Roads TrafficLine at (757) 361-3016, to inform motorists of road conditions and traffic delays.
Citizens will also be able to dial the number and hear the same Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) recording that broadcasts on 610 AM.
The HAR recording reports traffic conditions throughout Hampton Roads, including area bridges and tunnels, that could impact a motorist’s drive time.
“We’ve listened to concerns from citizens about how they can’t hear 610 AM in some areas and also how it’s difficult for them to quickly access bridge and tunnel information,” says Dwayne Cook, VDOT’s Eastern Region Operations Director. “We’ve heard their suggestions and are now happy to offer a way for them to get current road conditions clearly from any location.”
In addition to the HAR report, the new TrafficLine contains updates on traffic conditions at Hampton Roads bridges and tunnels. Messages on the bridge and tunnel portion of the line are updated every 15 minutes during rush hour (from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and on the hour during non-peak travel times. HAR is updated continuously.
TrafficLine is an interim step to help motorists while VDOT works to enhance the 511 State Traveler Information Program. “We’re taking the suggestions and concerns that have been voiced to us by citizens, the people who depend on easy to access travel information, and are making 511 better. In the meantime, TrafficLine has been created to assist motorists while the enhancements are being made,” said Cook.
When the new enhancements to 511 are completed, bridge and tunnel information will be removed from the TrafficLine number. The line will then be transitioned to exclusively broadcast Highway Advisory Radio transmissions.
VDOT’s goal is to update 511 in such a way that motorists can quickly and easily access bridge and tunnel information and won’t need to rely on a separate traffic number for bridge and tunnel updates.
Motorists are encouraged to dial TrafficLine to hear real-time traffic conditions and avoid traffic delays. For additional traffic information, visit VirginiaDOT.org. Call 511 for statewide traffic information.
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Page last modified: Friday, December 15, 2006
