RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Harry Kenyon (757) 925-1660 harry.kenyon@VDOT.virginia.gov Lauren Hansen 757-925-2583

HRO-0727 Sept. 12, 2007

NEW VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON I-64 THIS WINTER Message boards will flash a test message during phase in
Message boards will flash a test message during phase in

NEWPORT NEWS—Motorists may notice new electronic devices installed along Interstate 64 from the Interstate 664 interchange in Hampton to the Lightfoot exit in Williamsburg. Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have been busy working on the final stages of a Smart Traffic Center (STC) expansion project bringing new Variable Message (VMS) Boards, additional traffic cameras, interstate lighting and vehicle detection sensors to Interstate 64 and arterial roads on the peninsula.

This latest addition of smart technology is part of a three-phase expansion that links the VDOT STC in Virginia Beach to all major parts of Hampton Roads interstates. With the use of this real-time traffic management system to monitor interstate traffic from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach, VDOT can keep motorists up to date on traffic conditions, help police and other emergency responders locate incidents quicker, and clear roads faster with VDOT’s Safety Service Patrol.

Construction crews began the test sequence on a series of new interstate VMS boards along the peninsula in May 2007. The new boards will flash ‘Test’ throughout the summer and fall to make travelers aware of them and to be certain they work well before the boards are accepted from the contractor by VDOT.

This final expansion phase will add 80 cameras, 87 VMS boards, 270 vehicle detection sensors and interstate lighting to Hampton Roads interstates. When complete, motorists will be able to use traffic cameras to view more than 113 miles of highway throughout Hampton Roads, up from the current 90 miles of coverage area in the system. Project completion is scheduled for the end of the year. Project integration into the Traffic Management System at the STC will be complete spring 2008.

For more traveler’s information, motorists can tune into 610AM, dial 511 or visit www.VDOT.Virginia.gov. Motorists are also encouraged to call VDOT's TrafficLine at 757-361-3016 for the Highway Advisory Radio transmission from 610AM.
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