RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179 richmondinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Sara Cross 804-524-6387

RICH-31 May 20, 2004

VDOT TO HELP EASE CONGESTION

RICHMOND – Beach travelers returning to Richmond along Interstate 64 may get home a little sooner this summer thanks to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Beginning May 20, crews will begin the first phase of creating two free flow lanes on the collector distributor road leading to northbound Interstate 295.

Currently on the collector distributor road, the left lane leads to I-295 south and the right lane leads to I-295 northbound. Crews will adjust pavement markings to have both lanes lead directly to the I-295 northbound ramp. This will allow traffic on I-64 westbound to use both exit lanes to access I-295 northbound, and will ease traffic congestion at this location on I-64 west.

Overhead signs on I-64 will also be replaced to reflect the changes on the collector-distributor road. Later in the summer, phase two will change the pavement markings and signage on I-295 north to reflect the new lane usage as well.

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