RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Lynda South brcell 804-786-2716, (804) 317-3560 Lynda.South@VirginiaDOT.org Donna Purcell Mayes 804-786-2717

CO-0436 Sept. 1, 2004

VDOT CREWS WORKING AGGRESSIVELY TO OPEN FLOOD-CLOSED ROADS IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Damage estimated to cost between $10 million and $20 million

RICHMOND - Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are working aggressively to open approximately 120 roads, mostly secondary highways, in Central Virginia Wednesday. Because many of the roads are still under water, it is difficult to forecast accurate damage costs, but officials say the price tag likely will be between $10 million and $20 million. This figure does not include damage to Richmond streets and Henrico County-maintained roads. Secondary roads are those numbered 600 and above.

Major roads still closed include Route 301 in Hanover County at Kersey Creek, Route 5 east of Richmond at Bickerstaff Road in Fulton Bottom, Route 60 at Bottoms Bridge, Route 30 at Route 301 (trucks are prohibited), and Route 30 in King William County between Route 360 and Route 301.

Drivers can expect to encounter single lanes and shoulder closures as crews repair damage and clean up the roads in the region. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in the area and not try to drive around barrels or cones closing off roads and bridges as damage to pavement and structures is still being assessed.

Officials also are working with Richmond International Raceway staff on a strategy to route more than 100,000 visitors through the Richmond area for the NASCAR race the weekend of September 11.

For more information, go to http://www.virginiadot.org/emer.asp or call Virginia's Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

The affected Central Virginia area includes the Richmond metropolitan area and the counties of King William, King and Queen, Northumberland, Henrico, Hanover, Amelia, Lunenburg, Goochland, Brunswick, Chesterfield, Mecklenburg, Prince George, Charles City, New Kent and Dinwiddie.