RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jeff Caldwell (804) 786-2715 Jeffrey.Caldwell@VDOT.Virginia.gov

CO-0720 May 24, 2007

VDOT’S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRAVEL UPDATE

RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would like to help ensure safe and efficient travel over the Memorial Day weekend.

With Memorial Day as the kick-off of the summer travel season, it is critical that motorists obey the posted speed limits and pay attention to the orange signs posted to guide drivers safely through highway work zones throughout Virginia.

VDOT will help ease holiday traffic over the Memorial Day weekend by opening lanes that are temporarily closed for construction or maintenance work on major roadways. In general, lanes will clear from noon Friday, May 25, until noon Tuesday, May 29. Construction zones with concrete barriers and orange barrels will remain set up.

It is also critical that motorists obey the posted speed limits and pay attention to the orange signs in the highway work zones throughout Virginia. They are posted to guide drivers safely through construction. The fine for speeding in a work zone can be $500.

Motorists should be aware of the Highway Safety Corridors on a section of Interstate 81 in Salem and on stretches of Interstate 95 in the Richmond region and Northern Virginia. Motorists who speed, tailgate or drive recklessly on these interstate sections could be fined up to $2,500.

These services are available to help motorists plan their holiday travel:

511 Virginia – Call 511 or visit 511Virginia.org for information on:

• Current traffic conditions on Virginia’s interstates and other major roads
• Weather
• Regional tourist sites
• Food
• Lodging
• Emergency services

Callers outside Virginia can reach 511 by dialing (800) 578-4111. You also can receive e-mail alerts on selected roadways of your choice by creating an account online.

VDOT Highway Helpline – Motorists can call (800) 367-ROAD to report problems or unsafe conditions on Virginia’s roadways. The direct link to report problems online is here.

The VDOT Travel Center Web page, located here, will link you to information about road construction, incidents and live traffic cameras.

Smart Tag/E-ZPass – Virginia’s electronic toll collection system is part of the E-ZPass network. Motorists can use either Smart Tag or E-ZPass on many toll facilities from Virginia to Massachusetts. For more information, go to EZPassVA.com or call (877) 762-7824.

VDOT Safety Service Patrols – They respond to traffic crashes and help provide traffic control. To aid stranded motorists, Safety Service Patrols provide basic automobile repair and first aid. The patrols operate on major highways in the Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville and near Salem as well as portions of I-81 north of Staunton.

Click It or Ticket — VDOT reminds all drivers to buckle up. It’s the law, and safety belts save lives.

Here is a list of work zones that may temporarily delay travelers:

Northern Virginia

Work on the Springfield Interchange Project (at the convergence of the Capital Beltway Inner and Outer Loops, Interstate 495 East and West/North, between Van Dorn Street and Braddock Road and I-95/395 North and South between Franconia Road and Edsall Road) stops at noon on Friday, May 25, and begins again at noon on Tuesday, May 29. Construction work behind barriers, with no interference with travel lanes, may occur during this period.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project spans 7.5 miles on I-95/495 from the Telegraph Road interchange in Virginia, across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, to the Maryland 210 interchange. There will be no construction-related lane closures on the Virginia side from noon Friday, May 25, until noon Tuesday, May 29. On the Maryland side, there will be no lane closures beginning at noon Thursday, May 24, until 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 29.

Hampton Roads

Interstate 64 HOV lanes — On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-64. The reversible roadway will be open to all westbound traffic from 1-11 a.m. and then to all eastbound traffic from 1-11 p.m. HOV lanes will resume a normal schedule at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 29. NOTE: The HOV reversible roadway lane directions may shift throughout Memorial Day weekend depending on roadway conditions and traffic volumes.

I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel — Motorists traveling to Virginia Beach may want to use the Interstate 664 Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to I-64's Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). The MMMBT is less traveled than the HRBT.

I-64 Chesapeake (Exits 289-291) — Construction is currently under way on the Battlefield Boulevard project. While there will be no temporary lane closures over the holiday weekend, motorists should expect general construction delays between Greenbrier Parkway and Battlefield Boulevard.

VDOT lifted the HOV restriction on I-64 East and West between the Indian River Road exit and the Battlefield Boulevard exit. These lanes are now open to all vehicles. Motorists can visit i64info.com for the latest information on the project.

Travel to the Outer Banks — Motorists traveling to the Outer Banks may want to take I-664 and the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel to save time and avoid the construction at Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake.

The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry will operate on its normal schedule. The ferry schedule is here.

Richmond

Interstate 295/I-64 flyover (western Henrico County) - Expect 11-foot travel lanes and concrete barriers along I-64 east between Route 288 (Exit 174) and I-295 (Exit 177). The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph in this work zone.

I-295 South is restricted to one lane between the I-295/I-64 interchange (mile marker 53) and mile marker 52. Trucks carrying loads more than 12-feet wide are restricted from using I-295 North or South from I-64.

I-64 West at Staples Mill Road (bridge over Acca Railroad Yard) — Eleven-foot travel lanes will continue between Laburnum Avenue (mile marker 186) and Staples Mill Road (mile marker 185) for bridge widening and rehabilitation.

I-295 North between Pole Green Road (Exit 38) and Mountain Road (Exit 49) — Expect uneven lanes as repaving continues. Motorists are encouraged to avoid changing lanes when driving through this work zone. There will be no lane closures during the holiday weekend.

Southwest Virginia

Interstate 77/I-81 overlap - Be alert to the possibility of slowed or stopped traffic in this area of Wythe County due to expected high traffic volumes.

I-77 East River and Big Walker Mountain tunnels — Be alert for delays due to restoration projects at both tunnels.

North-central Virginia

Route 29 South at the Greene/Madison county line — One lane will be closed.

Route 3 at the Route 29 overpass in Culpeper County — One lane will be closed in each direction.

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