HAMPTON ROADS — The Virginia Department of Transportation announced the Highway Advisory Radio system for Hampton Roads will air its final broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 6.
First launched in the early 1970s and later upgraded to the current system in the late 1990s, VDOT said the HAR system has outlived its expected operational lifespan and has reached the end of its service life. The aging technology that supports the system has become increasingly difficult to maintain or replace, VDOT added, and replacing the system would require a significant reinvestment in rebuilding an outdated network that relies on equipment and technology no longer used by today’s utility service providers.
All eight other VDOT districts have already retired their HAR systems, while Hampton Roads District continued its efforts to extend its service life as long as possible.
“This isn’t about ending a service; it’s about improving how we reach drivers,” said VDOT Hampton Roads District Engineer Mike Davis. “The Highway Advisory Radio has done its job for decades, but the technology has reached the end of its useful life. Retiring it now allows us to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars by focusing our resources on modern communication tools that provide faster, more reliable information to more drivers while continuing that same mission to keep travelers informed.”
The shift reflects a broader trend among transportation agencies nationwide, VDOT said, as other states have transitioned away from legacy radio systems toward digital communication tools that deliver information faster and more efficiently to drivers.
VDOT encourages motorists to use other options for travel information, including its free 511 Virginia website and mobile app, roadway digital message signs, and the free Waze GPS app that integrates VDOT’s 511 traffic data and user-reported impacts for live traffic updates.
