RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation announced it will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads to aid holiday travel.
Lane closures will be lifted from noon on Wednesday, Dec. 24, until noon on Friday, Dec. 26, as well as from noon on Wednesday, Dec. 31, until noon on Friday, Jan. 2.
While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time, VDOT said. Motorists are encouraged to check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
Additionally, VDOT noted it offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time.
VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle charging stations and more. By calling 511 from any phone in Virginia, use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route. Traffic information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. The 511 Virginia website also includes travel trends maps for the holiday periods.
Northern Virginia Express Lanes
Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at expresslanes.com.
Hampton Roads Tunnels
For holiday travel requiring water crossings between the Hampton Roads Peninsula and Southside during construction of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, VDOT encourages motorists to use alternate routes such as the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, the Route 17 James River Bridge, the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry or I-95 to minimize potential delays.
Due to mechanical issues at the Route 17 George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge, VDOT cautions longer than usual delays should be expected during bridge openings; the bridge openings could take approximately 45-60 minutes.
For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
