This holiday season, drivers can look forward to a temporary relief from construction traffic.
As the holidays get closer, the Virginia Department of Transportation will lift certain construction zones’ lane closures as much as possible for Christmas and New Year’s, according to a release from VDOT.
Major work zones will be suspended for Christmas travel from noon on Dec. 22 to noon on Dec. 26.
For New Year’s, lane closures will be lifted from noon on Dec. 29 to noon on Jan. 2.
Peak congestion times for Virginia are predicted through VDOT’s travel trends map, which uses data from previous years’ travel recordings, according to VDOT.
In Virginia, drivers should try to avoid driving from noon to the evening of Dec. 23 and Dec. 26. During these times, congestion is most likely for those traveling on I-95 South.
From New Year’s travel records, VDOT predicts that congestion will occur from noon to 7 p.m on Dec. 30 and 31, as well as Jan. 2.
In the local area, drivers should be aware of these areas where construction is suspended:
Newport News/Williamsburg
- Work on the widening project on Interstate 64 between Newport News and Williamsburg will be suspended. Speed limit reduced to 55 mph in work zone both directions.
Hampton Roads
- I-64/I-264/I-564 HOV diamond lanes: normal operating schedule/restrictions in place for the HOV lanes and the Reversible Roadway Dec. 22-4 and Dec. 29-31. On Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, the Reversible Roadway will maintain a normal operating schedule, and HOV restrictions will be lifted on all HOV diamond lanes.
- I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel: local traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as an alternative to the HRBT. To Virginia Beach, take I-664 south to the MMMBT. Then take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit (exit 15A) to I-264 east to Virginia Beach.
Norfolk/Virginia Beach
- I-64/I-264 – Improving interchange. Lane shift and closed shoulder on I-64 westbound starting after Indian River Road and ending near the I-264 interchange.
- I-564 – Extending I-564 to Norfolk International Terminals through Naval Station Norfolk.
VDOT has made updates to their 511 app, which also allows users to see real-time updates of traffic. The app provides information on weather for drivers to be better prepared for any inclement weather. The app can be downloaded at 511Virginia.org.
For more information on closures or changes in traffic patterns available visit www.i564intermodal.com/press-room/traffic-alert or call VDOT’s customer services at 800-367-7623.
