VDOT lifts lane closures to ease Labor Day travel

RICHMOND — To make the most of the Labor Day weekend and remaining summer travel days, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Friday, Sept. 1, until noon Tuesday, Sept. 5.

While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Weekly Lane Closures and Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.

Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time.

TRAVEL TRENDS MAP HELPS PREDICT PEAK CONGESTION

VDOT's online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists avoid travel when roads have historically been busiest. Based on the historical traffic data:

• Heavier congestion is expected throughout the state on Friday and Saturday.
• In the Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg area it is likely travelers will experience heavy congestion on the interstates from morning through evening on Friday and Saturday.
• Interstate 95 northbound is expected to be heavily congested between Richmond and Fredericksburg throughout the day on Monday.
• Heavy congestion is also expected on Interstate 64 in the Hampton Roads area throughout the holiday period.

PLAN AHEAD WITH VDOT 511: REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and more. 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 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA EXPRESS LANES SCHEDULE AND OTHER INFORMATION

• All rush-hour tolls on the I-66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway will be lifted on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4.
• Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at www.expresslanes.com.

HAMPTON ROADS HOV SCHEDULE, TUNNELS AND OTHER INFORMATION

• I-64/I-264/I-564 HOV Diamond Lanes and 64 Express Lanes – HOV restrictions and Express Lanes tolls will be lifted on Monday, Sept. 4.
• Travel to Virginia Beach – Peninsula traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). If traveling 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.
• Travel to Outer Banks – Traffic to the North Carolina Outer Banks should use I-664 and the MMMBT as an alternative to the HRBT to save time. From I-664 south, take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit to I-264 east (exit 15A). Continue on I-264 east through the Downtown Tunnel and take the first exit to I-464 south (exit 8). From I-464, continue south onto the Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168). Continue south on Route 168 to the Outer Banks.

STAY SAFE

It’s everyone’s responsibility to drive responsibly. Do your part to make travel safer for all:

• If you plan to drink, have a designated driver
• Don’t drive distracted, and speak up if someone else is doing so
• Buckle up and ensure children and car seats are secured
• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you
• Use your signals for lane changes and turns
• Cars can heat dangerously fast on hot days: don’t leave children, elderly persons or pets in parked cars for any amount of time

Beginning July 1, 2023, Virginia’s ‘Move Over’ law expanded to include ALL vehicles on the side of the road with flashing lights, flares or warning signs. Drivers must now move over or slow down when a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).