VDOT lifts lane closures to get Fourth of July travelers to fireworks and family fun

RICHMOND — School’s out for summer and it’s time to hit the road to favorite holiday destinations. To keep travelers focused on the Fourth of July fun-in-the-sun and fireworks instead of traffic, the Virginia Department of Transportation will be suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Monday, July 3, until noon on Wednesday, July 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

Based on historical data, VDOT's online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Fourth of July 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:

• Periods of moderate to heavy congestion will likely occur on Friday, June 30, between noon and 6 p.m.
• Routes to and from Virginia Beach are also likely to be congested on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 from mid-morning to evening, especially near the tunnels.
• Interstate 95 and Interstate 395, in both directions, are expected to be congested for the entire travel period.
• Heavy congestion is expected on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1 on I-77 northbound from midday to evening.

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, 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 66 Express Lanes Inside the Beltway will be lifted on Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4. 

• Find directional schedules for the reversible 95 and 395 express lanes, and information for the 495 Express Lanes at 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 Independence Day, Tuesday, July 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

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).

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