(WFXR) — With the Easter holiday now underway, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is making your holiday road trips as smooth as possible.
VDOT says it will suspend most areas of highway work and lift most lane closures on highways and other major Virginia roads from noon Friday, April 15, until noon Tuesday, April 19.
However, motorists over the Easter holiday may still encounter semi-permanent work areas or travel delays across the Commonwealth, including the following locations in southwest and central Virginia:
- Rich County
- I-64: There are paving operations going west from mile mark 7 to mile mark 2, which means there will be alternating lane closures.
- Bedford County
- Route 460: Eastern lanes are being realigned near Montville, a traffic change is underway as eastbound and westbound lanes are reduced to one lane, and the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. Wilkerson Mill Road was also closed at Route 460 with a bypass in place.
- Bland County
- I-77: There is a ramp shutdown going south on I-77 at Exit 64. A detour is in place for motorists using Route 61 (Clear Fork Road) and Route 52 (Highway N.
- Campbell County
- Route 726 (Mount Athos Road): There is bridge repair work over Beaver Creek. A temporary traffic light was in place and traffic was reduced to an 11-foot-wide lane.
- Carroll County
- Route 58W: There is an alternate bridge over Crooked Creek between Route 822 and Route 887. The trail may be closed. Traffic is reduced to one lane in both directions on Glendale Drive.
- Craig County
- Route 311: There is an alternate bridge over Meadow Creek. Traffic is reduced to one lane by a temporary traffic control signal, as well as a nine-foot width restriction. Speed limit reduced to 35 mph, with signed detour in place on Allen Street
- Pulaski County / Montgomery County
- I-81 Bridge over the New River: Crews replace the northbound bridge over the New River at the Pulaski County and Montgomery County border. The track and shoulder are closed between the 103 mile mark and the 105 mile mark. The speed limit is reduced to 60 mph, with a width restriction of 11 feet.
- Roanoke City
- 13th Street: Safety improvements underway at part of 13th Street SE in Roanoke. Traffic on 13th Street is diverted south using Norfolk Street at 12th Street to Tazewell Street. Meanwhile, northbound 13th Street opens to traffic. Signs can be used and the speed limit is 25 mph.
- Roanoke County
- I-81 Exit 137 to Exit 141: Extension is in progress along a five-mile section of I-81 going north and south in Roanoke County and the City of Salem. A bulkhead wall is installed, which means there will be aisle closure during the night and a shoulder closure during the day.
- Wythe . County
- I-77: Cove Creek bridges are being replaced between mileage marks 44 and 42. Expect a change in traffic pattern on I-77 North and I-77 South.
Here is some other traffic information released by Virginia transportation officials:
- Northern Virginia High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) schedule and other information:
- Find directions tables for Express Lanes 95 and 395 Reversible, and information on 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: There are no HOV restrictions or Express Lane Tolls fees on Sundays. Norfolk’s 64 express lanes are free to use for motorists outside of normal operating hours. To learn more about 64 Express Lanes, visit www.64expresslanes.org.
VDOT urges all holiday travelers to follow these travel tips so you can keep you, your loved ones, and other motorists safe on your journey down the rabbit track:
- Stick to the posted speed limits and give yourself time to reach your destination
- Fasten your seat belt and make sure that child and car seats are secured
- Maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
- Use your signals to change lanes and turns
- Keep an emergency preparedness kit in the event of a malfunction
- Don’t push your distraction, and speak up if someone else is doing it
The free VDOT 511 mobile app offers information about construction, traffic, accidents, and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, and more. Traffic information is also available on or by calling 511 from any phone.
To report a road problem or get answers to transportation questions, call the 24-hour VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623). You can also get real-time traffic information by checking out the free VDOT 511 app, visiting 511Virginia.org, or calling 511 from any phone.
