en.Wedoany.com Reported - To accommodate the travel surge during the Independence Day holiday weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has decided to suspend construction zone operations and cancel temporary lane closures on interstate highways and major roads statewide from noon on Thursday, July 2, to noon on Monday, July 6.

This arrangement is part of VDOT's annual Independence Day travel convenience plan. Drivers should note that semi-permanent construction zones may remain in place during this period. The latest travel advisories can be found on VDOT's travel tips page.

Due to the influence of America's 250th anniversary celebrations, traffic volumes are expected to increase significantly in many areas of Virginia. According to Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission, Williamsburg will host a full-day celebration on July 4, concluding with a drone and fireworks display; Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate will also hold festivities, including a naturalization ceremony. Washington, D.C., has also scheduled Independence Day events.

VDOT recommends travelers use its free 511 mobile application, which provides real-time traffic, incident, congestion, and construction information, as well as access to traffic cameras, weather data, and electric vehicle charging station locations. Drivers can dial 511 from any phone in Virginia and use the "Speak Ahead" option for hands-free, eyes-free voice traffic alerts. More details are available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.

The 511 Virginia website has also released a holiday travel trends map for Independence Day, showing historically most congested time periods on Virginia's interstate highways. This map can be accessed via the "Holiday Travel" menu option at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.

Travelers heading to Virginia Beach are advised to avoid the under-construction Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) and instead take the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT). Those traveling to the Outer Banks of North Carolina are also recommended to use the I-664 and MMMBT route, then proceed south on Route 168. Schedules for the reversible lanes on I-95 and I-395 express lanes, as well as information on I-495 express lanes, can be found at expresslanes.com.

VDOT reminds drivers to stay safe during the holiday: avoid distracted driving and put down phones while driving; use a designated driver if consuming alcohol, and call 911 if spotting a drunk driver; always wear seat belts; be aware of increased pedestrian and cyclist activity on roads; use VDOT's 43 rest areas for long trips; and comply with Virginia's "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside.

To report road hazards or make inquiries, contact VDOT's 24-hour customer service center at my.vdot.virginia.gov or call 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).