Roadwork on hold for most areas for July 4
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on June 30, 2008 1:46 PM
RALEIGH -- Road construction activities will be one less concern motorists will have to contend with over the Fourth of July.
Department of Transportation officials have announced suspension of most road construction activities that could affect travel over the holiday to help ease traffic delays and make driving conditions safer.
Most construction projects along interstate and U.S. routes across the state will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Monday.
There will be some exceptions such as lane closures planned for I-85 in Vance County, which will be reduced to one lane in each direction from north of U.S. 158 (mile marker 214) to south of the Granville County Line (mile marker 208) for pavement rehabilitation. I-85 northbound traffic will be shifted to one of two lanes on the existing I-85 southbound side in the same area. Southbound traffic will remain in a single lane. Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to use an alternate route.
DOT officials remind motorists that even though workers may not be present in the majority of work zones, they may still encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts.
The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250. Motorists can call 511, DOT's toll-free travel information line or visit www.ncdot.org/traffictravel for real-time travel information.
Additionally, the department offers the following driving tips during the holidays:
* Stay alert.
* Be patient and obey the posted speed limit.
* Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle that contains a flashlight, first-aid kit, drinking water, dried food, jumper cables, a small set of basic tools, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, a fire extinguisher, a gallon or two of 50/50 coolant mix, and a least one quart of motor oil.
* Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times.
* Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion.
Motorists should also remember to move over when passing stopped emergency vehicles or if involved in a minor accident.
Under the "Move Over" law, motorists are required to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped law enforcement, emergency vehicles, wreckers and DOT's Incident Management Assistance Patrol Vehicles with flashing lights.
Similarly, the "Fender Bender" law requires motorists to clear the roadway of non-injury accidents to help keep traffic moving and reduce the likelihood of secondary crashes.