Governor Still Wants Western Bypass Through Loudoun County

According to WTOP Radio, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell isn't giving up on the idea of another Potomac River crossing.

"It's an intriguing idea I'm looking at and trying to look at the economics of it to see if it works," McDonnell said Tuesday on WTOP's Ask the Governor program.

"So far, proposals of an eastern bypass from Fredericksburg to Baltimore and a western bypass through Loudoun County have been met with objections. But he says there's still a need to bypass the District without getting on the Beltway."

What are your thoughts on a western bypass Loudoun County? Post your comments below.

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Rep. Wolf Says Dulles Greenway is "Highway Robbery"

Derek Kravitz (Washington Post) reports on the Dr. Gridlock blog that U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) has once again urged Virginia transportation officials to reduce toll fares on the Dulles Greenway, calling fare hikes in recent years "highway robbery."

"It's a common refrain for Wolf, a longtime critic of the Greenway plan who has said the toll road has been unfairly aided by the "poorly drafted" 1988 law and heavy lobbying at the state level against proposals that would put an inflation-based toll-increase structure in place. Wolf sent a letter Wednesday to Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton.

"Wolf also asked the state to force TRIP II to place signs near the main toll plaza and on roadways leading to the entrance with rate information, and to create a task force of state elected officials and citizens to "examine ways to make the road more user-friendly and potentially provide relief to drivers who use - or would use - the Greenway on a regular basis."

Fares on the Dulles Greenway now cost as much as $4.50 each way during rush hour commutes.

Read the complete Dr. Gridlock article, including the text of Wolf's letter.

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Fitch Ratings Downgrades Dulles Greenway Toll Road Revenue Bonds

Fitch Ratings downgrades to 'BBB-' from 'BBB' the Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (TRIP II) Dulles Greenway Project revenue bonds, consisting of: $34.9 million current interest bonds, series 1999A; $493.8 million zero coupon bonds, series 1999 B; $158.8 million senior callable zero coupon bonds, series 2005 A; $70.5 million senior callable zero coupon bonds, series 2005 B; and $227.6 million senior zero coupon bonds, series 2005 C. The Rating Outlook is Stable. The bonds are secured by a pledge of net toll revenue.

The downgrade reflects the effects of improvements along alternative free routes and the impact of the economic recession in the Loudoun County service area, which have resulted in a continued decline in traffic on the Greenway since fiscal 2006.

Including the drop in interest earnings, net revenue declined by 6.2% between 2006 and 2009 while annual debt service obligations grew by 15.5%. As debt service grows at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% between fiscal 2010 and 2034, the Greenway is dependent upon consistent levels of growth that may be more difficult to achieve. In addition, there is some potential for additional loss in traffic and pricing power when the Dulles Metrorail project opens later in the decade.

The Dulles Greenway is a 14-mile commuter toll road, which extends from the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles International Airport to Leesburg, Vs. TRIP II is a Virginia Limited Partnership, formed in 1993 for the purpose of developing, constructing and operating the Dulles Greenway toll road project. The toll road has been in operations since September 1995.

Read the complete press release for more details on the downgrade by Fitch.

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Sobriety Checkpoint in Northern Loudoun Tonight

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, July 23, in northern area of the county. 
 
The sobriety checkpoint will be held from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.  The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.  
 
The Sheriff's Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. 

"Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws," said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. 

"If you drink and drive, we're going to catch you," Simpson warned. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving. 
 
Members of the Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.

Police Cite 700 HOV violators in Maryland and Virginia

The Associated Press reports that more than 700 people were cited for violations in high occupancy vehicle lanes on Wednesday.

"Officials say local and state police cracked down on drivers Wednesday during morning and evening rush hours along Interstates 66, 95, and 395 and Dulles Toll Road in Virginia and Interstates 270 and 495 in Maryland.

"In addition, officers and troopers cited nine drivers for reckless driving and another 68 for speeding. Hundreds of other motorists received citations or warnings for other offenses, such as inspection violations and expired registrations.

"The traffic safety effort brought together patrols from Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, Arlington County police, Fairfax County police and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police."

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Loudoun County Drivers Encouraged to be on the Lookout for Cracked/Buckling Pavement

Extreme summer heat can mean cracked, uneven and buckling pavement, so the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asks that drivers — especially motorcyclists — to be on the lookout for problem spots while crews make emergency repairs.

Albert Rollins, VDOT’s interstate maintenance manager in northern Virginia, says that consistent temperatures in the mid- to high-90s have put area road surfaces at a high risk for buckling. “Pavement expands in the heat, and cannot contract if it does not cool down enough overnight,” he said. “It continues to expand, and that’s when we see damage.”

VDOT crews repaired areas of buckling pavement yesterday on I-395 near Seminary Road in Alexandria, and northern Virginia crews will be on special alert for emergency repairs this weekend as temperatures are expected to reach in excess of 100 degrees. Drivers are asked to be prepared for lane closures if crews need to mill and repave the road surface.

Motorists in Loudoun County can report potholes, buckling pavement and other road problems through VDOT’s online request form or by calling 703-383-VDOT.

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Heavy Traffic

The Loudoun County Sheriff's office is reporting heavy traffic congestion on Loudoun Cnty Pkwy between Rt 50 & Rt 28 due to traffic collision. 

Update: Northbound Lanes of Loudoun County Parkway are Now Open

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office reports that Loudoun County Parkway northbound is now open. The northbound lanes of the roadway had been closed between Ryan Road and Claiborne Parkway due to single vehicle crash involving a dump truck.

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Transportation Meeting Tonight at 8 p.m. Following Transportation and Land Use Committee Meeting

There's still time to make a meeting tonight at 8 p.m. about transportation. This event will take place after the Transportation and Land Use Committee (which started at 6 p.m.), in the Board Room on the first floor of the Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, SE, in Leesburg.

Loudoun County Supervisor Kelly Burk, who chairs the county's Transportation and Land Use Committee, is hosting the 45-minute presentation on transportation problems and the benefits of using creative transportation and design solutions. The presentation will be followed by a short question and answer session with planning experts Ian Lockwood and Fabian De La Espriella of AECOM Solutions.

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Update: Westbound Lanes of Route 7 Re-opened

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office reports that the westbound lanes of Route 7, just east of Route 704 (Hamilton Station), are now open after being closed due to a vehicle fire.

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Route 7 Affected by Crash and Fire

Route 7 westbound East of Route 704 (Hamilton Station Road) is closed due to a vehicle fire which has caused a brush fire. Emergency personnel are currently on the scene. Motorists who travel this area should expect delays.

Loudoun County Parkway Accident

A single vehicle crash involving a dump truck on Loudoun County Parkway has closed the northbound lanes between Ryan Road and Claiborne Parkway. The roadway is expected to be closed for approximately two hours. The Southbound lanes remain open.  
 
For real-time traffic incident information in Loudoun County, visit www.loudoun.gov/traffic or www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic via your web browsing cell phone.

State Police Operation Air, Land and Speed Traffic-Safety Enforcement Weekend

If you were speeding, driving recklessly or driving impaired on Interstate 81 or 95, then you were one of the thousands of motorists cited during the weekend as part of Virginia State Police’s Operation Air, Land and Speed traffic-safety enforcement effort. The good news, however, is that during the special initiative, there were no fatal traffic crashes reported on either interstate.

On July 17 through July 18, Virginia State Police stopped a total of 3,313 speeders, 628 reckless drivers and 12 drunk drivers between both interstates. A total of 248 safety belt violations were cited, and 15 drug and felony arrests were made by state troopers. The operation yielded 6,264 total summonses and arrests.

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Amtrak Virginia Expands Service Starting Tomorrow

Beginning tomorrow, Monday, July 20, Amtrak Virginia expands daily round-trip service between Richmond, Washington D.C. and points north along the Northeast Corridor.

With this new train, hourly morning departures are available from Richmond’s Staples Mill Station to the Northeast Corridor and more convenient afternoon return trips are available from Washington, D.C. The total number of morning departures from Richmond to Washington is now five, with six return departures available in the afternoon and evening.

The new frequency between Richmond and Washington is the second state-supported train in Virginia which became Amtrak’s 15th state partner with the launch of service between Lynchburg and the Northeast Corridor last October. The new train has Virginia stops at the Staples Mill, Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge and Alexandria stations.

Passengers may travel directly to destinations along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor as far north as Boston and never have to change trains.

The complete train schedule is available at www.amtrakvirginia.com. Tickets are available for purchase online at Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL

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Safety Tip: How to Avoid the Right Cross

Here's the question for Loudoun County commuters and bikers...A car is pulling out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway on your right. QUICK! How do you avoid a crash?

Here's the answer, courtesy of the Sharing the Road in Virginia website.

1. Honk. Get a horn and use it when you see a car approaching or waiting to the right. If you don't have a horn, yell "Hey!" or "Bike coming!"

2. Slow down. If you can't make eye contact with the driver, slow down so that you're able to stop if you have to.

3. Ride further left. You're probably used to riding close to the curb, but the farther left you ride the more likely a driver will see you, and the more reaction time you and the driver will have. If the motorist doesn't see you and starts pulling out, go farther left. If you're too far along to avoid the vehicle, speed up and get out of the way. But note that riding to the left makes you more vulnerable to cars behind you and this may not be smart in all instances.

4. Ride Prepared! Get a headlight. If riding at night, a headlight is required by law. Even for daytime riding, a bright white light in flashing mode can make you more visible to motorists. Look for LED headlights, which last much longer. Helmet- or head-mounted lights are the best, because when you can look directly at the driver, your light shines on him.

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Supervisor Seeks Reports of Encounters with Tow Trucks in Loudoun County

Have you had an encounter with a tow truck recently? If so, especially if you are a Loudoun County commuter in the Leesburg District, Supervisor Kelly Burk wants to hear about it -- good or bad -- that according to her July constituent newsletter.

E-mail Supervisor Burk at Supervisor.Kelly.Burk@loudoun.gov with all the details. For more details you can call the Supervisor's office at 703-777-0203.


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Expect Traffic Stops on Route 7 Near Route 9 This Week, July 12-16

Dominion Virginia Power stringing wires across roadway

Motorists should expect periodic daytime traffic stops for up to 15 minutes on Route 7 just west of the Charles Town/Route 9 interchange July 12-16, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). All lanes of traffic in both directions will be stopped while Virginia Dominion Power crews pull wires across roadways.

The stops will take place Monday between noon and 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Friday between 9 a.m. and noon.

Each day, VDOT and Virginia State Police will monitor traffic volumes before stopping traffic for Dominion crews to pull lines across roadways.

Motorists can tentatively expect delays throughout the summer at these times and locations:

• Mid-July: expect periodic stops on Route 7 near the interchange of Route 9.
• Late-July - August: expect periodic stops on the Route 7 Bypass between Dry Mill Road and Route 15.
• August-September: motorists will experience the most delays in this timeframe as workers string lines along Route 7 and the Bypass between Route 15 and River Creek Parkway.

Dominion Virginia Power is building a 12-mile, high-voltage power line from a new substation northwest of Hamilton, near the intersection of Berlin Turnpike and Route 7, to a substation off Cochran Mill Road east of Leesburg. The work requires crews to string electric lines along about nine miles of VDOT roads, crossing them a total of 15 times.

According to a VDOT press release, Route 7 carries about 38,000 vehicles a day near Hamilton and 72,000 vehicles a day through Leesburg.

For more information about Dominion’s project visit www.dom.com and enter “Pleasant View” in the search bar.

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State Police to Enforce Seat Belt Usage

With the summer season in progress, Virginia State Police are reminding all drivers and passengers of the state law that now requires all passengers under the age of 18 to be properly secured.

As of July 1, 2010, Virginia law on seat belt usage for underage passengers riding in a backseat was expanded to include 16 and 17-year-olds. If front seat passengers are riding unbuckled or if persons under age 18 are not properly restrained, it is the driver who can be charged with a safety belt violation.

As of July 1, 2010, in Virginia:

• Children from birth through seven years of age must be safely secured in a child safety restraint (to include booster seats).
• Those passengers between the ages of eight and 17 must wear a seat belt while riding in the backseat and front seat of a vehicle.
• Existing law requires everyone sitting in the front seat of a vehicle to be buckled up.

Throughout the summer months, Virginia State Police will be concentrating on occupant restraint violations through enforcement and education as part of the Click It or Ticket campaign. Statistics show that with the proper use of seat belts, drivers and passengers are 40 percent less likely to be fatally injured during a traffic crash.

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Study Says Drivers Should Keep the Car Seat in the Car

To prevent injuries in babies, car seats should stay in the car. That's the message of a new study, published earlier this week in the journal "Pediatrics," which shows that almost 9,000 infants go to the emergency room (ER) every year for car seat-related injuries that happen outside the car.

If the seat does have to come out of the car, said co-author Lindsay Wilson, parents should make sure their babies are always strapped in.

Wilson and Dr. Shital Parikh, both from the orthopedics division of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, reviewed five years worth of data from a national U.S. surveillance system to find records of babies less than one year old that were taken to the ER for car seat injuries.

From 2003-2007, almost 2,000 babies in the sample -- so about 43,500 in the entire U.S., the authors estimated -- were brought to the ER for a car seat injury. Most of those injuries happened when babies fell out of their car seat or were in the seat when it fell off a table, counter or shopping cart.

Head or neck injuries were most common, especially in the youngest babies, who were also more likely to go to the ER. Part of the reason these injuries are so common, the authors write, is that parents may assume that babies won't be moving around because they haven't developed good coordination yet. So they commonly leave the baby in a car seat without strapping it in, or set the seat somewhere that puts the child at eye level.

Virginia's Child Passenger Safety Laws stipulate that child restraint devices are required for children through the age of seven (until 8th birthday). Further, safety seats must be properly used and approved by Department of Transportation standards.

Schedule a Safety Seat Inspection
The Leesburg Police Department, 65 Plaza Street NE in Leesburg, is a Child Safety Seat Check Station. Contact Master Police Officer Travis Lotz at 703-771-4578 to schedule an appointment. To locate additional safety seat stations in Virginia, visit www.vahealth.org/injury/safetyseat/permanent.htm. You can also call the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Child Passenger Safety Information Line 800-732-8333. And VDH offers several educational videos on safety seat installation.

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration curriculum for child passenger safety. Loudoun County firefighters have been trained to provide parents, grandparents, childcare providers or anyone who transports a child, information on properly installing a child safety seat. To schedule an appointment to have your child seat inspected, call a station in your area of the county. Because of the large number of requests for this service, remember to schedule your visit well in advance of your due date. A list of the stations is available online.

9 Out of 10 Safety Seats Installed Incorrectly
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that nine out of every 10 safety seats in use in Virginia have been installed incorrectly. To ensure your child is secured properly, DMV offers several safety tips:

• Make sure that the safety seat fits the child, the vehicle, any special needs of the child and that will be used correctly every time.
• Check safety seat labels for weight and height limitations. This will assist in picking the safety seat that is right for the child.
• Each child safety seat needs a safety belt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) to hold it in place.
• Check the safety seat instructions and the vehicle owner's manual for basic instructions.
• The child safety seat must be held tightly against the vehicle seat back. If the safety seat slides around on the vehicle seat, the child may not be protected by the safety seat.
• How "tight" is tight? There should be no more than one inch of side to side or forward movement of the safety seat after installation.

As we enjoy our summer months Loudoun County commuters, let's also remember to do all we can to ensure a safe summer... so keep those car seats in the car -- and be sure they are installed properly!

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Adults and Cell Phone Distractions

According to the latest information from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, one in four (27%) American adults say they have texted while driving, the same proportion as the number of driving age teens (26%) who say they have texted while driving.

• 61% of adults say they have talked on their cell phones while they were behind the wheel. That is considerably greater than the number of 16- and 17-year-olds (43%) who have talked on their cells while driving. 
• 49% of adults say they have been passengers in a car when the driver was sending or reading text messages on their cell phone.
• 44% of adults say they have been passengers of drivers who used the cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.
• One in six (17%) cell-toting adults say they have been so distracted while talking or texting that they have physically bumped into another person or an object. That amounts to 14% of all American adults who have been so engrossed in talking, texting or otherwise using their cell phones that they bumped into something or someone.

Read the full report online or in PDF format.

Okay Loudoun County commuters, let's put down the cell phones while we're out on the roadways!

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Rail to Dulles and Loudoun County

From Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey, via her Potomac District newsletter, is news that Loudoun County staff presented an update to the Board of Supervisors regarding the county's participation in the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project.

According to McGimsey's June e-newsletter, the county will contribute 4.8% to the cost of the project, estimated to be $252 million. Metro expects to complete Phase 2, which will extend the line to Dulles International Airport and on to the Dulles Greenway/Ryan Road Station, in late 2016.

The estimated cost to the county will be updated once they complete the preliminary design for Phase 2, expected in February, 2011.

For more information, visit the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project or call 703-572-0506.

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VDOT Extends I-95/I-395 Non-HOV Hours for the Summer

Motorists traveling southbound I-95 on weeknights will feel some relief from summer traffic and construction lane closures beginning today, Tuesday, July 6, as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) extended the hours that non-High Occupancy Vehicle (non-HOV) traffic can use the reversible lanes.

Beginning today, through September 23, the I-95 reversible lanes will remain open to all traffic until midnight Mondays through Thursdays, giving southbound motorists three additional hours to use the lanes. The reversible lanes will re-open northbound each night at 2 a.m.

The reversible lanes are currently open to all traffic southbound from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, following the evening rush hour.

There is no change to the HOV-3 schedule: HOV-3 (three or more people in a vehicle) remains in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The southbound schedule for the lanes was also extended last summer, to accommodate an increase in weeknight traffic leaving the D.C. area, as well as lane closures associated with the I-95 widening project in Fairfax and Prince William counties. Construction activities may occasionally alter the new schedule.

For more information on northern Virginia’s HOV rules and schedules, visit www.virginiadot.org.

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Mechanical Failures and Breakdowns are Major Cause of Vehicle Fires

Across the country, approximately 287,000 vehicle fires occur each year, resulting in 480 deaths, more than 1,500 injuries and $1.3 billion in property damage.

The Virginia Department of Transportation and AAA Mid-Atlantic report that mechanical failures or breakdowns cause about half of those vehicle fires.

Loudoun County motorists can greatly reduce the chance of such a fire by having regular vehicle inspections, being alert to leaks or unusual sounds and getting immediate vehicle service if problems are suspected.

If a fire occurs:

• Stop – If possible, pull to the side of the road and turn off the ignition. Pulling to the side makes it possible for everyone to get out of the vehicle safely. Turn off the ignition to shut off the electric current and stop the flow of gasoline. Put the vehicle in park or set the emergency brake; you don’t want the vehicle to move after you leave it. Keep the hood closed because more oxygen can make the fire larger.
• Get out – Make sure everyone gets out of the vehicle. Then move at least 100 feet away. Keep traffic in mind, and keep everyone together. There is not only danger from the fire, but also from other vehicles moving in the area.
• Call for help – Call 9-1-1. Firefighters are specially trained to combat vehicle fires. Never return to the vehicle to attempt to fight the fire yourself. Most injuries happen when motorists try to extinguish the fire themselves. Vehicle fires can be tricky, even for firefighters.

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Take the Highway Challenge... and Arrive Home Safely

Today, July 5, is a holiday for many area commuters. Roadways will be heavy with travelers coming home from the July 4 holiday weekend.

VDOT wants everyone to arrive safely to their destination. Statistics show that drivers who follow several standard rules of the road have fewer crashes and reduce the risk of serious injury if a crash occurs.

VDOT and Loudoun County Traffic urge drivers to take the Highway Safety Challenge, which includes:

• Buckle up
• Obey speed limits
• Avoid distractions
• Share the road
• Drive drug- and alcohol-free

For more information about safe driving tips and other rules of the road in Virginia, visit VDOT’s Web site at www.virginiadot.org and click on www.virginiadot.org/travel/resources/rules_of_the_road_brochure.pdf.

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Four New Anti-Teen Drinking Laws are in Effect This July 4th Holiday

Four new anti-teen drinking laws allowing courts to crackdown on underage drinking went into effect this past Thursday, July 1, in Virginia.

Fox 5 TV reports that according to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, the summer months are the deadliest for teen drivers. WARP is urging parents to take control and get involved in combating underage drinking. The president and CEO of WRAP, Kurt Gregory Erickson provided FOX 5 with underage drinking safety tips for parents and some services being made available for the July 4th holiday.


Among the tips:

• Talk with your teens.
• Lay down the law.
• Ensure safety.
• Be a role model.

Read the complete article online at Fox 5 for all the underage drinking safety tips.

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SoberRide Will Operate This July 4th Weekend

According to the Loudoun Times, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's SoberRide will operate for the July Fourth holiday, a time when many adults consume alcoholic beverages. That thanks to $31,000 worth of last-minute donations.

"The program, known as WRAP, offers free cab rides for would-be drunk drivers on holidays throughout the year, when people are more likely to engage in drinking alcohol.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 43 percent of traffic deaths in the United States over the Independence Day holiday are alcohol-related.

Last July, 331 people in greater Washington used WRAP’s Independence Day SoberRide program rather than driving home intoxicated.

SoberRide is offered to those who need a lift home in the District of Columbia, a few counties in Maryland, and Fairfax, eastern Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia."

SoberRide provides free cab rides for fares up to $50. To take advantage of SoberRide, call 800-200-TAXI between 10 p.m. July 4 and 6 a.m. July 5.

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Virginia State Police Encourage a Safe July 4th Holiday

As America prepares to celebrate its 234th birthday, Virginia State Police (VSP) are encouraging motorists to play it safe when planning Independence Day road trips and festivities.

Last year during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, traffic crashes on Virginia’s roadways claimed the lives of nine individuals. State police also arrested 129 impaired drivers during the 2009 holiday weekend.

Read more about the holiday weekend and our roadways in this VSP press release.

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Lane Restrictions and July 4th Weekend Traffic Information

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announces the following July 4th holiday weekend schedule for the I-95/395 reversible High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in northern Virginia:

HOV restrictions will be lifted on Monday, July 5 in observance of the federal holiday.

Normal HOV-3 restrictions will be in place on Friday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 6 (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. northbound; 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. southbound).

The I-95/395 reversible lanes will be southbound:

• Noon, Friday July 2 until 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3
• 9 p.m. Sunday, July 4 until 1 a.m. Monday, July 5

The I-95/395 reversible lanes will be northbound:

• 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3 until 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 4
• 3 a.m. Monday, July 5 until 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 6

For more information on northern Virginia’s HOV rules and schedules, visit www.virginiadot.org.

July 4 Event Traffic

To accommodate travelers attending Fourth of July events in Washington, D.C., VDOT will coordinate and adjust signal timings at approximately 116 signalized intersections along major arterial roads, including routes 1, 7, 29, 50, 123, 236 and 244, in Virginia. Signals will be timed to help move traffic into the District during the day and then south and west from the city between 9:30 p.m. and midnight.

511 and E-ZPass
Since the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, VDOT and AAA Mid-Atlantic anticipate higher traffic volumes because of the three-day weekend with Monday, July 5, as a holiday. To avoid congestion and bottlenecks on major highways throughout Virginia, VDOT encourages travelers to take advantage of its tools and resources available on www.511virginia.gov.

If you can’t go online, dial 511 from your home or mobile phone, after you pull off the road if you are driving.

Virginia is also part of the multi-state E-ZPass electronic toll-collection network. E-ZPass customers can use their transponders at toll facilities in 13 states including Virginia.

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