As the summer travel season continues, the N.C. Department of Transportation is taking steps to help ensure safe travels for motorists while helping them save time and money by suspending most road construction work on major routes across the state. By avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations quickly and safely, while cutting down on fuel consumption and costs. NCDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and be alert to their surroundings during this busy travel season.
Most construction projects along interstate, N.C. and U.S. routes will be suspended from 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, until 9 a.m., Friday, July 5, with four exceptions:
• U.S. 1 just north of Southern Pines (Moore County) is reduced to one lane in each direction for construction of a new bridge;
• U.S. 158 (Elizabeth Street) in Elizabeth City is reduced to one lane in each direction over the Pasquotank River for resurfacing and construction of a new bridge;
• I-73 (Guilford County) is reduced to two lanes in each direction between I-40 and I-85 for a new interchange with High Point Road; and
• U.S. 17 Business in Jacksonville (Onslow County) is reduced to two-lane, two-way traffic on the Buddy Phillips Bridge over the New River for construction of a new bridge.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit the NCDOT website or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. The site has a number of features to help travelers in addition to providing up-to-the-minute traffic information. For example, travelers can use NCDOT Mobile to easily locate the nearest North Carolina rest areas where they can take a break from their drive. They can pull up more information about amenities available at each rest area, as well as view them on a map and get driving directions.
To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.
Here are some additional tips for navigating the highways during the holiday travel season:
• Leave early to get a head start on your drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible.
• Stay alert. Even if work is suspended, you may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts in work zone areas.
• Be patient and obey the posted speed limit.
• Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion.
• Stay informed. Real-time travel information is available over the phone by dialing 511.
• Don’t drive drowsy. Travel at times when you are normally awake, and take frequent breaks.
• Avoid distracted driving. When drivers stop focusing on the road ahead, they react more slowly to traffic conditions and are more likely to be involved in an accident.
In addition, the “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign runs now through the Independence Day holiday and ends on July 7. DWI task forces operate also year-round, however, as a daily reminder not to drink and drive.