VDOT to Lift Lane Closures for Thanksgiving Travel

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is lifting lane closures during the five-day Thanksgiving travel period to keep interstates and highways clear for motorists as they travel to their holiday destinations.

VDOT will lift lane closures on most interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Wednesday, Nov. 27, until noon Monday, Dec. 2. 

More than 43 million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving last year, and approximately 90 percent of those travelers went by road. The same or greater numbers are likely again this year.

"Thanksgiving is a time many of us travel to spend time with family and friends, and in so doing share the road with millions of fellow motorists along the way," said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley. "Please be courteous to one another as you drive, and do your part to keep our highways safe. Plan ahead, start your trip well rested and take breaks when you need them."

Motorists needing a safe place to rest, make a call, text or use their mobile device to update family and friends on their arrival status should look for the "GEICO Safe Phone Zone" signs on Virginia's interstates. Stop at one of Virginia's 43 safety rest areas and welcome centers, where GEICO sponsors safe phone zones.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE SCHEDULE:

• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) restrictions on interstates 66, 95 and 395 will be lifted on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28. Normal HOV restrictions will be in place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 29.

• Direction schedule for I-95/I-395 reversible lanes: Lanes will be southbound from 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, until midnight Thursday, Nov. 28. Lanes reopen northbound by 2 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, and will remain northbound through 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Lanes will reopen southbound by 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and remain southbound through 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Lanes will reopen northbound by 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, and continue northbound for the remainder of the weekend.   

I-95 Express Lanes construction: VDOT will restrict lane closures on I-95 in the Express Lanes work zone from 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, to Monday, Dec. 2, at noon.