Traffic

NCDOT Thanksgiving Travel Update

By Jamie Bowers
By Jamie Bowers

NCDOT Aims to Help Travelers Save Time and Money Over Thanksgiving Holiday

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation is taking steps to help motorists save both time and money this Thanksgiving by suspending most road construction activities on major routes across the state. By avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations more quickly while also cutting down on fuel consumption and costs.

Most construction projects along interstate, N.C. and U.S. routes will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, until 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 26, with five exceptions:

  • N.C. 12 from the Bonner Bridge to Rodanthe (Dare County) will have intermittent closures due changing weather and surf conditions;
  • 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;
  • U.S. 74/76 in Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover County) on the Wrightsville Draw Bridge is reduced to one lane in each direction for construction of a new bridge;
  • U.S. 421 in Carolina Beach (New Hanover County) is reduced to one lane in each direction at Snow Cut's Bridge for rehabilitation work; and
  • I-73 in Greensboro (Guilford County) will be reduced to three lanes in each direction from two miles south of Wendover Avenue (Exit 101) to 1 mile north of I-85 Business (Exit 97) for construction of a new interchange.

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, motorists 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 the rest area, as well as view the facility 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 busy 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.

While you’re behind the wheel this Thanksgiving holiday, remember your job is to be a safe driver, so focus on the road and let everything else wait until you arrive at your destination.

***NCDOT***

WSOC

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