NCDOT suspends most road construction for Thanksgiving
Published 6:30 pm Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction activities over the Thanksgiving holiday to help ease traffic delays and improve driving conditions throughout the state.
Most construction projects along interstates, N.C. and U.S. routes will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24, until 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 30.
I-40 is closed at mile marker 2.6, near the Tennessee state line, due to a rockslide that occurred on Sunday, Oct. 25. A detour has been set up.
Motorists traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West. Follow I-26 West from Asheville to I-81 South in Tennessee, back to I-40. Eastbound motorists will follow the reverse directions. This detour adds 53 miles.
Motorists are reminded 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 NCDOTs 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.
NCDOT offers the following driving tips during the holidays:
Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times;
Stay alert. Even though workers may not be present in the majority of work zones, drivers may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts;
Be patient and obey the posted speed limit. The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250;
Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion; and
Know before you go by calling 511, the departments free travel information line, or get real-time travel information on line. NCDOT also offers travel information for motorists and ferry passengers on Twitter.
For more information on how to get travel information, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel.