Vdot news - May 1

MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 16

RICHMOND –Get out your bicycle and prepare to take to the road as May is National Bike Month. On Thursday, May 1 at 9 a.m., bicycling advocates from across the commonwealth will gather at the bell tower at the Virginia State Capitol as Deputy Secretary of Transportation Ralph Davis reads the proclamation for Bike Month 2008.

Bicycling is good for your wallet and your health. With gas prices hitting record highs, it can significantly cut the cost of your commute. It can ease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. And, it has also been proven to help reduce the onset of chronic disease and childhood obesity.

Friday, May 16 marks Bike to Work Day, also known as Clean Commute Day. Consider bicycling for your daily commute, and if that does not work, try walking, vanpooling, carpooling or using available transit options to help reduce air pollution.

“As Virginians ride their bicycles for transportation, recreation, fitness and family fun in May, motorists should remember to share the road,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern, P.E. “Drivers should use caution when traveling near bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. We all depend on Virginia’s highways and byways to connect us to the important things in our lives, whether we use two wheels or four.”

To keep safe on the road, bicyclists should:

· Always ride on the right side of the road and never against traffic

· Ride safely and predictably. A bicycle is considered a vehicle, so ride as if you were operating a motor vehicle

· Ride at least three feet from parked cars to avoid opening doors and people stepping into traffic

· Wear a helmet that is comfortable and fits properly

Motorists should remember to:

· Pass bicyclists with at least two feet of clearance and at a safe speed

· Do not honk when passing. Honking can startle a bicyclist and cause a crash

· Do not slow abruptly or turn immediately after passing a bicyclist

· Watch for road hazards such as debris or broken pavement that may require cyclists to move into the travel lane

Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Take Virginia’s Highway Safety Challenge.

· Share the road

· Buckle up

· Avoid distractions

· Drive drug and alcohol free

· Obey speed limits

For more information on the Virginia’s Highway Safety Challenge and to learn more about how to stay safe on Virginia’s roads, visit www.safeVAhighways.org. For more information on bicycling and walking in Virginia, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org/programs/bk-default.asp


TRAFFIC ALERT FOR WEEK OF April 28 – May 2, 2008

Highway work zones in the Staunton District



The following is a list of highway work that might affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. The Staunton district is comprised of 11 counties, Alleghany, Bath , Rockbridge, Augusta, Highland , Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke. Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.



(NEW) _ Indicates a new or revised entry since last week’s report.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

Interstate 64

No activity reported.



Interstate 81

* Various locations –Guardrail installation. Alternating lane and shoulder closures both northbound and southbound. Night work - 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.



Primary Roads

* (NEW) Route 42 – Debris pick up in Swoope area.

* (NEW) Route 250 – Debris pick up in Swoope area.

* (NEW) Route 250 – Turn lane project at Route 358. Right lane closure.

* (NEW) Route 254 – Debris pick up in Swoope area.

* Route 254 – Truck entering road from construction site at Route 636 and Route 608.

* Route 254 – Bridge over Middle River , located just east of Route 833. Bridge repair with single lane traffic. Traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic signals.

* Route 256 – At Route 276, grading and drainage work. Lane closures with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 262 – Debris pick up in Swoope area.

* (NEW) Route 358 – Turn lane project at Route 250. Right shoulder closure.

* (NEW) Various Road – Debris pick up.



Secondary Roads

* Route 603 – Tree trimming from Route 602 to Route 252. Work is during daylight hours.

* (NEW) Route 613 – Patching near Fishersville.

* Route 621 ( Sandy Ridge Road ) – Between Route 823 and Route 611. Work-site truck traffic for sub-division road construction. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 688 – Tree trimming from Route 42 to one mile south. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 703 – Tree trimming from Route 680 to Route 42. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 722 – Tree trimming from Route 250 north to Route 250 south. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 728 – Tree trimming from Route 732 to Route 835. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 732 – Tree trimming from Route 613 to Route 736. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 733 – Tree trimming from Route 835 to Route 739. Work is during daylight hours.

* Route 739 – Tree trimming from Route 733 to Route 42. Work is during daylight hours.

* (NEW) Route 766 – Road excavation. Road closed from Route 764 to Route 729. Closure will be May 5-9 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Road will be open after 4:30 p.m. every night.

* (NEW) Route 772 – Brush cutting from Route 256 to Route 996 on April 30.

* (NEW) Route 773 – Brush cutting from Route 256 to Route 996 on April 28.

* (NEW) Route 775 – Machining from Route 774 to Route 865, April 30-May 2.

* (NEW) Route 835 – Tree trimming from Route 801 to Route 736. Work is during daylight hours.

* (NEW) Route 876 – Tree trimming from Route 602 to Route 700. Work is during daylight hours.

* (NEW) Route 900 – Machining from Route 775 to Route 256, April 28-29.

* (NEW) Route 996 – Brush cutting from Route 276 to Route 772 on April 29.

* Route 1319 ( Westminster Drive ) – No delays expected between Route 1360 and Route 608, for truck traffic sub-division road construction. Work is daylight hours.

* Route 1621 (Beagle Gap Run) – From Wild Cat Cove to Beagle Gap Forest . Trucks entering work for sub-division road construction. Work is daylight hours.

* Various Roads – Machining, patching, shoulder repair, stone stabilization.

* (NEW) Various Road – Brush cutting with inmates. Traffic controlled with signs and flaggers.