Latest news with #VDOT
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Multi-vehicle crash closes parts of I-495 SB in Fairfax County
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — Drivers can expect delays after a multi-vehicle crash resulted in partial road closures on I-495 South in Fairfax County, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Investigation underway after suspects fire shots at tow truck driver in Montgomery Village, police say The crash occurred Sunday at mile marker 44.3 on I-495 South in Fairfax County, involving four vehicles. As of 6 p.m., the south left shoulder, right center lane, right lane, and right shoulder are closed. For real-time traffic updates, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More Hampton Roads drivers use toll discounts, but millions of dollars are still available
Enrollment is growing in a program that offers millions of dollars of toll relief to Hampton Roads drivers who traverse the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. But the amount of money being used is just a fraction of what state lawmakers secured in the commonwealth's fiscal budget. Virginia's 2024-26 biennium budget includes $101 million in toll relief at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth, with a $77 million earmark in the first fiscal year and $24 million in the second. The program's current enrollment is 19,086 people, according to data provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation. That represents a nearly 9% increase in enrollment compared with this time last year, with the vast majority of relief going to residents of South Hampton Roads. For drivers earning less than $50,000 per year, expanded toll relief provides 100% off 14 trips through the tunnels for two-axle passenger vehicles. But it applies only to the most fiscally stressed cities in the region, including Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Franklin. That's in addition to the existing toll relief program offered to all Hampton Roads residents, where drivers earning up to $65,000 annually with an E-ZPass transponder can get 50% off 14 weekly trips through the tunnels. Since 2017, $10.6 million of toll relief has been distributed to drivers in Hampton Roads, according to VDOT. Since July 1, 2024 — the start of the current fiscal year — $4.12 million has been given to eligible drivers as of April. That's up from the $3 million granted between July 2023 and June 2024. How some Hampton Roads residents could pay no toll to drive through tunnels Toll-free HOV lane in Downtown and Midtown tunnels not recommended, study says 10 years of tunnel tolls: How they have helped — and hurt — Hampton Roads More than a third (36%) of the relief to date went to Portsmouth residents, which amounts to roughly 6,870 people. Almost a quarter (23%) went to Norfolk residents. Data has shown tolls are particularly burdensome to Portsmouth and Norfolk residents, and enrollment for drivers in both cities increased this year. Relief has been expanded over the years to include cities like Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, and more drivers there are taking advantage this year, according to VDOT data. The city of Portsmouth has beefed up its promotion of toll relief since January, a city spokesperson said, through social media posts and the city's official website. During a City Council work session last year, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas urged the city to do more to get the word out so they can continue securing relief in the state budget. 'They don't have to do anything, but just get the transponder registered,' Scott previously told The Virginian-Pilot. 'So if they do that, then we'll be able to see a higher usage and higher percentage, and then justify even more resources to help.' City spokesperson Peter Glagola said Elizabeth River Crossing, which operates the tolls, recently presented to the Mayor's Military Affairs Committee, with a key message that residents should apply individually and not as families to stay within the maximum annual income limit for relief. ____ There's no deadline to register for toll relief, but it must be done in person at E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Norfolk or Portsmouth or at the DriveERT Customer Care Center in Portsmouth. When applying in person, bring proof of residence and income. Residence can be proved from a driver's license, checking or savings account statement, utility bill, mortgage, rental lease, military documentation confirming city of residence or property tax bill. Proof of income can include Social Security statements, tax forms, one month of pay stubs, notarized employer's statement or self-declaration of no income. Once approved for the program, E-ZPass transponders will link to the unique toll relief confirmation code given. Residents with a balance on their E-ZPass account can still enroll in the toll relief, but discounts cannot be applied until negative balances are resolved. There's still time to take advantage as the state's funding is available through 2036, a VDOT spokesperson said. ERC also contributes annually to the toll relief program, including $3.6 million this year. Unused toll credits, both from ERC and the state, can roll over to subsequent years, according to VDOT. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, ____ Norfolk E-ZPass Customer Service Center 1701 Church St. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Portsmouth E-ZPass Customer Service Center 4010 Victory Blvd. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. DriveERT Customer Care Center 309 County St., Portsmouth Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Crashes at two tunnels slowing down Memorial Day weekend traffic
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Crashes in the area of two of the region's tunnels Friday are slowing down traffic on this Memorial Day holiday weekend. All westbound lanes of I-264 at the Downtown Tunnel were closed Friday afternoon due to a crash, the Virginia Department of Transportation westbound lanes of I-264 at the Downtown Tunnel reopened before 4 p.m., but VDOT said drivers can continue to expect delays, with backups of about one is backed up for more than a mile, and three is no traffic currently in the tunnel. There was also a crash that closed I-64 westbound near the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Friday afternoon. Lanes have since reopened, but traffic backups approaching the HRBT are about 6.5 miles, according to VDOT. Southbound traffic at the James River Bridge was heavy, but steady, according to VDOT traffic cameras, while there were backups of about two miles on I-664 southbound at the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. Traffic was also backed up on Route 58 westbound in Suffolk following a vehicle fire Friday afternoon. VDOT suspended many highway work zones and lifted most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia for holiday travel from noon Friday until noon Tuesday, May 27. AAA expects near record-breaking Memorial Day travel – see the best times to drive Check with for updates. Save time on your drive by getting WAVY alerts on crashes, delays and detours. Download the mobile app, and sign up for traffic alerts. Click , and . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VDOT reopens Route 58 in Damascus; Gov. Youngkin in attendance
DAMASCUS, Va. (WJHL) – Hurricane recovery efforts in Virginia are ahead of schedule as Route 58 in Damascus reopened Thursday. During Hurricane Helene, 1.5 miles of Route 58 were washed away, leaving a gaping hole in the road. Many people had to take significant detours when traveling to and from Damascus. The construction project was originally planned to be completed in October but was finished five months early. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was in attendance for the ribbon-cutting celebration of the road's completion. He said he was glad to see the road reopen early. 'It required innovation and it required some really on-the-ground leadership, and all of it came together at one time,' Youngkin said. Michelle Earl, communication manager for the Bristol District of VDOT, said teams have been working since the storm hit to make the repairs. 'We've been working since Hurricane Helene happened to reestablish access here in Southwest Virginia and 58 was a big component of that for Washington County,' Earl said. 'So, this is a banner day for us to be able to open this roadway. Last year when they signed the contract to do the emergency work, they thought it might take a year and that was ambitious. So, to be opening it five months early is something that we're really proud of.' Chris Blevins, general manager of construction at W-L Construction and Paving, said he saw what the road looked like after the hurricane. 'They wanted me to sign a one-year contract,' Blevins said. 'I said, no, I'm not going to do that because I'm not sure that it can be done. I mean, it was just devastating and seeing it firsthand.' 'We're just proud to be a partner in this.' Youngkin also said the early completion of the road will help with other recovery efforts. With work now complete on Route 58, the next project will be working on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Youngkin says there is no set timeline yet on when that work will start. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flooding in Campbell County closes Simons Run
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Virginia Department of Transportation is reporting a road closure in Campbell County due to flooding. Simons Run at Compson Way is closed at this time. VDOT said there is currently no estimated time when the road will be reopened. (Photo Credit: Virginia Department of Transportation) Local agencies share flood safety tips ahead of possible heavy rainfall Motorists should seek alternative routes until further notice. If you encounter a downed tree or a flooded road, you can report it to the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-FOR-ROAD or For your safety & the safety of responders, never move or go around Road Closed signs. #TurnAroundDontDrown. WFXR News will continue to bring you the latest traffic-related updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
