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Memorial Day Travel: Stay Safe On The Roadways; Know Before You Go

Last Updated on February 12, 2022 6:40 pm

RALEIGH – Over the Memorial Day weekend, the N.C. Department of Transportation will pause most road construction activities on major routes across the state to help holiday travelers have smoother trips. By avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations safely and efficiently.

NCDOT will suspend most construction projects along interstate, N.C. and U.S. routes from 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, until midnight, Monday, May 29 with these exceptions:

  • N.C. 32 will be closed one-half mile north of Dillard’s Mill Road in Chowan County;
  • U.S. 264 will have one of two lanes closed between Stumpy Point and Englehard, located at the Dare-Hyde County line;
  • I-85 between Henderson and the Virginia state line will have traffic in a two-lane, two-way pattern;
  • The eastbound lane of U.S. 70 will close from Seventh Street in Hickory to Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard in Catawba County;
  • N.C. 215 will have a bridge replaced six miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Transylvania County;
  • N.C. 209’s future lanes are closed one-half mile north of U.S. 74 to one-fourth mile south of U.S. 74 for widening/interchange improvements in Haywood County;
  • U.S. 441 Business will be closed from the bridge over Little Tennessee River to one-half mile northeast of downtown Franklin in Macon County;
  • In New Hanover County, Third Street will be closed at the intersection of Front Street and Carolina Beach Road; and
  • In Sampson County, N.C. 24 will be closed within the Clinton city limits for a widening project.

Here are some tips for safely navigating the highways during the Memorial Day weekend:

  • 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 zones;
  • 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 at DriveNC.gov, by calling 511, or by following NCDOT on Twitter;
  • Don’t drive drowsy. Travel at times when you are normally awake, and take frequent breaks; and
  • 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 are traveling this Memorial Day weekend, your job is to be a safe driver. Focus on the road and let everything else wait until you arrive at your destination.

In addition, the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs May 22 through June 4. Law enforcement officers are stepping up patrols statewide, watching for people who aren’t buckled up, so don’t forget: Buckle up. Every seat, Every time.

 

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