Last Updated on July 1, 2011 9:11 am
RALEIGH — As the summer travel season continues, the N.C. Department of Transportation is taking steps to help motorists save both time and money 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 Friday, July 1, until 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, with two exceptions:
* U.S. 17 in Windsor (Bertie County) is reduced to one lane on the Cashie River Bridge due to construction. Traffic is controlled by signals; however, commercial trucks are restricted on this route and detour signs are in place. All motorists are encouraged to use the U.S. 17 Bypass around Windsor to avoid possible delays;
* N.C. 131 near Dublin (Bladen County) is closed near N.C. 41 due to work at the intersection. Motorists traveling on N.C. 131 will need to follow the detour signs on N.C. 41 and N.C. 410 to guide them around the closure.
Here are some additional tips to stay safe on the highways:
* Buckle Up;
* Don’t drink and drive;
* Stay alert;
* Obey the speed limit;
* Minimize distractions.
To help reduce fuel consumption:
* Don’t rush. “Jack-rabbit” starts and hard braking alone can increase fuel consumption by 40 percent, but reduce travel time by only four percent.
* Observe the speed limit. Not exceeding 60 miles per hour (where legally allowed) can improve mileage by 7-23 percent.
* Use cruise control. Using cruise control on 10,000 miles driven in a year could save you nearly $200 and save more than 60 gallons of fuel, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
* Remove unnecessary items. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your miles per gallon by up to two percent. Wind resistance can also reduce mileage so avoid using luggage racks, rooftop carriers and ski racks when they are not needed.
* Maintain your vehicle. Keeping your tires properly inflated, changing your oil and replacing air filters can all help improve fuel economy.
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. 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.
