N.C. DOT SUSPENDING MOST ROAD CONSTRUCTION OVER EASTER TO EASE DRIVING CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL SAFER

The N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction activities that could affect travel over the Easter holiday to help ease traffic delays and make driving conditions safer. Most construction projects along interstate and U.S. routes across the state will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 20, until 9 a.m., Monday, March 24.

However, construction work and lane closures will continue in the following areas:

• U.S. 17 in Beaufort County will be reduced to two lanes on both the bridge over the Tar River in Washington, and from Bragaw Lane to Whichard’s Beach Road (State Road 1166) in Chocowinity; and

• U.S. 74 in Anson County will be reduced to two lanes from Graham Street to N.C. 109.

In addition, N.C. 210 in Onslow County will be closed from U.S. 17 to N.C. 172 to replace the bridge over Stone’s Creek. Motorists traveling along N.C. 210 should use the following signed detour:

• Take N.C. 210 to U.S. 17 to N.C. 172, back to N.C. 210.

NCDOT reminds motorists that even though workers may not be present in the majority of work zones, they may still encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts. The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250.

Additionally, the department offers the following driving tips during the holidays:

Stay alert;

Be patient and obey the posted speed limit;

Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times;

Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion; and

Call 511, the department’s free travel information line, or visit www.ncdot.org/traffictravel for real-time travel information.

Motorists should also remember 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 NCDOT’s 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.