SUFFOLK

The Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads District suspended lane closures on Interstate 64 and Interstate 664 as of 6 p.m. Monday in anticipation of increased travel demand due to Hurricane Florence. The suspension will remain in effect until the emergency is over.

There will be an exception for shoulder-strengthening work in Segment III of the I-64 Widening Project tonight as follows:

• Single-lane closures on I-64 east and west from Route 199 Lightfoot (exit 234) to Route 143 Camp Peary (Exit 238,) starting as early as 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning.

While the hurricane’s exact track remains uncertain, heavy rain is expected to move into most of Virginia late Thursday, Sept. 13, with impacts expected into Friday and the weekend. Ahead of the storm, VDOT staff and crews are:

• securing equipment in work zones

• readying trucks and equipment

• inspecting drainage facilities and clearing them, where necessary

• planning for increased staffing of Safety Service Patrols and Traffic Operations Centers for additional traffic monitoring, emergency response capabilities and assisting motorists in distress along major routes

• lifting lane closures, where possible, on major routes to keep roads clear for emergency responders and possible evacuations

• notifying additional debris/tree removal crews to be on standby once the storm’s effects begin

VDOT is working closely with local and state partners at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia State Police ahead of the storm to plan and coordinate emergency response. VDOT is also coordinating with utility companies statewide in advance of potential downed power lines.

For local updates and to report damage:

• Get the latest road conditions. Call 511, go to www.511virginia.org or download the mobile app at the 511 website.

• Report downed trees, hazardous road conditions or talk to a customer service representative . Call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or go online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/.

• VDOT’s Facebook page will be updated throughout the storm. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vadothr/