RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) -- As unpredictable as the weather is the traffic across Central Virginia. Drivers know one minute they could be moving at a steady pace but suddenly come to a complete standstill. These are traffic tie-ups driver, Gary Knight knows all too well.
"At times it's very aggravating, especially when you are on a time schedule," Knight said.
In an effort to cut down on the aggravation, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is gearing up to flip the switch on five message boards to display real traveling times. The existing overhead signs will go into effect Monday.
"It gives me the tool to make up my mind on what I want to do," Knight said.
The signs will also be a welcome sight for other drivers like William May.
"I can't stand to be late," May said.
May's dislike for being tardy has him leaving for work well before his start time each morning.
"I leave my house a little bit after five and I'm always there an hour early simply because just in case I run into an accident," May said. "That's just the way I am."
And when you ask CBS 6's Kristen Luehrs who spends hours tracking the road conditions, what she thinks about the traffic technology she said it could not have come at a better time as we prepare to head into the busy summer travel season.
"You're going to want to hop off the interstate if there is a problem," Luehrs said. "They put these message boards next to important exits so you'll be able to find your way pretty easily and that way you will be able to avoid the delay."
In addition to the travel times the signs will also be used to display any higher priority messages as well.
The travel time boards will go up between between Chesterfield County and Hanover County at the following locations:
- I-95 northbound – Just north of Ruffin Mill Road; mile marker 59 in Chesterfield County
- I-95 northbound – Just north of Willis Road; mile marker 66 in Chesterfield County
- I-95 southbound – About four miles south of the Kings Dominion/Route 30 exit; mile marker 94 in Hanover County
- I-95 southbound – Just south of Lewistown Road; mile marker 88 in Hanover County
- I-95 southbound – Just south of Chamberlayne Road; mile marker 81 in Henrico County
For more information click here.
