Starting Nov. 14, I-66 traffic will grind to halt for 30 minutes between midnight-2 a.m.

Over the next four months, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will stop all lanes of traffic for up to 30 minutes between midnight and 2 a.m. while crews install 36 gantries between the Capital Beltway and Route 29 in Centreville for the I-66 Active Traffic Management system.

Weather permitting, the first closure will be between 12:01 a.m. and 2 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14 on eastbound I-66 at mile marker 53 in Centreville. All eastbound traffic will come to a complete stop for up to 30 minutes.

Crews will install the gantries Sunday through Thursday nights and will focus first between Route 29 in Centreville and Route 50 in Fairfax (mile markers 52 to 58), both east and westbound.

VDOT will keep the public informed on where the stops will occur throughout the installation. In addition, message signs will be posted well in advance of each closure so that motorists can take alternate routes when the lanes are shut down.

There will be no closures on major holidays or during the Thanksgiving travel days, Nov. 26-30.

The first of its kind on the East Coast, the ATM system will give drivers more information on incidents, delays and projected speeds for optimum travel times. The system uses road sensors and monitored traffic cameras to provide up-to-date information on road conditions as displayed on electronic message signs.

When operational in early 2015, the ATM system is expected to provide more reliable travel times, ease congestion during off-peak travel times and reduce delays related to traffic incidents. 

Resources
·      Go to http://www.VirginiaDOT.org/I-66_ATM for more information on the project
·      Follow northern Virginia VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOTNOVA