ALDOT: No temporary lane closures this holiday season

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller

The Alabama Department of Transportation is doing everything it can to ensure you get where you need to go for Christmas.

To that end, ALDOT is suspending temporary lane closures on interstates around the state from Dec. 24 at 6 a.m. though Dec. 26 at 11:59 p.m.

There will also be no lane closures the following weekend, Dec. 31 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Drive Safe Coordinator of ALDOT Allison Green said they are limiting the amount of road closures for the safety of travel and construction workers.

“Give the gift of safe driving to your passengers and others on the road this holiday season,” said Green in a statement. “Safe driving begins with making sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt. Almost 60% of those who died from a vehicle crash in Alabama in 2020 were not wearing a seat belt.”

ALDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead because there will be nearly 100 million people traveling by car over the holidays. Tips include:

• Buckle up – Using a seat belt is the easiest and most effective way to reduce injury and save your life in a crash
• Drive sober – Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination
• Plan ahead – Drivers planning their travel route can find Alabama traffic and road condition information at ALGOtraffic.com and on the ALGO Traffic app, available on the Google Play and iOS stores.