Art on the Town returns, VDOT to stop lane closures for Memorial Day: THE DIGEST

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Art on the Town returns on Memorial Day weekend

STAUNTON – The Staunton Augusta Art Center’s third annual Art on the Town is quickly approaching.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday on Memorial Day Weekend at the Sunspots Pavilion in downtown Staunton, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  The free festival started as a compliment Art in the Park over Labor Day weekend.

“The event will feature over 30 local and regional Artists, Food Trucks, and live music provided by Ciders from Mars,” wrote Angus Carter, executive director.

The event free, “ALL are welcome,” and is sponsored by Sunspots Studios Glassblowing, Ciders from Mars, Staunton Clayground, Brigitte Cowan, and Amy Kiger.

For more information, see the art center’s website, https://www.saartcenter.org .

New online information resources available for low-income renters

Virginia Poverty Law Center launched the new Eviction Defense Center earlier this month.

“This easy-to-use online tool is the first initiative to launch as part of Virginia Poverty Law Center’s planned self-help resource platform,” reads a press release. “The Eviction Defense Center is designed to bridge the state’s justice gap by offering essential information to people who may not have access to a legal aid attorney.”

The center can be found online at FightMyEviction.org or in Spanish at NoDesalojo.org .

“Going to court is an intimidating and often confusing process, and people without an attorney rarely get good outcomes,” says EDC Director Phil Storey. “Now renters will be able to better understand their rights and prepare for court.”

Staunton Public Library installs new hearing aid assistance devices

STAUNTON – The Staunton Public Library is now available for more people! The library recently installed hearing loop technology at the check-out and reference desks, increasing accessibility.

To use the feature, hearing aid users should set their devices to the T coil setting and stand within two feet of the transmitter, marked by a blue hearing loop sign.

“This eliminates the challenges often faced by hearing aid users in public spaces where noise can make listening difficult,” reads the library’s newsletter. “Patrons with hearing aids will need to speak to their audiologist to make sure that the ‘T’ coil setting is enabled on their aids in order to use hearing loops.”

VDOT to shut down 'most' lane closures for Memorial Day

RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Transportation will end road work and lift lane closures in time for Memorial Day traveling.

According to a press release , highway work zones and “most lane closures” on “interstates and other major roads” will be lifted from Friday, May 24, until Tuesday, May 28.

“While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time,” reads the press release. “Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.”

The release also gave a forecast for where traffic will likely be the worse, as determined by historical data:

• On Interstate 95 northbound, heavy congestion is expected on Friday and Saturday between Stafford and the D.C. line and on Monday in the Stafford-Fredericksburg area.
• On Interstate 95 southbound, congestion is expected between the D.C. line and Richmond on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday and Monday in Northern Virginia.
• In the Hampton Roads area, congestion is likely, especially on Interstate 64 approaching the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel eastbound on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and going westbound on Friday and Monday.
• On Interstate 81 northbound, pockets of congestion may appear on Monday between Roanoke and Winchester.

VDOT traffic alerts for May 20 to May 24

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

INTERSTAT E 64

• *NEW* Mile marker 87 to 100 , eastbound and westbound – Shoulder closures for mowing, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Exit 87 , westbound – Overnight narrowing of ramps to I-81 northbound and southbound for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Wednesday night.
• *UPDATE* Mile marker 95 to 98 , eastbound and westbound – Overnight single lane and shoulder closures for sign installation work, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Wednesday nights.

INTERSTATE 81

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 205 to 233 , northbound and southbound – Shoulder closures for pipe work and shoulder repairs, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Mile marker 214 to 210 , southbound – Alternating lane closures for milling and paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through July 25. Exit 213 traffic will be detoured during ramp paving.
• Mile marker 220 to 222 , northbound and southbound – Left and right shoulder closures for median access related to bridge work, 24/7 through September 30.
• *NEW* Mile m arker 221 to 223 , northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for litter pickup operations, 11 a.m. to 12 noon Monday.
• Mile marker 221 to 222 , northbound – Overnight right lane closures and narrowing of exit 221 ramp to I-64 for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Wednesday night.
• Mile marker 221 to 227 , northbound and southbound – Overnight left lane closures for installation of concrete barriers, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through May 30. Following barrier placement, left shoulder closures remain in place 24/7 through spring 2026. Work is related to I-81 widening project .
• *NEW* Mile marker 236 to 228 , southbound – Overnight right lane closures for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights May 20 – May 30.

PRIMARY ROAD S

• Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound right lane closures between Route 940 (Dick Huff Lane) and Staunton city limits for sidewalk installation, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Friday.
• *NEW* Route 42 (Little Calf Pasture Highway) – Shoulder closures between Route 688 (Old Parkersburg Turnpike) and Route 1130 (East Village Lane) for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 772 (Sulfur Pump Road) and Route 865 (Rockfish Road) for maintenance to bridge over Middle River, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through June 14.
• Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Southbound overnight lane closures along ramp to northbound I-81 (at Exit 220) for paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Wednesday night.

SECONDARY ROADS

• *NEW* Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 855 (Mill Creek Lane) and Route 623 (Back Creek Lane) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 20 – May 30.
• Route 612 (Laurel Hill Road) – Westbound right lane and shoulder closures between Route 818 (Dunsmore Road) and Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) for milling at various entrances, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 27. Work related to Verona pedestrian improvement project.
• *NEW* Route 623 (Back Creek Lane) – Flagger traffic control between Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) and dead end for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 20 – May 30.
• Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor , through May 30, 2025.
• Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.
• Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor , through June 30, 2025.
• *UPDATE* Route 675 (Broadhead School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee Jackson Highway) and Route 604 (McClures Mill Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through May 30.
• Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Art on the Town returns, VDOT to stop lane closures for Memorial Day: THE DIGEST