FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
Be aware of possible congestion and changes in traffic patterns on US 29 and side roads near Oak Ridge Estate from Wednesday evening, August 22 through midday Monday, August 27. The highest volumes of traffic on Route 29 are expected to occur during the overnight hours of Wednesday through early Thursday evening, early on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and during the departure period Sunday afternoon into midday Monday.
On Wednesday, contractors working for the Lockn’ Festival, in collaboration with the Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), will begin setting up traffic control south of the Lovingston area. Due to the possibility of increased congestion, several changes in traffic patterns are planned, including:
-On Wednesday evening, early arrival event traffic will be directed off Route 29 onto Route 29 Business (Front Street) at the traffic signal at Lovingston, from there onto Route 56 (James River Rd,) and then right onto Oak Ridge Rd.( Route 650)
-From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, all cross-overs from the U-turn location (between Ross Road and Morse Lane) to the first cross-over north of Oak Ridge Road will be closed..
-On Thursday evening, the U-turn location will be shifted north of Route 56 (to South Lena Rose Lane) and crossovers between the U-turn and first cross-over north of Oak Ridge Rd. will be closed until Sunday evening. Crossovers south of Route 56 will be opened.
-Heavier than normal traffic over Arrington Road (Rte. 665) from Route 29 to Diggs Mtn. Rd and over Diggs Mountain Road (Route 668) to Oak Ridge Road (Rte. 650) can be expected throughout the day on Thursday.
-Oak Ridge Road between Route 29 and Route 56 will be closed to through traffic at various times on Wednesday evening and throughout the day on Thursday.
– Wilson Road (Route 653) may be closed to event traffic. As a contingency plan, Wilson Road will be used for event vehicles (no oversized vehicles or RVs).
-Through traffic on Route 29 South will use the right lane; event traffic will use the left lane, and
– Through traffic on Route 29 North will use the left lane from north of the abandoned cross over at Nelson County High School; event traffic will use the right lane.
If considering an alternate route, motorists are encouraged to use Route 151 (Patrick Henry Highway) from the intersection of Route 29/151 in Amherst County to the intersection of Route 250/151 in Albemarle County. This route is not recommended for trucks.
Motorists should anticipate additional vehicles, including recreational vehicles on Route 29 and several adjoining secondary routes, including Oak Ridge Road (Route 653), Arrington and Variety Mills Road (Route 655), Williamstown Road (Route 722), James River Road (Route 56), and Findlay Mt. Road (Route 647).
Message boards, other traffic control devices and a Traffic Hazard Advisory Radio will be used to alert motorists to these changes in traffic patterns and any major congestion issues. A Safety Service Patrol unit will also be available during peak traffic periods to assist with any incidents that may occur.
