The N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction activities that could affect travel over the Easter holiday to help ease traffic delays and make driving conditions easier.

Work suspension along interstate and U.S. routes across the state will begin at 4 p.m., Thursday, April 9, and continue until 9 a.m., Monday, April 13.

A notable exception is a lane closure planned for northbound Interstate 85 between mile markers 206 and 214 in Vance County for pavement rehabilitation. One of two lanes will be closed while the department places concrete barriers for an upcoming traffic shift.

In addition, one of three lanes will be closed on both I-85 North and South at the interchange with N.C. 62 at Exit 113 in Guilford County due to construction of the U.S. 311 Bypass. No work will occur during the holiday; however, the right lane in each direction will remain closed.

Gov. Bev Perdue proclaimed April Work Zone Safety Awareness Month to remind motorists to drive safely through North Carolina's work zones. This year, each interstate will have construction, making 2009 one of the most active construction seasons in recent years for road crews and increasing the need for work zone safety awareness.

This year's construction increase is due to projects awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as through Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles, or GARVEE bonds, which allow NCDOT to borrow against future federal funding to complete needed projects.

The department offers the following driving tips during the holidays:

- Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times;
- Stay alert. Even though workers may not be present in the majority of work zones, drivers may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts;
- Be patient and obey the posted speed limit. The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250;
- Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion; and
- Call 511, the department's free travel information line, or visit www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel for real-time travel information.

Motorists are also reminded to move over when passing stopped emergency vehicles or if involved in a minor accident. Under the "Move Over" law, motorists are required to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped law enforcement, emergency vehicles, wreckers and NCDOT's Incident Management Assistance Patrol Vehicles with flashing lights. Similarly, the "Fender Bender" law requires motorists to clear the roadway of non-injury accidents to help keep traffic moving and reduce the likelihood of secondary crashes.