HENDERSON -- NCDOT officials are cautioning drivers who take Interstate 85 to and from Virginia.

Construction has reduced traffic to one lane each way for 15 miles in Vance and Warren Counties. It's a part of a $137.3 million project to widen the interstate and repair bridges.

“You can't pass. If you happen to get behind a tractor trailer, even then you're vision is blocked and we understand that's frustrating,” says Steve Abbott with NCDOT.

“Obviously if you're going to travel, you don't want to go through there Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving...or don't come back Sunday afternoon,” he adds.

Abbott advises people to take detours, such as Highway 158 or Interstate 95 during the holiday travel season.

He says NCDOT hopes to open more lanes as it gets closer to the Christmas travel season.