HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (AP) - The Virginia Department of Transportation says its crews are ready for Hurricane Irene.

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VDOT said Wednesday in a news release that crews have practiced for hurricane conditions during drills and training simulations. Many have worked during previous hurricanes.

Their duties after a hurricane include removing debris and downed trees from roadways, setting up traffic control and detours and making emergency repairs to damaged roads and bridges.

Irene strengthened to a major Category 3 storm over the Bahamas on Wednesday. The projected path has gradually shifted to the east and Irene could make landfall anywhere from South Carolina to Massachusetts over the weekend.

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Online:
VDOT emergency response: http://www.virginiadot.org/about/emer-response.asp.