Motorists who encountered unexpected roadblocks, such as Tuesday's pipeline explosion, probably did not know about them ahead of time.

The WV 511 system allows them to find out about those situations, before they head out on the road.

"This system is going to allow travelers to plan for road closures, accidents, storm events, any reason to believe there would be traffic delays on their trip," says Paul Mattox, West Virginia Transportation Secretary. "We also have a function for smart phones. They're voice-activated, if you're in your car, you can actually get this information through your smart phone."

Even landline phone users can get through to the system by dialing 511. and a new website, wv511.org, allows users to check out an interactive map for locations of traffic incident, construction and weather delays.

It includes views of traffic cameras on state highways, and messages on electronic highway signs.

"I think having that knowledge out there, and getting it to the public, is very important," says Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. "Because we have hundreds of thousands of cars each day traveling on our highways in West Virginia. To be able to get the information out is very important to the traveling public."

The Division of Highways adds that wv 511 provides information on amber and silver alerts.

A link to the 511 site is available by clicking the "Hot Button" on our home page.