|
Taming Stafford traffic tangle
Falmouth interchange design gains support from Stafford County supervisors
Date published: 8/22/2007
By KELLY HANNON
Stafford County supervisors have thrown their support behind a plan to improve the congested Falmouth intersection.
The Board of Supervisors endorsed a design yesterday that was supported by a previous board in 2002--a single-point urban interchange.
Butler Road and Warrenton Road (U.S. 17) traffic would flow freely across an overpass. Underneath, U.S. 1 would be controlled by a traffic signal.
Vehicles turning right on U.S. 1 would yield; left turns would be controlled by the signal.
Yesterday's board action could convince the state to come forward with construction funds for the $28.5 million interchange project.
Cord Sterling, a Stafford resident who serves on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, said he is prepared to ask the state for the money.
The resolution "gives us some assurance that as long as this board sits they will not be changing the design they want," Sterling said.
Earlier this year, Sterling helped secure $10 million for the project's design, engineering and right of way access. That money is budgeted through July 2013. Afterwards, the project needs construction money to advance.
A few other designs were in the running, and Sterling wanted clarity on the county officials' pick.
In 2002, a different board endorsed the single-point interchange, but later asked the Virginia Department of Transportation not to pursue it, said David Ogle, administrator of the Fredericksburg VDOT district.
Among the designs not chosen were cloverleaf interchanges, and another design that would have widened lanes throughout the existing intersection.
A roundabout was also considered in recent months.
But the discussion kept returning to the unique dynamics of the Falmouth intersection, which handles about 6,000 cars at the peak hour, from 4 to 5 p.m.
All that volume means motorists can sit through two, three, even four cycles of the traffic signal before advancing.
It has become a safety hazard, too. Rescue vehicles must enter opposing traffic lanes to pass during rush hour, and the intersection can be overwhelmed whenever there is a crash or gridlock on Interstate 95.
At the same time, the area has historic resources in close proximity to the intersection.
The cloverleaf options would move traffic through the intersection most efficiently, said Harry Lee, VDOT assistant district administrator.
Date published: 8/22/2007
Most recent reader comments:
hmmm...
(posted by
testsubj
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
there must be some available land in the surrounding areas that a bypass can be cut thru without having to re-contruct RT.1 .... a bypass that runs parallel to rt.1 on either side of I-95 is an option.. .there has to be some enoug land up adn down that string to build a 3-lane highgway on .... cos face it, that rt.1/rt.17 X is pretty much stuck as is as crowded that area is
TOUCHE' (I.e., Long Overdue!)
(posted by
Thistle1
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
UNBELIEVEABLE! How Many Accidents, or peoples lives have to be affected, before this County Does anything. I'm also speaking from a point of view., from a Firefighters Wife, and EMT, and President of Falmouth FD. How long does it take Stafford Cty to make a Decision.? While they are at it......throw this one in there. Falmouth FD has been trying to get a RED Light at they're firehouse. But, Guess the YMCA CAME First with MORE Priority.
Long Overdue!
(posted by
ivosphere
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
This should have been approved and completed by now. It makes me wonder what the previous Board of Supervisors were doing the past five years? Certainly not improving the local roadways for their taxpayers!
|
Star Directory
