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Traffic often backs up on U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 near Massaponax on holidays, weekends and week nights.

Consultant reveals future vision for roads in the Massaponax area

Date published: 9/13/2007

By KELLY HANNON

A consultant hired by Spotsylvania County envisions a massive reworking of highways to handle traffic growth in the Massaponax area.

The centerpiece of the study is a new Interstate 95 interchange between the Spotsylvania and Thornburg exits.

A cloverleaf interchange, dubbed the Jackson Gateway, would give drivers access to I-95 between Cosner's Corner and Massaponax Church Road.

The consultant, Michael Baker Jr. Inc. of Richmond, also recommended new ramps at Spotsylvania Exit 126 and upgrading the diamond interchange at Thornburg to a cloverleaf.

The three interchange recommendations are "what we feel is necessary to accommodate the future traffic volume," said Paul Prideaux, assistant vice president of the Baker firm.

The Massaponax Corridor Traffic Study was presented this week to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

Building the entire plan could cost upward of $400 million, according to the study. The county had not identified a funding source yet for the work.

The consultant staff looked at development plans for 2012 and 2022 in the Massaponax area, and the number of vehicle trips that development would generate. Staff used computer models to predict future traffic counts.

Based on calculations, they see a need to improve "redundancy," Prideaux said. That means giving motorists multiple ways to reach a destination, preventing the need to get on U.S. 1 for all trips, he said.

Spotsylvania supervisors unanimously approved sending the consultant's report to the county Planning Commission.

A public hearing will be held before that group. Another hearing would be held before the supervisors if the Planning Commission recommends making it part of the county's Comprehensive Plan.

Several supervisors stressed the need for public input on the study.

"I want to be sure nothing will be done until the Planning Commission makes a recommendation back to the Board of Supervisors, and we have the last say," said Berkeley District Supervisor Emmitt Marshall.

Lee Hill District Supervisor Vince Onorato said improving the Thornburg interchange could encourage residential development in Caroline that would impact Spotsylvania's roads, but Spotsylvania wouldn't reap the benefits of developer proffers.

"I'd expect that to put additional pressure on that interchange," Onorato said.

Chancellor District Supervisor Hap Connors inquired about the consultant's efforts on cyclist and pedestrian safety.

JACKSON GATEWAY Having no I-95 access from the Spotsylvania exit to Thornburg is straining the ability of U.S. 1 to carry traffic, said Brian Curtis, a senior transportation engineer with Michael Baker Jr. Inc. Many of the intersections on U.S. 1 between Harrison Road and Massaponax Church Road were graded an "E" or "F" during rush hours. An "F" is the lowest grade on an A-F scale, similar to the school scale. The situation without a new interchange is going to get significantly worse," Curtis said. A new bridge would carry U.S. 17 traffic across I-95 to U.S. 1. A small interchange would be built where U.S. 17 and U.S. 1 would meet. EXIT 126/SPOTSYLVANIA Spotsylvania Exit 126 at U.S. 1 received a lot of attention in the study. The consultant recommended building new on-ramps and exit ramps. Two traffic lanes are already being added to U.S. 1 south at the I-95 south exit ramp. This southbound ramp is currently operating at an "F" rating in the afternoons. The new lanes should help traffic exit the ramp faster, shortening the line of cars sitting on the interstate shoulder waiting to turn right on U.S. 1. The consultant recommended keeping this ramp open. But the study suggests building a new I-95 north on-ramp and I-95 south exit ramp that would align with Market Street at U.S. 1. From there, vehicles could cross U.S. 1 to drive onto an extension of Market Street that would circle behind office buildings and connect with Germanna Drive. This would eliminate traffic bound for the Lee's Hill area from using U.S. 1 and U.S. 17 to get to and from I-95. The study looks at two possible routes for this road, now called "Spotsylvania Avenue" options 1 and 2. EXIT 118/THORNBURG Often referred to as the "sleeping giant," the I-95 interchange at Thornburg has the potential to be the next employment center within Spotsylvania County, according to the study. Keeping that in mind, the consultant considers the current diamond interchange inadequate to handle future traffic--and sometimes, current traffic. The I-95 north ramps at Mudd Tavern Road got an "F" during the morning peak hour and "E" in the afternoon. Building a cloverleaf interchange north of today's interchange was recommended. This would require relocating Mudd Tavern Road, State Route 606. INTERCHANGE PLANS Spotsylvania's not the only locality talking about additional I-95 interchanges. Stafford County and the Virginia Department of Transportation are working to design a new Courthouse Road/State Route 630 interchange. The region's planning body, FAMPO, has a study under way that will determine the feasibility of building an interchange near the Fredericksburg Welcome Center and Rest Area. The Federal Highway Administration would have to approve any new interchanges. It studies how interchanges would impact interstate and local traffic.

Date published: 9/13/2007

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