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Most motorists like new bypass

Spotsylvania Courthouse Bypass has helped traffic in the historic courthouse district

Date published: 2/24/2008

By DAN TELVOCK

Spotsylvania County's Courthouse Bypass may not be perfect, but drivers and officials say it is doing wonders for the traffic jams in the historic district and at Brock Road.

Although a few drivers have found the bypass hard to navigate, and nearby business owners say they've been impacted by changes in the traffic pattern, state and county officials said last week that most of the feedback has been positive.

The first phase of the project cost $13.5 million for 3 miles. It terminates at Block House Road north of the Po River.

Meanwhile, state and local officials are seeking ways to improve the road. Here's a look at what's coming up.

Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com

Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tina Bundy said she has not had any complaints about navigating the new road patterns. "We've not heard any negative complaints about it other than from the businesses that feel they have been impacted since we took the bulk of the traffic off of [State Route] 208 Business and onto the bypass," she said. Construction continues at the beginning of the bypass heading west, and where it ends. Plantation Forest Drive is closed to traffic until this spring. VDOT has installed signs to direct motorists to the businesses in that area, such as A Snip Beyond and Git-n-Go. Tina Ragen, the franchisee of the 7-Eleven on 208 Business, said her store is down 100 to 150 customers a day. VDOT held a meeting Wednesday with the business owners to discuss the project. Bundy said it was "a huge success." The bypass will extend as a two-lane road from Block House Road to the Ta River about a quarter-mile south of the Post Oak crossroads. This section of the bypass will eliminate two 90-degree turns and provide a quicker route to and from the Lake Anna area. This portion of the project is expected to cost about $22 million. On Tuesday, supervisors plan to send to the federal government a funding request for $3.6 million. County officials hope to commence the project in 2010. This phase is on VDOT's six-year capital improvement program. To view narrated video clips on navigating the Courthouse Bypass, visit fredericks burg.com. "This is a convenience store no longer in a convenient location. It's a beautiful road and there's no backup here, but it's not good for business." --Tina Ragen, franchisee of 7-Eleven on State Route 208 Business. The bypass sends motorists away from her store. "When the project is completed, it's going to be an even greater improvement for the area." --Irma Ford (left) "Before the road was built, at 4:30 in the afternoon traffic started backing almost to Bloom's all the way up on two lanes." --James Ford (right) Plantation Forest Drive residents "I think it's good for the traffic, especially during rush hour. It's been bad for business in terms of the traffic flow in front of the businesses. If you don't drive by, you don't stop." --Monica Cox, Mill Pond Road resident "I don't get backed up with traffic here like before. I go to the battlefield to walk my dog almost every day, and it's very convenient." --Alex Osleger, Treemont Lane resident

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Date published: 2/24/2008

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