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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
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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." |
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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 |
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To view narrated video clips on |
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"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 --James Ford (right) Plantation Forest Drive residents
"I think it's good for the traffic, especially during --Monica Cox,
"I don't get backed up with traffic here like before. I go to the battlefield to walk my dog --Alex Osleger, |
