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Watch those curves on State Route 3 West.
FILE/ROBERT A. MARTIN/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
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Please, think about safety on State Route 3
Date published: 9/22/2008
Less than a year ago, I approached the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors with a petition signed by more than 70 people expressing concern about the traffic safety on State Route 3 between Stevensburg and Lignum.
After much communication among residents, various officials, and VDOT, some additional signs were erected along a particularly dangerous curve.
As has been reported, there was yet another fatality along the same section of Route 3 ["Speed a concern at fatal crash site," Sept. 4].
Route 3 is dual-lane from the east to Lignum and from the west to Stevensburg. Between is a four-mile stretch of two-lane road that is probably the most dangerous section of road in Culpeper County.
I realize there is always a reason for an auto accident: alcohol, speed, inattentiveness, equipment failure, poor road design, etc. But action needs to be taken to lessen the risk.
Drive out there, but be careful--the road is deceiving. The road is wide and flat with open shoulders, good sight lines, and only gradual curves. There is nothing that would bring to mind the dangers.
But look at the memorial crosses and flowers. Think about what is happening out there. Think about the death and destruction. Think about dumping dual lanes of traffic into an already accident-prone stretch of road. Think about safety.
I attended a recent Board of Supervisors public session and asked the supervisors to submit a resolution to VDOT so that a study of traffic safety and engineering can be completed.
I asked that they look at lowering the speed limit or some other measure of safety for that section of Route 3.
Please encourage your supervisor to participate in such a resolution. It may not be the solution, but it would add a layer of improvement.
JoAnne Russell
Culpeper
Date published: 9/22/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Help is on the way
(posted by
wideopenspace
, Sep. 22, 2008 5:53 pm)
already. VDOT is moving to get that 4 mile stretch widened to 4 lanes as quickly as they can. It is being pushed through as high priority due to the amount of fatal wrecks in that area. Actually there is only 1 curve in that stretch and it is where the majority of the wrecks take place. The road is not in the greatest of shape in that 1 curve and just west of it. It has some area's of weeping asphalt, where water is seeping up through the asphalt and the road is deteriorating.
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