From VDOT: 

Northern Virginia’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at Interstate 66 and Route 15 will be one step closer to completion once the new traffic signal mast arms are installed at Route 15 and Route 55, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Lane closures at the intersection, as well as intermittent full closures up to 15 minutes each will occur to facilitate the work.

Lane closures will occur between 9 p.m. Thursday, July 20 and 5 a.m. Friday, July 21. Total stoppages lasting no more than 15 minutes each will occur between midnight and 5 a.m. Prince William County Police will be on site to direct traffic.

Also, paving around the intersection is scheduled to occur the nights of Thursday, July 20 through Tuesday, July 2

Our region is in for some sweltering for the end of the work week and weekend. Bookmark this post for the latest updates to help you beat the heat.

Today, Thursday, July 20, 2017, a heat advisory is in effect with temperatures climbing to the century mark.

From the National Weather Service: 

…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has issued a Heat Advisory, which is in effect from noon today to 7 PM EDT this evening.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES…Up to around 105 degrees.

* IMPACTS…The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Heat Advisory means that a period of high temperatures is expected. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency – call 911.

The Drop In Center for Homeless will operate extended hours today & tomorrow 12-6p & Friday 1-7p due to high temps. https://t.co/hGnAQVC8g5

— PrinceWilliamCounty (@pwcgov) July 18, 2017

Update 3:30 p.m.

@MCB_Quantico is operating under black flag conditions.https://t.co/hKO6FovQr6 pic.twitter.com/iuKOYZ7vR5

— MCB Quantico (@MCB_Quantico) July 20, 2017

Update 4 p.m.

There’s a Code Orange air quality alert for the region tomorrow.

From EPA’s AIRNow Program:

USG conditions likely once again for Friday. With strong high pressure persisting over the region for the last several days, a fairly dirty residual layer has built up. Meanwhile, a very weak front will slowly try to make its way south through the region. Despite the threat of afternoon clouds, the dirty residual layer along with continued warmth and enough breaks of sun will provide sufficient support for USG conditions along and east of I-95. A bit more in the way of cloud coverage is expected Saturday and Sunday as the frontal system is expected to stall across the region. This along with lowered weekend emissions will help keep ozone levels in check despite continued warmth.

HAYMARKET — Residents who will be impacted by the construction of new overhead power line are calling out Dominion Energy, saying the company will run the line through a historically black neighborhood once occupied by freed slaves.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission in June approved the Carver Road route for a 230kV power line that will run from the intersection of Interstate 66 and Prince William Parkway to a new substation just outside Haymarket on Route 15. There are about 75 properites and homes in the area first owned by African Americans following the end of slavery.

The new line will be used to support the power needs for a series of three new data centers that will be owned by Amazon, Inc. Construction of the first of three centers, next to the power substation, is nearly complete.

“A few weeks ago, Dominion Power changed its name, but it didn’t change its ways. It’s still a corporate bully,” said Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman, At-large Corey Stewart.

Stewart led a press conference outside the county government center on Tuesday. Residents of the Carver Road neighborhood told reporters that the power line would run through their historic properties.

“Taking homes from people who have lived there for 150 years is immoral,” said EJ Scott, of the Prince William Chapter of the NAACP.

The Carver Road route was one of the multiple route options Dominion submitted to the State Corporation Commission for consideration. Other options included a hybrid line that would have seen half of the new power line be built overhead while and a second portion of the line buried.

Another route would have taken the new power line along an existing railroad line that runs through Haymarket. (more…)

Garnett Y. “Trip” Carpenter III, 63 passed away on Tuesday June 27th, 2017 in Stuart, Florida. Trip was born at Fauquier Hospital on October 28th, 1953 and raised in Manassas, VA. Trip worked many years in the printing industry, but mainly Trip was able to do what he loved the most playing the drums and making music.
Trip was preceded in death by his parents, Garnett Y. Carpenter Jr. and Jody Carpenter. Survivors include three siblings Chris Carpenter of Manassas, Virginia, Joan Lee Moretti and husband Victor of Catlett, Virginia and Kimberley Spear and husband Patrick Lee of Manassas, Virginia, two nephews Matthew Lee Spear and wife Brenda Lee of Elkridge, Maryland and Joshua Lee Clouser of Catlett, Virginia and great nephew Ayden Lee Spear and great niece Kylee Spear both of Elkridge, Maryland. The family will receive friends for a remembrance memorial from 6:00pm-8:00pm Wednesday, July 26th, 2017 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street Manassas, VA. 20110 Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Boxer Rescue and Adoption, Inc. 11003 Raccoon Ridge Court Reston, VA 20191 in memory of Garnett Y. “Trip” Carpenter III.
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent”

From County of Prince William Department of Fire and Rescue:

On Tuesday, July 18 at 11:51 p.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to an apartment fire located in the 11200 block of Lady Jane Loop in Manassas. Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire on the rear balcony of an apartment within the multi-family complex. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire with no extension.

No injuries reported. (more…)