‘No Left Turn’ Quad Intersection Could Negatively Impact Dumfries

DUMFRIES INTERSECTION 

DUMFRIES, Va. — Dumfries officials want to ensure proposed changes to the intersection of Va. 234 and U.S. 1 won’t negatively impact the town.

This week, Mayor Jerry Foreman and Dumfries staff met with the Virginia Department of Transportation to discuss concerns about a new quadrant intersection, or quad, to be built at Va. 234 and U.S. 1.

With a rezoning already recommended for approval last month by the Prince William County Planning Commission, builders of the nearby Potomac Shores neighborhood of 3,000 new homes want to change a nearly decade-old plan to build a flyover at the intersection of Va. 234 and U.S. 1 and instead build the quad.

The plan now must go to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

If the quad is constructed, left turns would be prohibited at the intersection but drivers would gain easier access to Potomac Shores via a new road aptly named Potomac Shores Parkway.

The current intersection is already known to be a traffic trouble spot, and half of the new proposed quad will be located in Prince William County and the other half in Dumfries.

In addition to the quad, town officials also fear that an service road called for as part of the plan, to be constructed in front of a McDonalds, Taco Bell, 7-Eleven, and a gas station as part of the quad, will limit access to businesses that contribute significantly to Dumfries’ tax coffers.

Earlier this year, officials at Potomac Shores met with elected officials in Dumfries and showed them what the plans are for the new road and intersection.

“The Potomac Shores presentation shows no weaknesses in their plan… their plan didn’t take into account for the anticipated 3,000 cars that will travel Potomac Shores Parkway… or the 54,000 that will travel north and south [on U.S. 1] through the intersection,” said Dumfries Mayor Foreman. “This will be the busiest intersection in Prince William County [on U.S. 1].”

Also as part of the plan, the current Old Stage Coach Road in Dumfries that currently intersects with Va. 234 at U.S. 1 will be turned into a cul de sac to make way for Potomac Shores Parkway.

But the design of the roadway has already went through the public comment period, where residents can voice their concerns about the project, said VDOT’s Maria Sinner at the meeting.

The applicant [Potomac Shores] feels like they have adequately met with the town, they have provided the traffic plans, and they have received the comments on the plan,” said Sinner.

She also clarified who would own the quad intersection once built.

“It’s two primary roads, so VDOT owns the road,” said Sinner.