New bridge abutments in place as Route 1 widening project continues in Woodbridge

The effort to widen Route 1 in Woodbridge continues despite the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Virginia Department of Transportation reports that concrete abutments are in place or a new bridge that will carry Route 1 traffic over the Maurmsco Creek.

You’ll remember that, during Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, the creek overflowed its banks and its waters did significant damage to nearby Holly Acres Mobile Home Park. Multiple residents were displaced, and Prince William County condemned multiple trailer homes.

Also part of the widening project, Just north of the Marumsco Creek, reconstruction of the Annapolis Way intersection will happen during the first week of April.

VDOT spokeswoman Ellen Kamalikis tells us:

The next milestone is the traffic switch between the Marumsco Bridge and Occoquan Road.

The existing northbound lanes will be shifted onto the new pavement to allow the construction of the new median and new northbound lanes. This should be accomplished by the end of April.

The big switch which will be the substantial completion of the project, when all traffic between Annapolis Way and Mary’s Way will be moved to the final configuration, is scheduled towards the end of summer.

This switch will be followed by the completion of lighting, landscaping, final surface paving, final striping, and all other miscellaneous items.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed towards the end of November this year.

Construction crews are practicing social distancing, and the work for them is made easier due to the lighter than normal volume of traffic on the roadways due to the pandemic.

The $165 million project aims to widen Route 1 between Mary’s Way (near Marumsco Creek) to Annapolis Way (Occoquan River) from four to six lanes.

Last fall, we reported the project was delayed by one year after VDOT told us it would not be able to meet its original project completion timeframe of Fall 2020. Construction crews encountered several large rocks that has slowed progress, a VDOT spokeswoman told us last year.

This is the longest road project I’ve ever seen. I’m sure some of them are working hard but it’s been three years and it’s hard to tell what has been accomplished lol

— Payton Perez (@misspaytonnn) March 31, 2020

In addition to the wider road, The project also will bring improvements to Occoquan Road, including a median and turn lanes from Route 1 to south of Horner Road.

Also, additional through and turn lanes on Route 1 and Occoquan Road to improve traffic operations.

Crews will also add a ten-foot shared-use path and six-foot sidewalk
Demolition of several vacant buildings along the corridor.