Stafford County Supervisor Crystal Vanuch, recognizing the crucial role of the Fredericksburg Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) in transportation planning, recently reached out seeking data on the teleworking trends among Federal Government employees.
This inquiry, driven by the concern that a significant portion of Virginia Railway Express (VRE) riders are federal employees, underscores the potential impact of a recall to in-person office work on peak-hour traffic congestion along Interstate 95.
Ian Ollis, Administrator of FAMPO, responded to Vanuch’s request, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to providing accurate and reliable data. While they could not comment on federal government departments’ future plans, he reiterated that FAMPO is dedicated to utilizing publicly available information to the best of its ability.
Kahti Srikanth, Executive Director for the Virginia Transportation Planning Board and Deputy Executive Director for the Washington Council of Governments, acknowledged Vanuch’s inquiry. According to a National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) survey, before the coronavirus pandemic, less than a quarter of federal employees teleworked in 2019, with only 56% of those offered telework accepting it. However, since then, agencies have faced challenges in reporting telework and eligibility figures.
Loren Dejonge Schulma, Associate Director of Performance and Personnel Management at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, indicated in a presentation to a Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) meeting that telework will likely stay. However, its implementation varies case by case, with no one-size-fits-all approach.
A regional survey conducted every three years titled “State of the Commute” revealed significant shifts in telework behavior. In 2022, 79% of federal employees reported routinely teleworking, compared to just 48% in 2018. Furthermore, in 2022, 92% of all workers teleworked at least one day a week, with 71% teleworking three or more days per week.
Ian Ollis emphasized the importance of regular updates on the number of federal workers returning to in-person work to aid transportation planning studies in the region.
Sarah Romero is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
Fire and rescue crews are on the scene of a brush fire on Interstate 95 near Quantico.
As you can see from the photos above, taken from VDOT cameras, smoke is billowing from the forested areas on the southbound side of the highway, near milepost 148, Quantico Marine Corps Base’s back gate.
At least two lanes of I-95 South are blocked by the fire scene, resulting in more than four miles of backups.
I-95 SOUTHBOUND: Expect delays approaching exit 148 (Quantico) near Stafford and Prince William county line for a brush fire. 2 I-95 southbound lanes remain open. Congestion begins 4+ miles approaching scene. @VaDOTNOVA @VaDOT @MCB_Quantico pic.twitter.com/WvJqlFFhnY
— VDOT Fredericksburg (@VaDOTFRED) April 15, 2024
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Last month, brush fires in the same areas forced the closure of Route 1 and snarled traffic for those trying to exit Quantico Marine Corps Base. Some base staffers were trapped on base for three to four hours.
The investigation revealed the driver of a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling westbound on Dale Blvd. approaching Cherrydale Dr. at a high rate of speed when the driver crossed over the median into the eastbound lanes and struck a guardrail. The vehicle continued through the intersection before driving down into a barrier on Cranmer Mews.
The vehicle struck a tree, flipped over, and rested upside down. The driver of the car and the only occupant of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased at the scene. Speed and impairment appear to be factors in the crash.
“We do not have toxicology back yet so we can’t say specifically what the impairment was,” a police spokeswoman told us.
Investigators with the Crash Investigation Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact police. The investigation continues.
The deceased driver of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze was identified as Lavone Rasheed RICHARDSON-CROSBY, 34, of no fixed address.
I-95 Northbound: Exit 104 (Carmel Church): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 103, just before the interchange at the bridge over CSX railroad tracks for bridge washing.
- Exit 118 (Thornburg): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 117, just before exit 118 (Thornburg), at the bridge over the Matta River for bridge washing.
- Exit 118 (Thornburg): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 119 after exit 118 (Thornburg) at the bridge over the Po River for bridge washing.
- Exit 118 (Thornburg) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 121 at the bridge over the Ni River for bridge washing.
- Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Alternating single lane closure at the bridge over Route 1 for bridge washing.
- Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closures on both local and through travel lanes at the bridges over the Rappahannock River for bridge washing.
- Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Sunday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating single and double lane closures on I-95 northbound in the through travel lanes and local travel lanes at mile markers 132-134 for paving.
- Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 132-133 for guardrail as part of 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.
- Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) On-Ramp Closure: Sunday – Thursday, Midnight – 3:30 a.m. I-95 northbound on-ramp from Route 17 northbound will close. Signs will direct drivers to the detour route.
- Exit 140 (Stafford) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 141 -142 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project. Construction of a noise barrier.
- Exit 148 (Quantico): Sunday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 146-148 beginning at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 4:30 a.m. for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
I-95 Northbound and Southbound: Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closures on both I-95 northbound and southbound starting at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. between mile markers 125-126. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Construction of a new overpass of I-95 at Route 17 (Mills Drive).
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OmniRide: OmniRide hosted the 2024 Virginia State Bus Roadeo April 5 – April 7 at the organization’s Western Facility near Manassas. Thirty-four bus operators and seven maintenance teams from across the state took part in this safety and operations competition
The top operator was Nathan Harris from the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC). The maintenance team winners were from Fairfax Connector: Oscar Matamoros, Mario Llanos, Martin Lopez. They will now test their skills at the national competition in Portland, Ore., on April 26-30.
OmniRide bus operator Mohamed Elatrebi won fourth place. This was the fifth time Mr. Elatrebi has competed at the statewide roadeo; previously his best finish was first place in 2023. Along with Mr. Elatrebi, two other OmniRide operators placed in the top 30: Frank Cardona (13th place), Eugene James (15th place), and Patrick Daley (30th place). OmniRide’s maintenance team won fourth place and included Alberto Morales, Doug Scott, and Nelson Zaragoza. All the OmniRide competitors work for Keolis, which is the contract operator of OmniRide’s bus services.
OmniRide is the operating name for the mobility services offered by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). The organization provides Local bus service in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park; Express service for commuters along the I-95 and I-66 corridors to employment centers in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.; and Metro Express which connects riders with Metro Stations. In addition, OmniRide’s Employer Services assists local employers who wish to establish or expand an employee transportation program.
Virignia State Police: At 1 p.m., Sunday, April 14, Virginia State Police initiated a traffic stop on a Toyota Sienna traveling east on Interstate 66 at the 17-mile marker in Fauquier County. The traffic violation was for no state inspection.
The Toyota refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. The Toyota continued into Prince William County, eventually crashing on eastbound Interstate 66 at the 45-mile marker. The Toyota’s driver, an adult male, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
An adult female passenger was also transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
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Virginia State Police press release): The Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Monday (April 8, 2024) at 3:30 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound at the 151-mile marker.
A 1986 GMC pickup was driving northbound on I95 when the driver ran off the road left, struck the guardrail, overcorrected and then struck a 2023 Kia Telluride. The Telluride was also travelling north. The GMC pickup then rolled over twice.
A passenger in the pickup, Nora L. Butler, 48, was ejected and died at the scene. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the pickup, Kenneth L. Combo, Jr., 59, of Leesburg, was seriously injured. Charges are pending against Combo for failing to maintain control of the vehicle.
The driver of the Telluride, Johnnie Robinson, 73, of Savannah, Georgia, was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 9, community leaders and residents of Prince William County will gather for a significant milestone in local infrastructure development. U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, representing Virginia’s 7th congressional district, will join Prince William County officials for a press conference marking the securing of $2.5 million in funding for an interchange at Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway.
Recently signed into law, the funding is earmarked for constructing an interchange and other enhancements at the intersection of Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway.
The event, scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 10 to 10:30 a.m., will occur at the James J. McCoart Administration Building Plaza, located at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge, Virginia.
The project’s focal point is the establishment of a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) at the Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway intersection. This infrastructure development aims to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance safety measures, improve accessibility and connectivity, and bolster regional economic initiatives.
Additionally, the allocated funds will support the construction of sidewalks and trail segments, contributing to pedestrian and cyclist safety while enhancing their mobility options within the community.
Spanberger’s efforts underscore a collaborative approach between federal and local authorities to address critical infrastructure needs, reflecting a commitment to advancing the well-being and prosperity of Prince William County residents.
Authorities said a woman was severely injured while walking along Interstate 95 near Quantico.
State police tell us:
Virginia State Police is investigating a crash involving a pedestrian and two vehicles which occurred at 8:45 a.m. Monday (April 1, 2024) on Interstate 95 southbound at the 148-mile marker in Prince William County.
A 2012 Freightliner Cascadia truck was traveling southbound on I-95 when it was unable to avoid a pedestrian in the travel lanes. The Cascadia was then struck in the rear by 2023 Ram 3500.
The pedestrian, a 66-year-old woman of Falls Church, suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital and then flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond.
Neither driver was injured in the crash. Both were wearing their seatbelts.
The crash remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, a 48-year-old Woodbridge man was injured in a crash on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Virginia State Police is investigating two separate crashes that occurred Sunday (March 31, 2024) at 3:38 a.m. on the Interstate 66 Express Lanes (westbound) at the 56-mile marker in Fairfax County.
The first crash occurred when a 2019 Toyota C-HR lost control on Interstate 66 westbound, struck the right guardrail, overturned into the lanes of travel, and then ended up in the I-66 westbound express lanes. The vehicle also lost power.
Following that crash, a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, traveling westbound in the express lanes, was unable to avoid the C-HR, and struck the C-HR in the rear. The Range Rover then overturned twice into the median.
A passenger in the Range Rover, My Doan, 43, was ejected and suffered serious injuries. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Range Rover, George Davis III, 48, of Woodbridge, Va., and a second passenger, Shamal Taylor, 40, suffered minor injuries. Taylor was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the C-HR, Jose G. Mendoza, 32, of Falls Church, Va., suffered minor injuries. Mendoza has been charged with driving under the Influence (first offense).
The crash remains under investigation.
