Prince William County Police Department is offering a reward for information concerning the fatal hit-and-run crash on February 24 in the vicinity of Minnieville Road and Bobcat Court in Dale City.

The incident led to the death of 27-year-old Carla Andrea Mejia, of Woodbridge, who was walking along the roadway. Investigators recovered vehicle parts believed to belong to a 2009-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV or 2009-2013 Kia Sorento SUV, silver or light in color, with possible damage to the front end, wheel well, and/or undercarriage areas.

Despite efforts, the driver and vehicle remain elusive.

The police department is providing a reward of up to $5,000 for pertinent information. The investigation continues. Those with information can contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703.792.7000 or submit a web tip to pwcva.gov/policetip.

From January 1 to February 29, 2024, the police department investigated 17 pedestrian-related crashes, three of which were fatal. The total number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2024 is 55% higher than those seen year-to-date in both 2023 and 2022 and close to, if not more than double, seen in 2021 and 2020.

In 2024, pedestrian-related crashes have been shown to occur more in the morning, during the 6 a.m. hour, and in the evening between the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hours. During the week, Thursdays have seen the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes.

Stafford County residents are invited to participate in a public hearing regarding the proposed widening of Onville Road.

The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Anne Moncure Elementary School, aims to inform the community about a significant infrastructure project that could reshape transportation in the area.

The project, which focuses on the stretch of Onville Road from Worth Avenue to Hulvey Drive, proposes the construction of a continuous two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) and sidewalks on both sides of the road. These improvements are designed to enhance traffic flow, increase capacity, and bolster pedestrian safety along the corridor.

Residents will have the opportunity to review the proposed plans, including the National Environmental Policy Act document, which outlines the project’s environmental impact. The Stafford County Department of Capital Projects will make these materials available for inspection at their office located at 2128 Richmond Highway, Suite 203, Stafford, VA 22554, during regular business hours.

In addition to the public hearing, residents can submit written or oral comments by April 6, 2024, to Khapel Akbari at the Stafford County Department of Capital Projects office or via email at [email protected]. All comments should reference “Onville Road Widening Public Comment” in the subject heading.

The project, estimated to cost $23.2 million, will be funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Preliminary engineering is slated to begin in August 2025, with construction expected to commence in the fall of 2029.

Stafford County representatives will thoroughly review and evaluate all feedback received during the public hearing and comment period. Community engagement is paramount as the county moves forward with this critical infrastructure initiative.

The Prince William County Police Department is sounding the alarm over the increase in pedestrian-related crashes in 2024.

Find more in a Prince William Police Department press release:

From January 1 to February 29, 2024, the police department investigated 17 pedestrian-related crashes, three of which were fatal. The total number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2024 is 55% higher than those seen year-to-date in both 2023 and 2022 and close to if not more than double seen in 2021 and 2020.

In 2024, pedestrian-related crashes have shown to occur more in the morning, during the 6 a.m. hour, and the evening between the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hours. During the week, Thursdays have seen the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes.

Five year analysis: Pedestrian-related crashes:

Over the last five years, between 2019 and 2023, there were close to 22,000 reportable crashes along roadways in Prince William County. While pedestrian-related crashes overall accounted for only approximately 1.6% of total crashes during that timeframe, crashes resulting in a death and, specifically those amongst pedestrians, were about one in three, or 30% of total fatalities.

2023 analysis: Pedestrian-related crashes
In 2023, there were 87 pedestrian-related crashes in Prince William County, up 10.1% from 79 in 2022. While fatal pedestrian-related crashes fell 45.5% from a historic high of 11 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, the police department has investigated two fatal pedestrian crashes so far in 2024, both attributing to actions of the pedestrian as the cause. Overall, in 2023, the height of pedestrian crashes occurred in the fourth quarter of the year, totaling 28 or about 32.2%. The highest number occurred in October at 15, followed by May totaling 11.

The police department is urging both drivers and pedestrians to follow traffic laws and best practices to avoid meeting, if not exceeding, the number of pedestrian-related crashes this year. The number of pedestrian-related crashes in 2023 showed a considerable concentration in densely populated areas and along busy corridors, such as Richmond Highway, Old Bridge Road, and Sudley Road, where best practices are especially needed.

Best practices for drivers and pedestrians

• Following all traffic laws.
• Planning time and a route ahead of leaving your home.
• Obeying all posted signs and signals.
• Limiting phone and other distractions.
• Avoiding impairments such as alcohol and drugs, and for pedestrians specifically, dressing to be seen.
• Keeping out of the roadway unless legally crossing in a designated area such as a crosswalk.

Learn more helpful tips by visiting pwcva.gov/trafficsafety.

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 for bridge work. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Construction of a new overpass of I-95 at Route 17 (Mills Drive).

I-95 Northbound: Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures for paving on I-95 northbound in the through travel lanes and local travel lanes between exits 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg and exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford.

• Exit 140 (Stafford) to 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile 142 for sign work. 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.

I-95 Southbound: Exit 148 (Quantico): Tuesday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 147-146 beginning at 9 p.m. followed by a double lane closure at 10 p.m. All lanes reopen by 4:30 a.m. on weekdays. On Friday night, single lane closure only begins at 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

• Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Monday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 139-138. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 133 (Route 17) Off-Ramp Closure: Monday – Friday, Midnight – 3 a.m. I-95 southbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound toward Warrenton will close each evening. Signs will guide drivers along the detour route.

City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County: Chatham Bridge (Route 3 Business): Tuesday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Single lane closures on the Chatham Bridge over the Rappahannock River, which carries Route 3 Business traffic between the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County. Routine, scheduled bridge inspection.

Spotsylvania County: Houser Drive Park and Ride Lot: Starting Monday, March 4, the Park and Ride commuter lot on Houser Drive, near the Route 208 (Courthouse Road) intersection, will be closed through Tuesday, March 19, weather permitting, for resurfacing of the lot and the painting of new pavement markings. To find an alternative Park and Ride lot location during the temporary closure, visit the VDOT Park and Ride interactive map.

• Route 617 (Hams Ford Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Morris Road and Ford Road for resurfacing.
• Route 621 (Orange Plank Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Single lane closure between Route 3 and the Orange County line. Road shoulder repairs. One-way, alternating traffic.
• Route 645 (Sunset Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Morris Road and Hams Ford Road for resurfacing.
• Route 655 (Ridge Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between Courthouse Road and Hams Ford Road for resurfacing.
• I-95 Southbound Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Route 1 Southbound: A second right turn lane is under construction from the I-95 southbound off-ramp at exit 126 onto Route 1 southbound. Route 1 southbound is being widened from the off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway with an additional turn lane. A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway. Traffic islands will be installed along Southpoint Parkway as a safety improvement to allow left turns into driveways but restrict through and left-turning traffic exiting from side streets. Additional right turn lane added to Southpoint Parkway to Route 1 southbound. Project completion in Aug. 2025.
• Route 3 and Orange Plank Road: Utility relocation is underway ahead of construction to modify the intersection of Route 3 and Orange Plank Rd. to a new traffic pattern to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce conflict points. Project completion in spring 2024.
• Route 17 (Mills Drive) Overpass Replacement and Widening: Construction started in Dec. 2020 to replace the existing two-lane interstate overpass on Route 17 with a four-lane bridge. Route 17 is being widened to four lanes until just east of the Hospital Boulevard/Germanna Point Drive intersection. A shared-use path, sidewalk, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be added as part of the project. Project completion was scheduled for late Feb. 2024. The project is now anticipated to be completed in May 2024.
• Route 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive: Hood Drive is reduced to a single lane between Route 1 and Route 208 (Courthouse Road), carrying only northbound traffic. Southbound traffic should follow the posted detour along Courthouse Road and Route 1 southbound. New right and left turn lanes are under construction at an entrance to a future U.S. Veterans Health Administration outpatient clinic. Additional turn lanes will be built on northbound Hood Drive approaching Courthouse Road. A raised median on Hood Drive will separate northbound and southbound traffic between Courthouse Road and McGowan Drive. Additional sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be installed at the intersection. Project completion in July 2024.
• Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening: Mudd Tavern Road is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1. A new secondary access route, Route 2092, will be built parallel to Mudd Tavern Road, and will connect with South Roxbury Mill Road and Dan Bell Lane. Project completion in May 2025.

Stafford County: Route 1 Southbound: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Single lane closure between Little Forest Church Road and Woodstock Lane. Utility work under permit. This work will be underway at this location on weekdays through early April 2024.

• Route 17 at Sanford Drive/South Gateway Drive: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Single lane closures at the intersection for construction of curb and median as part of the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Route 17 Northbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for construction for construction of curb and median, and installation of traffic signal equipment. Construction for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Route 17 Southbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 southbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for construction of curb and median, and installation of traffic signal equipment. Construction for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.
• Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guardrail repair. Single lane closure near the intersection with Route 734 (Eley Road).
• Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) Westbound: Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on the Route 610 westbound bridge over I-95 for maintenance.
• Route 616 (Poplar Road) OVERNIGHT DETOUR: Sunday – Thursday, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. Poplar Road will close to through traffic overnight between Route 627 (Mountain View Road) and Route 648 (Stefaniga Road). Signs will guide motorists along the recommended detour route, which is Mountain View Road and Stefaniga Road. Drainage pipe replacement. Work has been scheduled weather permitting. Access to residential driveways along the closed sections of Poplar Road will be maintained at all times.
• Route 626 (Leeland Road) over CSX Railroad: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Single lane closure on Leeland Road at the bridge over the CSX railroad, located just north of the Virginia Railway Express Leeland Road station entrance. One-way, alternating traffic for bridge maintenance.
• Route 630 (Courthouse Road) Westbound: Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure. Guardrail removal and installation near Rehoboth Drive intersection.

—Virginia Department of Transportation

Fredericksburg Regional Transit announced its awards of two grants in the amount of $20,000 each from the Joe and Mary Wilson Community Benefit Fund of Mary Washington Hospital Foundation and Stafford Hospital Community Benefit Fund.

More in a press release from City of Fredericksburg:

These grant awards will allow the agency to continue to provide transit service in the Fredericksburg region that will facilitate access to healthcare through public transportation and act as a mechanism to help address health issues through the benefits and connections transit service provides.

In 2023, there were nearly 3,000 passengers who boarded transit at the two hospital bus stops and another 7,659 who boarded at other “medical stops” on FXBGO! routes.

The ridership goal for 2024 is 2,500 passengers at hospital stops and 3,500 passengers at other medical stops. The transit system has seen a notable increase in ridership due to fare-free service that began February 28, 2022, which contributed to an overall increase in trips, including those to medical facilities and for medical services.

FXBGO! has specific program objectives within the grant period of 2024, including strengthening its safety and security programs; reducing accidents and incidents by three percent year-over-year; increasing the number of riders who board at Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital; evaluating FXBGO! routes.

Heavy traffic congestion continues to plague Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) in North Stafford, prompting concerns from County Supervisor Tinesha Allen regarding traffic signal timing and drivers’ habit of blocking intersections, commonly known as “blocking the box.”

Allen emphasized the need for adjustments to signal alignment along the corridor, spanning the 5-mile stretch of Route 610 from Washington Drive to Shelton Shop Road, including major secondary roads like Mine and Eustace roads. She highlighted the significant backups during rush hours, particularly at intersections lacking synchronized signals, exacerbating congestion from Washington Drive to Eustace and again from the Park Ridge neighborhood to Shelton Shop Road.

“People consistently block the box, creating a nightmare not only for safety but also hindering emergency response efforts during rush hours,” Allen expressed, echoing frustrations shared by her colleagues.

Responding to Allen’s concerns, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) spokesman Kyle Bates likened signal management to dividing a pie, where each signal movement consumes a portion of available capacity. Bates acknowledged the challenge of managing the heavy influx of traffic from side streets, especially near the vicinity of Interstate 95, where congestion compounds.

“The capacity problem becomes evident, particularly during rush hour when traffic flow from side streets intersects with Route 610. Balancing the prioritization of westbound traffic while accommodating side street queues presents a delicate equilibrium,” Bates explained.

He elaborated on VDOT’s efforts to optimize signal timings, noting recent adjustments to allocate additional green time for westbound traffic from Interstate 95. However, Bates emphasized the need to consider the broader network impact, cautioning against prolonged signal cycles that could exacerbate congestion on side streets.

“While our focus remains on facilitating the movement of traffic along Route 610, addressing capacity constraints requires a multifaceted approach. We are committed to exploring further improvements while balancing the needs of all road users,” Bates assured.

On average, 67,000 cars a day use Route 610 at Interstate 95.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is addressing drainage concerns along River Road in Falmouth following heavy rainfall in January. VDOT spokesman Kyle Bates presented plans to the Stafford Board of Supervisors, highlighting the impact of the significant rain on the area.

“With the substantial rainfall in January, we’ve identified various drainage issues,” stated Bates during the presentation. “While the flooding presented challenges, it also pinpointed areas needing attention.”

Bates emphasized the necessity of addressing drainage concerns throughout the spring and summer months. “We’ve already begun addressing these issues, focusing on improving drainage to mitigate future flooding incidents,” he added.

The Rappahannock River experienced a notable rise, reaching approximately 15 feet on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Weather services reported a steady increase from six feet at 1 a.m. to around 14 feet by 1 p.m. the same day. Consequently, due to flooding, Old Mill Park in Fredericksburg, situated across from Stafford County, became inaccessible to drivers.

According to weather service records, this was the highest water level observed in the Rappahannock River since April 18, 2011, underscoring the severity of the recent weather event. VDOT’s efforts to address drainage concerns near the popular Port of Falmouth Park aim to enhance resilience against future flooding incidents in the area.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is working with a company that is demonstrating a speed camera in front of North Stafford High School.

"[Blue Line Solutions, of Chatanooga, Tenn.] is showing us how they work and what type of data we would get. At this point, we are just gathering information," said Stafford Sheriff's Major Shawn Kimmitz.

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Suppose the latest idea on the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Lanes comes to fruition. In that case, drivers can access lanes in both directions during rush hours, creating a busier highway transportation system while offering more choices to drivers.

In the plan, there will be two lanes heading in the rush hour direction and one the opposite way. The details for this more accessible travel plan, as are many other factors, including construction, are still in the works.

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