Restriping of the Staffordboro Commuter lot in North Stafford is postponed to Saturday, March 30, due to the forecasted rainy weather on Saturday, March 23. The lot will be closed only for the weekend of March 30-31, weather permitting.

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The Stafford County Sheriff's Office helped to upright an overturned tractor-trailer on Poplar Road on Thursday, March 13. No injuries were reported.

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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

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."

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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.

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invites public feedback on a series of proposed roadway improvements in Dale City and Woodbridge as part of its Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study. The study focuses on enhancing traffic flow and safety along a stretch of road from Dale Boulevard, across Route 1, to Blackburn Road. This initiative addresses the growing concerns over pedestrian safety and traffic congestion in one of Northern Virginia’s bustling regions.

The STARS study area encompasses nearly two miles, assessing potential improvements on Dale Boulevard (Route 784) from Gideon Drive to Route 1, and Rippon Boulevard (Route 1392) from Route 1 to Blackburn Road. With traffic volumes averaging about 44,000 vehicles per day on Dale Boulevard and 14,000 on Rippon Boulevard, the need for strategic enhancements has become increasingly apparent.

Following a first round of public involvement in July 2023, which gathered community input on corridor priorities, VDOT has now moved to present several design alternatives aimed at transforming these key roadways. These proposals aim to make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians, addressing specific issues identified through traffic analysis and public feedback.

Residents have until March 8, 2024, to review and provide input on these proposals, which focus on key intersections along the Dale and Rippon Boulevards, including:

• Gideon Drive
• Ashdale Plaza
• The southbound I-95 off-ramp
• Neabsco Mills Road/Potomac Center Boulevard
• Route 1
• Forest Grove Drive

Each proposed alternative has been designed to balance reducing traffic congestion, enhancing pedestrian access and safety, and minimizing right-of-way and drainage impacts. The options range from adding additional lanes and turning points to installing high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and improved lighting. Some alternatives also propose innovative solutions, such as converting intersections to thru-cuts or installing traffic signals at key points to facilitate smoother traffic flow.

A notable proposal includes reallocating space on the Dale Boulevard bridge over I-95 to create a wide sidewalk, significantly improving pedestrian access and safety by providing a direct crossing over I-95, a current challenge for pedestrians in the area.

Residents are asked to complete the online survey on the project website.

The study is slated for completion in the fall of 2024, with the current phase of public involvement playing a critical role in shaping the final recommendations.

There have been a total of eight STARS studies in Prince William County over the past eight years, addressing issues on Prince William Parkway, Route 1 and Russel Road at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Sudley Road near Manassas, and Old Bridge Road/Route 123/I-95 in Lake Ridge.

Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
Schedule: Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Details: Expect single lane closures on both I-95 northbound and southbound, followed by double lane closures between mile markers 125-126 for bridge work. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m.

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Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are set to replace nine drainage pipes located underneath Route 616 (Poplar Road) in Stafford County throughout March. The initiative aims to ensure the installation of new pipes before the road undergoes repaving between Branch Creek Way and Tacketts Mill Road later this year.

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responding to snowfall over the past 24 hours in the Fredericksburg area and western regions of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Crews are applying sand and salt to roads, bridges, ramps, and overpasses to enhance traction and minimize icing as pavement temperatures decrease.

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