Just days after Gov. Robert F. McDonnell passed historic legislation to address transportation improvements, localities are getting a better look at what improvements could be expected over the next six years.
The draft-six year plan was released so residents can review all of the projects, many of which will paid for by a portion of the $4 billion McDonnell passed in his budget.
A public hearing for projects considered to be in the Northern Virginia transportation district (Fairfax, Prince William) will be held Wednesday May 4 at Virginia Department of Transportation Headquarters at 4974 Alliance Drive in Fairfax, beginning at 7 p.m.
A public meeting for the Fredericksburg district (Stafford) will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday May 18, at the VDOT Central Office Auditorium at 1221 Broad Street in Richmond.
Northern Virginia region projects:
I-395 HOV ramp at Seminary Road – Construction of an HOV ramp to the Mark Center. The $80 million project would begin in 2015.
I-95 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes – Construct 29 miles of HOV/HOT lanes on I-95 from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the vicinity of Edsall Road on I-395 in Fairfax County. The draft plan includes about $52 million from the Commonwealth. The majority of funding for the project is being financed by the private sector. Construction could begin as early as the 2012 construction season and take up to three years to complete. Environmental review is underway and public information meetings will be held this fall.
Route 1 at Route 123 in Prince William County – The draft includes $35 million to widen Route 1 beginning in 2015. Phase two of the project, construction of the interchange, is not yet funded.
Route 123 in Fairfax – The draft includes $15 million to build a connection to George Mason West Campus Road.
Fairfax County Parkway – Construct a loop at Rolling Road. The draft plan includes $14 million toward the $$25 million project. Construction begins in 2015.
The following projects in the plan were recommended by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. They would be constructed by VDOT or local jurisdicition.
Route 1 North in Prince William County – Reconstruction and widening. Design on this $37 million project could begin 2013 and construction in 2017.
Route 7 in Tysons Corner – Draft includes $23 million towards $308 million of roadway improvements. Design would begin in 2013.
Route 123 in Tysons – The draft plan includes $19 million for this $56 million project to improve access to future Metrorail. Construction would begin in 2014.
Fredericksburg region projects:
Bridge projects – $14.5 million for reconstruction and renovation of 17 bridge projects
New Virginia Railway Express track – $20.3 million to fund expansion of a third railroad track for a new Virginia Railway
Express station in Spotsylvania
Transit funding – $10 million in grants, operating and capital assistance funding for Fredericksburg District transit agencies, including FREDericksburg Regional Transit, GWRideConnect, Bay Aging, and the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging. This funding, and the VRE
railroad track funding, is included in the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation draft Six-Year Improvement Program for FY 2012-2017.
Commuter parking – Up to 3,000 new commuter parking spaces in the Fredericksburg region. Parking spaces will be
added at existing VDOT commuter lots on Staffordboro Boulevard in Stafford and
Gordon Road in Spotsylvania. A new parking facility will be created at a planned
Virginia Railway Express train station in Spotsylvania.
Rest area – Interstate 95 Rest Area Access Project in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
Courthouse Road – Relocation of the I-95 interchange at Courthouse Road (Exit 140) in Stafford
Fall Hill Bridge – Bridge Replacement and Roadway Widening on Fall Hill Avenue at the Interstate 95
Overpass in Fredericksburg
Warrentton Road widening – U.S. 17 widening in Stafford from McLean Drive to Stafford Lakes Parkway
Garrisonville Road improvements – Turn lane improvements at Mine Road and Garrisonville Road in North Stafford, intersection improvements at Onville Road and Garrisonville Road in response to federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission job shifts
Ongoing Area Projects Continued:
Construction is finishing on a new Courthouse Road bridge across CSX Corp. railroad tracks in Stafford. It replaces a bridge that currently has a 15-ton weight limit. The new two-lane bridge will have no weight restrictions, and will better accommodate taller, double-decker trains. It is expected to open by September.
Falmouth intersection improvements continue to proceed with design for new turn lanes at U.S. 1, Butler Road and Warrenton Road in Stafford. Design work is estimated to be substantially complete by late summer 2011.
