Woodbridge, Va. –– Those who have driven Prince William Parkway outside the McCoart Building during the past year knows road construction has lead to a few headaches. But now, orange cones are being removed from the $13.5 million project to widen the highway from four to six lanes between Old Bridge and Hoadly roads and new lanes opening up.
Drivers will also note a signal light that doesn’t quite match up with others in the area, at the parkway and Black Forest Lane. Where customers of the nearby Queen’s Gambit restaurant and bar enter and exit the road to get to their favorite watering hole, flashing signal lights have been erected there.
More to the story: VDOT earlier this month in North Stafford installed one of seven special flashing signals in the state used to better get driver’s attention.
Drivers on the parkway see flashing yellow while drivers waiting to enter the parkway see flashing red lights. Officials say it’s an acceptable signal –– for now.
“[The Virginia Department of Transportation] has determined that a full traffic signal at this location is not warranted at this time, although it is a proffered signal. VDOT has agreed to have the flashers put in an acceptable devise to control traffic at this intersection, while development of the property continues,” said Prince William County spokesman Jason Grant.
As the property across the parkway from the restaurant continues to develop (it already includes two office buildings and new homes, a perfect spot to watch Saturday night fireworks from Pfitzner Stadium where the Potomac Nationals play) VDOT will then install a full traffic signal, added Grant.
$9.1 million of the overall funds for the widening project came from federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
