STAFFORD, Va. – If you’re driving through Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, or along I-95 this week, expect delays due to overnight paving, bridge repairs, road closures, and resurfacing projects. Here’s a roundup of major traffic impacts you should know about:
Interstate 95 Northbound
- Exit 110 (Ladysmith) to Exit 118 (Thornburg)
Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–5 a.m.: Alternating lane closures near mile marker 117 for bridge maintenance over the Matta River. - Exit 118 (Thornburg) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Expect milling and paving operations with mobile lane closures between mile markers 121–126. - Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Alternating lane closures for paving between mile markers 140–142. - Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Milling and paving between mile markers 146–147.
Interstate 95 Southbound
- Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp
Begins Monday, June 16: One lane of the widened off-ramp to Route 1 southbound will be closed through early July for final paving and concrete work.
Spotsylvania County
- Route 1 & I-95 Interchange Area
Ongoing improvements with multiple nighttime lane closures on Route 1 and exit ramps. - Various Roads
Resurfacing and construction on Old Plank Road (Routes 610), Harrison Road (Route 620), Falcon Drive, Smith Station Road, and more. Expect daytime flagging and nighttime lane shifts. - Subdivision Work
Forest Hills and Rivers Bluff subdivisions will have one-way traffic during daytime resurfacing operations.
Stafford County
- Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Single lane closures for fiber installation. - Route 17 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Intermittent closures for utility work. - Route 644 (Rock Hill Church Road)
Closed June 16–19: Full road closure for bridge maintenance over Aquia Creek. Follow posted detour. - Other Projects
Expect work zones with alternating traffic on Celebrate Virginia Parkway, Garrisonville Road, Caisson Road, and more.
Fredericksburg
- Fall Hill Avenue
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Alternating lane closures near Route 1 and Bridgewater Street. - Lafayette Boulevard
Wednesday – Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. (Noon Friday): Southbound lane shifted to dual turn lane for construction near Twin Lake Drive. - Intersection Projects
Route 1 intersections at Fall Hill Avenue and Princess Anne Street/Hanson Avenue will experience intermittent overnight closures through June 2026. - Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
Construction continues through November 2025 on a new pedestrian and bicycle connector.
For the latest updates, detour maps, and project timelines, visit VDOT’s Fredericksburg District page.
Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust: https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – Spotsylvania resident Barbara Ucman was working in her garden when she heard commotion across the fence. She thought it was a dog, and but then, to her surprise, she saw a bear paw grip the top of her wood fence.
“I saw one giant black paw gripping the fence top, then another, and then the head,” she said. She knew there was a reason to scream and run. “I don’t think that scared him,” Ucman said.
However, shortly after that, a few dogs in the neighborhood started barking, and the bear headed for the fence gate across the yard. It jumped the neighbor’s fence, ran through the yard, and off to a slightly wooded storage area, and was not seen after that.
Meanwhile, Ucman grabbed her phone and documented as much as possible.
“He just headed over the fence and went that way,” said Ucman, pointing across a small drainage creek. It was a shock though and Ucman called her immediate neighbors and the homeowners association who put out a warning to all, via phone and social media.
The HOA went into action. “Bear Sighting in the Neighborhood,” the Summerlake message read. They provided the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources phone number and a few tips on what to do if a resident spots a bear in the community.
The VWS said the sighting is not unusual and attributes it to a healthy and growing black bear population. Although a neighborhood in Spotsylvania, relatively close to the urbanized area near Interstate 95, is not the ideal place for a bear, it happens.
VWS said the highest concentration of bears occurs in other parts of the state, such as the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains, and the Great Dismal Swamp. Bears are likely to be seen just about anywhere in Virginia. In a recent DWR field staff survey, bears have occurred in 85 of Virginia’s 95 counties/cities during the last four years. According to DWR:
What to Do If You See a Bear
- Stay calm and do not approach the bear.
- Keep a safe distance, and ensure the bear has an escape route.
- Make noise to alert the bear to your presence, but do not shout or act aggressively.
- Gather family members and pets indoors.
Protecting Your Pets
- Bring pets inside immediately if a bear is nearby.
- Do not allow pets to chase or engage with the bear.
- Keep pets on a leash when outdoors in areas where bears have been sighted.
Preventing Bear Encounters
- Secure garbage bins and avoid leaving food outdoors.
- Clean barbecue grills after use and store them securely.
- Remove bird feeders during bear season.
Reporting Bear Sightings
If you spot a bear in the neighborhood, contact local wildlife authorities immediately. Provide them with the following details:
- Exact location of the sighting
- Time of the sighting
- Bear’s size, color, and behavior
Do not attempt to handle the situation yourself—wildlife professionals are trained to respond appropriately.
Interstate 95 Northbound
- Exit 118 (Thornburg) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: Alternating lane closures between mile markers 121-126 for milling and paving mobile operation. - Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: Alternating lane closures for milling and paving between mile markers 140-142. - Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: Alternating lane closures for milling and paving between mile markers 146-147.
Interstate 95 Southbound
- Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp
Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m.: Alternating single lane closures on the off-ramp to Route 1. Final construction activities to widen the ramp and build an additional right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.
Spotsylvania County
- Route 1 at Arcadia Road
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: All travel lanes will remain open, but Route 1’s travel lanes have shifted slightly between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road for road improvement work. - Route 1 at I-95
Sunday – Monday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m.: Traffic signal work at the Route 1 and I-95 intersection at the Exit 126 interchange. Flaggers will direct drivers through the intersection. - Route 1 at Southpoint Parkway
Sunday – Thursday, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m.-6 a.m.: Alternating single lane closures on Route 1 between the I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway for final construction activities. - Route 1 Northbound
Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. and Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m.-6 a.m.: Alternating single lane closures on Route 1 northbound between Southpoint Parkway and Market Street for construction. - Route 1 Resurfacing
Monday – Thursday, 8 p.m.-6 a.m.: Mobile operation with alternating lane closures on Route 1 northbound and southbound between the Ni River bridge and Filter Lane for milling and paving. - Route 620 (Harrison Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Alternating lane closures between Old Plank Road and Gordon Road for road widening. - Route 620 (Spotswood Furnace Wood)
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Road CLOSED between River Road and U.S. Ford Road for pavement repair. All traffic will be detoured to Route 3 and Elys Ford Road.
City of Fredericksburg
- Fall Hill Avenue
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Alternating lane closures between Route 1 and Bridgewater Street. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone. - Lafayette Boulevard
Monday – Wednesday, 4 a.m. – 6 a.m.: Alternating lane closures between St. Pauls Street and Kensington Place for paving work.
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.: Right lane closure on Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street. - Route 1 at Fall Hill Avenue & Princess Anne Street
Intersection improvement projects are underway. Expect intermittent single lane and shoulder closures, mostly overnight. Completion by June 2026.
Stafford County
- Route 1
Thursday, Midnight – 5 a.m.: Intermittent full traffic stops for up to 15-minute intervals between Telegraph Road and Merryview Court for utility work under permit. - Route 3 (Kings Highway)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Single lane closures between Route 607 (Cool Springs Road) and Route 3 (Blue and Gray Parkway) for fiber installation under permit. - Route 17 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Intermittent right lane closures on southbound Route 17 between Village Parkway and Hartwood Church Road for waterline and sewer line installation under permit. - Route 607 (Cool Springs Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Single lane closures between Route 3 Business and Route 218 (White Oak Road) for fiber installation under permit. - Stefaniga Road
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.: Trench widening work between Poplar Road and Mountain View Road. Flaggers will alternate one-way traffic through the work zone.
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – Kalahari Resorts & Conventions celebrated a key construction milestone on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as CEO Todd Nelson, Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), and state and local leaders gathered at the future site of Virginia’s largest indoor waterpark to tout the project’s progress and economic promise.
Held at the towering 11-story construction site off I-95 in Spotsylvania County, the event marked a symbolic step toward the opening of Kalahari’s fifth and most expansive resort, scheduled for November 12, 2026.
“The Finest Site We’ve Ever Built”
Kalahari CEO and founder Todd Nelson opened the program with remarks about the resort’s family-run legacy. Flanked by his wife, Shari, and several children who help run the company, Nelson underscored that the project—like the rest of their four-resort portfolio—is a fully family-owned and operated venture.
“We don’t have any partners. We don’t even have a board of directors,” Nelson told the crowd, which included state officials, local leaders, construction partners, and members of the media. “This is our fifth resort… and I think this is the finest site that we have of all our resorts.”
The new resort, located just off Interstate 95 near Dominion Raceway, is modeled after Kalahari’s Round Rock, Texas, location but will be even larger. When complete, the Spotsylvania resort will feature:
-
175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark (the largest in the state)
-
150,000-square-foot convention center
-
90,000-square-foot adventure park
-
Ten acres of outdoor pools
-
907 guest rooms and suites
The development will also bring 1,500 permanent jobs and up to 800 construction jobs at peak, making it a key driver of economic activity in the region.
Visual Showcase and Ceremony
The milestone event featured a steel beam signing ceremony, drone footage of the site, and a striking view of the resort’s rising 11-story structure. Media guests were treated to local cider, a curated music soundtrack, and direct access to Kalahari executives and state officials.
The event served to not only showcase progress but also reaffirm the state’s commitment to fostering large-scale, family-friendly destinations. With over 80,000 group room nights projected in its first year, and growth toward 140,000 annually, the Kalahari resort is expected to become a cornerstone of Virginia’s tourism economy.
“We do it ourselves”
Nelson, who founded the company with his wife Shari, spoke about the family-run nature of the Kalahari brand.
“Sharon and I have been married for 45 years. Five kids, 13 grandbabies. We do it ourselves,” he said. “We don’t have any partners. We don’t do anything. It’s Sharon and I and the five kids. We don’t even have a board of directors. We figure we have a board of directors meeting every day when we’re at work.”
He introduced several family members, including his son Travis, the company president, and daughter Ashley, who works at the Round Rock, Texas, resort and handles corporate matters. Nelson called Shari “the peacekeeper in the family,” adding: “She never tells me what to do in the business. She always says, whatever you do, don’t bankrupt us.”
Reflecting on the property, Nelson said, “I think this is the finest site that we have of all of our resorts. It is. It just is. It could not be any more perfect if we were to try to dump a couple of my bankers out here.”
“When I was pitching all the banks, I would say on a 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, this site is a 12,” he added.
Nelson also praised several people instrumental in bringing the project to Virginia, including:
- Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation: “She’s not only superb at her job, she does anything that you ask, and she’s become a friend.”
- Kevin Marshall, a local project supporter: “Kevin just takes care of it. It’s such a most beautiful thing here… We absolutely love Kevin.”
- Eric Terry, President of the Virginia Restaurant and Lodging Association: “Eric has been a tremendous supporter of ours… We thank you, Eric.”
Nelson highlighted the resort’s expected impact: “We’re going to employ right around 1,500 people here. We’re opening up November 12th of 2026. We’re ahead of schedule. Everything’s just going really, really quite well.”
“The largest store I’ve ever seen in my life”
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura brought energy to the podium. Noting the scale of construction, he joked, “So did you guys catch what Todd mentioned earlier? He called this whole thing a store. This is the largest store I’ve ever seen in my life.”
He praised the project as emblematic of the business momentum in the Commonwealth: “Great things are happening in Virginia, and business leaders like the Nelson family are doubling down because they believe, they have confidence, that tomorrow will be better than today in the great Commonwealth of Virginia.”
“Those magic words: You are hired”
Governor Glenn Youngkin closed the event by emphasizing the project’s alignment with Virginia’s economic priorities.
“This is a $900 million project that’s going to employ 1,500 people in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said. “That to me is the big statement today. Opportunity abounds. Opportunity is everywhere.”
He lauded the Nelson family’s vision: “I’m inspired by the fact that there’s 13 grandchildren. There’s five children. There’s a marriage that is extended through all of that and demonstrates what it means first to put family ahead of everything.”
Youngkin also noted the state’s use of “a very unique financing… that comes through our tourism area,” and celebrated Virginia’s broader economic achievements: “We have well over 220,000 jobs today that are open and ready for people to come to Virginia.”
He concluded with a message about employment: “When we see more Virginians with more opportunities and those Virginians are able to hear those magic words… you are hired. They’re special words. And I have to say the Nelson family is about to utter those words to even more people than they already have. And it matters.”
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Area residents may notice a heavy presence of emergency vehicles and personnel along the Rappahannock River this weekend, but it’s not a real emergency—it’s a planned water rescue training exercise.
RIVEREX 2025 kicks off Friday, June 6, and runs through Saturday, June 7. The large-scale drill will simulate swift water rescues across more than 20 miles of the river and include live-action scenarios designed to test emergency crews’ readiness, coordination, and response tactics.
The training comes at a time when local agencies have already been busy with river rescues. So far this year, emergency crews stationed at Falmouth Beach have responded to two water rescues and assisted in five other incidents, according to Stafford County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Katie Brady. Earlier this year, a father and son drowned at the New Post Boat Launch, one of two fatal incidents on the Rappahannock in the region in 2025.
Participating in the exercise are fire and rescue teams from Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and King George counties, along with the Fredericksburg Police Department, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and regional emergency communications centers. In total, about 30 trained water rescuers and over 40 support staff will be involved in the 36-hour operation.
Residents can expect to see emergency crews using boats, drones, and other specialized equipment at parks, bridges, and boat landings. Officials emphasize that public safety will be maintained throughout the event and that this is a fully controlled and permitted training exercise.
During the May 19, 2025, meeting of the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee, Executive Director Ian Ollis and his team unveiled two preferred alignments—Options A and C—that they believe offer the most viable pathways for a long-debated new bridge linking Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
The corridor options are the result of more than three years of planning work, which included public engagement, environmental screening, and traffic data modeling conducted as part of a broader East-West Mobility Study.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – What began as an unexpected career pivot has led to an achievement for one Fredericksburg-area couple. Drs. Edmond and Sherri Bergeron, both United States military veterans, recently earned their Doctorates in Education from Liberty University—crossing the stage together on May 8, 2025, after four years of hard work, determination, and mutual encouragement.
A New Mission After Military Service
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
According to FXBGo!, the adjustments come after extensive community feedback gathered through its Transit Strategic Plan. The updated routes aim to streamline service, reduce travel times, and better connect riders to key destinations throughout Spotsylvania County.
As part of the update, FXBGo! will retire letter-based route names, switching to a number-only naming system designed to make navigating the system easier for riders. New maps and updated schedules reflecting the changes will be available at Central Station and online at rideFXBGO.com.
“Our riders have been very instrumental in helping us to shape changes that will benefit the entire system. We are certain that the changes to the Spotsylvania Routes will have a positive impact on how our customers utilize the system,” said Jamie Jackson, Director of Public Transit and Transportation for FXBGo!
For more information about the route changes or to view updated maps and schedules, visit ridefxbgo.com or follow FXBGo! on Facebook.
FXBGo! Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGo) is the public transportation provider serving the Fredericksburg region, including the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. FXBGo offers a network of affordable and reliable fixed-route bus services, ADA-compliant paratransit services, and specialized transportation options designed to meet the needs of residents, commuters, students, and visitors.
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – Hundreds of community members, business leaders, and state officials packed into the Village at Spotsylvania Towne Centre today to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting for Success Space, a new co-working hub offering workspace, business coaching, and a café.
Dr. Fallon Hutcherson and Felicia Minor-Caliste, co-owners of Virginia’s first Success Space, thanked the crowd for their two-and-a-half years of support that helped bring their vision to life. “Even with us, we didn’t do it alone,” they told attendees, acknowledging family, friends, and community members who stood by them throughout the process.
Speakers included the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, which praised the opening as a milestone for entrepreneurship and collaboration in the region. Juan Pablo Segura, Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, congratulated the owners and emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting small businesses. “You’re not alone,” Segura said. “Virginia is here to help with resources like low-interest loans, SWAM certifications, and venture capital investments”.
Christopher Hayes, Ernisha Hall, and representatives from Congressman Eugene Vindman’s office also offered remarks. The event concluded with cheers as the ribbon was cut, officially opening the doors of the 5,300-square-foot facility located next to Sephora in the mall.
Success Space is a national co-working franchise designed to provide flexible workspace solutions in suburban markets. Each location offers a mix of shared and private workspaces, on-site professional coaching, event space, and an open-to-the-public Success Café serving coffee and snacks. The concept aims to meet the needs of remote workers, freelancers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs looking for an inspiring place to work and grow their businesses.
The Spotsylvania location, owned and operated by Dr. Hutcherson and Minor-Caliste, is the first of its kind in Virginia. The co-owners say their goal is to create not just a workspace but a community hub that fosters collaboration, professional development, and local economic growth.
View this post on Instagram
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Health officials have confirmed a raccoon found near the 7000 block of Stubbs Bridge Road in Spotsylvania County tested positive for rabies, according to the Rappahannock Area Health District.
Anyone who may have had contact with the animal is urged to seek medical care right away and contact the Spotsylvania County Health Department at 540-507-7386. Pet owners concerned their animal may have been exposed should call their veterinarian and contact either the Health Department or Spotsylvania County Animal Control at 540-507-7549.
Rabies is a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system and can affect any mammal, including humans. It spreads through the saliva or brain tissue of infected animals, typically through bites or by getting infected fluids into a wound, eyes, or mouth. Vaccination is the best protection for pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Virginia law requires all dogs and cats aged four months and older to be vaccinated for rabies and to keep those vaccinations up to date. Health officials remind residents to:
- Avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals.
- Report animal bites or unusual behavior to Animal Control at 540-507-7549.
- Vaccinate pets and keep their shots current.
- Call a doctor or the health department if you are exposed, or contact a veterinarian and Animal Control if your pet is exposed.
For more information, visit the Rabies Fact Sheet or the Rappahannock Area Health District’s rabies control page.
