The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its list of upcoming road work and lane closures in the Fredericksburg District for March 9-15, 2025. Drivers should be prepared for temporary delays as crews perform maintenance, construction, and improvement projects across Stafford County, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania County.
All scheduled work is weather-dependent, and updates can be found on 511Virginia.
Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Right lane closure near the Prince William County line for tree work.
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Right lane closures between Centreport Parkway and Route 17 Business for fiber installation.
Route 17 Southbound
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Intermittent right lane closures between Village Parkway and Hartwood Church Road for waterline and sewer installation.
Route 607 (Cool Springs Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closures between Route 3 Business and Route 218 for fiber installation.
Route 654 (Banks Ford Parkway)
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. – Alternating lane closures between Celebrate Virginia Parkway and Route 17 for paving.
Route 654 (Berea Church Road) – Road Closure
Berea Church Road is closed between Berea Knolls Drive and Theresa Garden Place. Northbound access is restricted from Route 17 to Berea Knolls Drive due to construction.
Route 753 (Enon Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single lane closures between Route 1 and Truslow Road for fiber installation.
Route 1968 (Celebrate Virginia Parkway)
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. – Alternating lane closures between Route 17 and the end of state maintenance for paving.
Fredericksburg & Stafford County
Route 1 over the Rappahannock River (Falmouth Bridge)
- The northbound right lane is closed for emergency bridge repairs. Two southbound lanes and one northbound lane remain open, but delays are expected during peak hours.
- The northbound sidewalk on the bridge is also closed.
- A weight limit is in place: 16 tons for single-unit vehicles and 24 tons for tractor-trailers.
- Plan Ahead for Delays
Spotsylvania County
Route 1
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – A slight shift in travel lanes between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road is in place for road improvement work related to the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions project. Construction will also take place along the road shoulder.
Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. – Alternating single and double lane closures between the I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway.
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Single southbound lane closures in the same area.
Route 606 (Morris Road)
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Turn lane closure between Route 1 and Taveneer Lane for construction.
Route 608 (Massaponax Church Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – One-way, alternating traffic between Hickory Hill Drive and Summit Crossing Road for water main installation.
Route 620 (Harrison Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – One-way, alternating traffic between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road/Leavells Road for water main installation.
Route 639 (Leavells Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.-6 a.m. – Alternating lane closures for bridge repairs at Massaponax Creek.
Southpoint Parkway
Sunday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m. and Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Alternating single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1 for median safety improvements. Message boards are in place to alert drivers.
Spotsylvania Parkway
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Alternating single lane closures between Deep Creek Drive/New Berne Road and Holley Oak Drive/Yellow Birch Drive for the installation of a new pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon at a crosswalk.
Drivers are encouraged to check traffic conditions before traveling and use alternate routes if possible. For real-time updates, visit 511Virginia or follow VDOT on social media.
Stafford Authorities ID Good Samaritan Killed
In Stafford County, officials have identified the man fatally shot during an altercation involving an off-duty FBI agent. Harold Chamberlain, Jr., 61, of Stafford was killed on February 28, 2025, after attempting to assist deputies in a physical struggle with individuals during a traffic stop in the Stratford Place subdivision.
The incident began when an off-duty FBI agent confronted a motorcyclist accused of reckless driving in the residential neighborhood. The motorcyclist fled but later returned with family members, leading to a traffic stop initiated by Stafford County deputies. The situation escalated when the motorcyclist’s family allegedly refused to comply with deputies’ commands, resulting in a physical confrontation.
Chamberlain, a resident, witnessed the struggle and ran from his yard to aid law enforcement. During the altercation, the off-duty FBI agent discharged his firearm, striking Chamberlain in the chest. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by deputies and Stafford County Fire and Rescue personnel, Chamberlain died at the hospital later that night.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has not announced any charges against the off-duty FBI agent, and the investigation remains ongoing. Officials are reviewing evidence, including community-provided video footage of the incident.
“We continue to keep Mr. Chamberlain’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
Arrest Made in Spotsylvania Double Homicide
Meanwhile, in Spotsylvania County, authorities have made an arrest in a double homicide that occurred in January.
On March 7, 2025, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Danny Hale Sr., 61, of Opelika, Alabama, charging him with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Hale is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
The victims, Charles Childress, 61, and Kimberly Newcomb, 59, were found dead in their home on Heatherwood Drive on January 25, 2025. A concerned friend, unable to reach them, discovered Newcomb’s body and called 911. Responding deputies located Childress as well, confirming that both victims had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
An extensive investigation led detectives to Hale, who was known to the victims. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of his relationship with them or a possible motive. While Hale has been charged, officials emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and urge anyone with information to come forward.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office asks the public to submit tips through:
- Phone: 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822
- Online: www.p3tips.com or www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org
- P3Tips App: Available on Android and Apple devices
The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.
Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact
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Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-RampSunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on the off-ramp from I-95 southbound to Route 1. Construction is ongoing to widen the ramp and build an additional right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.
City of Fredericksburg
Lafayette Boulevard
Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-Noon. Right lane closure between Twin Lake Drive and St. Pauls Drive. Two-lane traffic will be maintained by shifting vehicles south into a dual turn lane.
Welford Street
Tuesday – Wednesday, 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Alternating lane closures for waterline work between Route 1 and Wallace Street. Flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone.
Spotsylvania County
Route 1
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All travel lanes remain open, but the alignment of Route 1 travel lanes has slightly shifted between Arcadia Road and Mudd Tavern Road for road improvements associated with the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions development.
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Alternating single and double lane closures between the I-95 southbound off-ramp and Southpoint Parkway.
Route 620 (Harrison Road)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Single lane closure between Kingswood Boulevard and Salem Church Road/Leavells Road for water main installation.
Southpoint Parkway
Sunday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m.; Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Alternating single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1 for a safety improvement project.
Stafford County
Route 1 Northbound and Southbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Right lane closures between American Legion Road and Route 17 Business (Warrenton Road) for fiber installation.
Route 17 Northbound
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Intermittent right lane closures between Poplar Road and Hartwood Church Road for fiber installation.
Berea Church Road Closure
Berea Church Road is closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place. Northbound access is closed from Route 17 to Berea Knolls Drive due to construction.
Major Ongoing Projects
Route 1 Over the Rappahannock River (Falmouth Bridge)
The northbound right lane is closed for emergency bridge repair. Two southbound lanes and a single northbound lane remain open.
Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening
Mudd Tavern Road is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1. Expected completion in May 2025.
Route 620 (Harrison Road) Reconstruction and Widening
The project will add lanes and pedestrian infrastructure between Gordon Road and Old Plank Road, with completion expected in summer 2026.
Commuting and Ridesharing Information
GWRideConnect offers free ridesharing assistance for carpools, vanpools, and transit options in the Fredericksburg area. Visit www.gwrideconnect.org or call (540) 373-7665 for more details.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in gathering information regarding the double homicide that took place on January 25, 2025, on Heatherwood Drive.
Detectives are seeking any details from residents in the area who may have noticed suspicious activity, have video footage, or possess information—no matter how small—between Monday, January 20, 2025, and Saturday, January 25, 2025. Authorities believe even seemingly minor details could be crucial to advancing the investigation.
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According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the robbery occurred at Truist Bank, located at 3600 Plank Road, next to Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:15 a.m. A bank employee called 911 to report that a man had entered the bank and demanded money. The employee complied with the demands, and the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
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Surge in Commuting Demand
According to GWRC’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, GWRideConnect, inquiries about ridesharing options have increased substantially. Commuters from Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford are turning to ride-sharing to ease their daily travel.
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The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the home after a concerned friend discovered a deceased female and called 911. Upon arrival, deputies found both victims dead at the scene. Investigators have now confirmed that both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continue their investigation and work around the clock to process evidence and interview potential witnesses. While the relationship between the victims remains under investigation, it has been confirmed that they were living together at the residence.
“We are working diligently to gather all the necessary information to bring clarity to this tragic situation,” said Major Elizabeth Scott. “Our team is following every lead and continuing to process evidence.”
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Spotsylvania Crime Solvers hotline at 1-800-928-5822 or online at Spotsylvania Crime Solvers. The P3tips app is also available for those who wish to submit information anonymously.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding possible suspects or motives.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is testing a new way to manage parking at commuter lots through the innovative ParkZen app. Initially launched in November 2024, the pilot program has been extended through May 2025 to further evaluate the app’s effectiveness in providing real-time parking availability at six commuter lots in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg.
What Is the ParkZen App?
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Investigators are mum about how they died.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a concerned individual who reported not having heard from a friend. Upon visiting the residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive, the caller entered the home and discovered a female’s body. They exited and contacted the Spotsylvania County 911 call center.
Deputies arrived at the scene and found both a male and female deceased within the residence. The victims were identified as 61-year-old Charles Childress and 59-year-old Kimberly Newcomb. Authorities confirmed that the pair had been living together, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated an investigation, conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene. Preliminary findings revealed that both victims suffered what law enforcement officers call “fatal injuries,’ and the incident has been classified as a homicide.
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