Virginia

[Thing 342]

What's up with the striping on I-77 between the state line and just north of exit 8? There are hash marks in the shoulders and the dotted line segments are much closer together than normal. Street View shows it was striped like this sometime between June 2011 and August 2013.

The additional striping is to help improve visibility. That section of I-77 is particularly susceptible to fog and is fairly dangerous, even on mostly clear days.

[WillWeaverRVA]

What's up with the striping on I-77 between the state line and just north of exit 8? There are hash marks in the shoulders and the dotted line segments are much closer together than normal. Street View shows it was striped like this sometime between June 2011 and August 2013.

The additional striping is to help improve visibility. That section of I-77 is particularly susceptible to fog and is fairly dangerous, even on mostly clear days.

I'm surprised VDOT hasn't done this on I-64 on Afton Mountain, which has the same problem. I-64 does have permanent VMSes on either side of the mountain that warn of dense fog, however.

[VTGoose]

What's up with the striping on I-77 between the state line and just north of exit 8? There are hash marks in the shoulders and the dotted line segments are much closer together than normal. Street View shows it was striped like this sometime between June 2011 and August 2013.

Despite some of the things that were in place at the time, there was still a massive pile-up in the northbound lanes of I-77 on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. Despite thick fog and warning signs calling for reduced speeds, traffic was still moving at 60-70 MPH on the mountain. One crash set of a chain reaction of wrecks that ended with 3 people dead, 30 injured, and 96 vehicles damaged. http://www.galaxgazette.com/content/multiple-fatalities-reported-massive-i-77-crash

VDOT has been pushing safety improvements since 2011 to reduce such accidents, including the lane striping, traffic cameras, additional message boards, and variable speed limit signs.
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/interstate_77_safety_improvements_-_carroll_county.asp

Of course, as VDOT says, "we still need drivers to change their behavior and drive to those conditions [reduced visibility conditions on the fog-prone section] as foggy conditions will continue to create hazards for drivers."

Bruce in Blacksburg

[cpzilliacus]

There is a public hearing tomorrow night on the planned flyover ramp from I-95 NB to VA 286 (Fairfax County Pkwy) NB plus other improvements at the interchange.

See planned design here.

Good move!  It would be nice to see VDOT figure a way to eliminate the at-grade signalized intersections on Va. 286 at Terminal Road and at Loisdale Drive.

[Mapmikey]

What's up with the striping on I-77 between the state line and just north of exit 8? There are hash marks in the shoulders and the dotted line segments are much closer together than normal. Street View shows it was striped like this sometime between June 2011 and August 2013.

The additional striping is to help improve visibility. That section of I-77 is particularly susceptible to fog and is fairly dangerous, even on mostly clear days.

I'm surprised VDOT hasn't done this on I-64 on Afton Mountain, which has the same problem. I-64 does have permanent VMSes on either side of the mountain that warn of dense fog, however.

There are lighted markers on the pavement on Afton Mtn that I've found useful the handful of times I've driven over it in dense fog

[ARMOURERERIC]

I was just looking at Google maps for Portsmouth VA, and it shows the NB MLK freeway connector to 264 as open.  Is this correct?

[WillWeaverRVA]

I was just looking at Google maps for Portsmouth VA, and it shows the NB MLK freeway connector to 264 as open.  Is this correct?

Nope, it's not open yet. It's been that way on Google Maps for a while now, and the southbound carriageway just ends short of I-264.

[epzik8]

This might be a weird departure from the Hampton Roads discussion, but who's been along U.S. 301 in King George County ever since that Walmart and other stuff in Dahlgren went up? I went there a couple of weeks ago and it's amazing. I'd say King George is no longer just part of the route between Annapolis and Richmond - it's a strong corridor along 301 now just like the Southern Maryland hubs of Upper Marlboro, Waldorf and La Plata.

[74/171FAN]

VDOT hopes to begin widening I-64 to six lanes from I-295 (Exit 200) to VA 33/VA 249 (Exit 205) sometime next year and is accepting comments until September 27th.

[cpzilliacus]

This might be a weird departure from the Hampton Roads discussion, but who's been along U.S. 301 in King George County ever since that Walmart and other stuff in Dahlgren went up? I went there a couple of weeks ago and it's amazing. I'd say King George is no longer just part of the route between Annapolis and Richmond - it's a strong corridor along 301 now just like the Southern Maryland hubs of Upper Marlboro, Waldorf and La Plata.

I thought that WalMart has been north of the junction of U.S. 301 and Va. 206 for some time now.  Incorrect?

[mattpedersen]

This might be a weird departure from the Hampton Roads discussion, but who's been along U.S. 301 in King George County ever since that Walmart and other stuff in Dahlgren went up? I went there a couple of weeks ago and it's amazing. I'd say King George is no longer just part of the route between Annapolis and Richmond - it's a strong corridor along 301 now just like the Southern Maryland hubs of Upper Marlboro, Waldorf and La Plata.

I thought that WalMart has been north of the junction of U.S. 301 and Va. 206 for some time now.  Incorrect?

I want to say it has been about three years or so.

[Mapmikey]

Between 2009-2012 per GMSV

[74/171FAN]

Another section of US 58 widening is completed between Hillsville and Stuart.  I got to check this out as I took US 58 from I-77 to I-85 one time heading back to my parents' house from Blacksburg in 2014.

Also VA is installing signs on I-81 and I-95 to remind drivers that 80 is reckless driving even in the 70 zones for some reason.

[1995hoo]

I've felt for several years, and still feel, that ticketing people for reckless driving solely for going 81 in a 70 zone is a bit of a "gotcha" law, so I think those signs are a decent gesture to out-of-staters who are far less likely to know about that law. Hopefully, however, the signs are not an indication of upcoming stricter speed limit enforcement.

[froggie]

Another section of US 58 widening is completed between Hillsville and Stuart.  I got to check this out as I took US 58 from I-77 to I-85 one time heading back to my parents' house from Blacksburg in 2014.

Ties directly into the Meadows of Dan bypass, extending west of there for about 8 miles and stopping just short of Big Reed Island Creek.  Leaves gaps of about 7.5 miles west to Hillsville and about 12 miles east to Stuart.  The latter will be far more challenging due to the terrain and grade change.

[plain]

VDOT hopes to begin widening I-64 to six lanes from I-295 (Exit 200) to VA 33/VA 249 (Exit 205) sometime next year and is accepting comments until September 27th.

Something that should've been done decades ago lol but at least they're finally getting the ball rolling. Would've been great if this widening was extended to at least exit 220 (VA 33 East) though. Maybe sometime in this lifetime the 6 laning will finally be the whole stretch from Richmond to Newport News

[LM117]

I've felt for several years, and still feel, that ticketing people for reckless driving solely for going 81 in a 70 zone is a bit of a "gotcha" law, so I think those signs are a decent gesture to out-of-staters who are far less likely to know about that law. Hopefully, however, the signs are not an indication of upcoming stricter speed limit enforcement.

Agreed. I remember numerous attempts to raise the RD limit have all gotten shot down. At least opponents of raising the RD limit were honest (for once) in one article.

http://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/virginia/bill-to-amend-va-s-reckless-driving-law-shot-down/article_1c957453-bab5-5df6-a209-c821f02e295f.html

Opponents cited several concerns, including a possible fiscal impact and that faster speeds lead to more crashes.

Post Merge: September 15, 2016, 01:40:42 PM

that 80 is reckless driving even in the 70 zones for some reason.

Because $$$.

[cpzilliacus]

that 80 is reckless driving even in the 70 zones for some reason.

Because $$$.

Though not $$$ for the Virginia State Police.

But lots of money for members of Virginia's criminal defense bar.

[Pink Jazz]

I've felt for several years, and still feel, that ticketing people for reckless driving solely for going 81 in a 70 zone is a bit of a "gotcha" law, so I think those signs are a decent gesture to out-of-staters who are far less likely to know about that law. Hopefully, however, the signs are not an indication of upcoming stricter speed limit enforcement.

It seems that most people know about that law, even out-of-staters.  Now, for comparison, many people don't seem to know about Arizona's comparable law of going 86+ on a 75 mph zone, even in-staters.  I wonder if there is a significant difference in enforcement between the two states.

Also, many Florida residents have been caught by Georgia's "Super Speeder" law by surprise, and there is even a movement for a class action lawsuit to overturn the law.

[hbelkins]

It would be better for those signs to say, instead of "Penalties Higher," that reckless driving in Virginia is a criminal offense (misdemeanor) and not just a traffic offense.

[NJRoadfan]

North Carolina has similar laws in place, although I haven't heard enforcement stories like in Virginia. NC's law applies to any speed over 75mph too. Still, the whole criminal misdemeanor thing for going 5-10mph over the limit is ridiculous. Most states reserve criminal charges for offenses like DWI or really screwing up behind the wheel.

[LM117]

that 80 is reckless driving even in the 70 zones for some reason.

Because $$$.

Though not $$$ for the Virginia State Police.

But lots of money for members of Virginia's criminal defense bar.

Yep. That's what I was referring to .

[ARMOURERERIC]

VDOT hopes to begin widening I-64 to six lanes from I-295 (Exit 200) to VA 33/VA 249 (Exit 205) sometime next year and is accepting comments until September 27th.

Something that should've been done decades ago lol but at least they're finally getting the ball rolling. Would've been great if this widening was extended to at least exit 220 (VA 33 East) though. Maybe sometime in this lifetime the 6 laning will finally be the whole stretch from Richmond to Newport News

Yes, they needed 6 lanes there back in 1991, when I traveled there regular.   I am surprised 8-10 is not needed there at this point.

[1995hoo]

I've felt for several years, and still feel, that ticketing people for reckless driving solely for going 81 in a 70 zone is a bit of a "gotcha" law, so I think those signs are a decent gesture to out-of-staters who are far less likely to know about that law. Hopefully, however, the signs are not an indication of upcoming stricter speed limit enforcement.

It seems that most people know about that law, even out-of-staters.  ....

I think it depends on where they're from and how often they drive through Virginia. I seem to recall someone on this forum expressing ignorance (it may have been feigned, of course), and I'd expect people here to be considerably more informed about these sorts of things than the general public. People in neighboring states, sure, I'd expect they'd know about it. My relatives in Florida and Arizona, not so much, although if they ever drive here I warn them.


Edited to add: I somewhat misremembered. vdeane expressed skepticism about how many non-Virginians know about that law. froggie said it's well-known in the neighboring states and noted, correctly, that ignorance of the law is no excuse. He's right, of course, but that doesn't make it any less of a "gotcha" law.

I do think it's interesting how many people these days will try to argue that no sign means something is OK (and I don't mean any specific person, although the people on the TV show "Parking Wars" come to mind). Statute prohibits parking within X feet of an intersection, you get a ticket. "There was no sign saying I can't!" Doesn't matter.

[cpzilliacus]

WTOP Radio: Signs to warn drivers of tough reckless driving penalties in Va.

New signs on Interstates 95 and 81 warn drivers that traveling faster than 80 mph in Virginia can carry stiff penalties, including up to a year in jail.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is installing the warning signs on I-95 in the 70 mph zone through Spotsylvania, Caroline and Hanover counties between D.C. and Richmond, and on I-81 as far north as Shenandoah County, west of Front Royal.

The signs are going up in locations that data from the Department of Motor Vehicles show have more crashes than other similar highway stretches or higher proportions of speeding drivers than other stretches.

At the locations where the signs have been installed in Spotsylvania County, 17 percent of northbound drivers and 8 percent of southbound drivers typically go over 80 mph, said VDOT senior communications specialist Jenny O'Quinn.