Virginia

[cpzilliacus]

I wonder why VDOT never considered extending I-295 westward to I-85. It would've allowed traffic to go from I-85 to I-295 without even having to go through Petersburg and it's interchange.

I assume that there's relatively small demand for that movement.

[Mapmikey]

Not only that, but recent VDOT studies are looking at ways to upgrade the southerly I-95/I-85 ramps, and it is decidedly substandard and dicey from I-85 NB to I-95 SB.  I would not use that routing.

I used to go through that interchange a lot when I lived in Farmville a few years ago whenever I made my trips to NC and I hated it every time (even less fun driving a 17ft. Ryder truck).

I wonder why VDOT never considered extending I-295 westward to I-85. It would've allowed traffic to go from I-85 to I-295 without even having to go through Petersburg and it's interchange.

They did...

Scott gives a brief description here...
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html

[Beltway]

It's called a tourist destination.  I do not have any numbers available as far as traffic volumes, but I believe a majority of vehicles traveling on I-95 from Washington, then taking I-295 South, are heading toward I-64 East to Williamsburg or Va. Beach.  The new APL sign installed would make sense here as Rocky Mount, NC is on prior sighttps://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=294.2450nage before the gore point of Interchange 84A.

From metropolitan Washington, D.C. I would normally stay far away from I-95 and I-64 around Richmond to travel to Virginia Beach.  In my experience, U.S. 301 south across the Nice Bridge and then U.S. 17 (Tidewater Trail) from Port Royal to I-64 in Newport News is a lower-stress and easier trip, with relatively little traffic until Gloucester County, and even then not that bad.  It is just under 100 miles from Port Royal to I-64 Exit 258.

US-301 in southern Maryland has about 60 traffic lights now, and Waldorf and La Plata are very congested, something that I will avoid unless there is a catastrophe on I-95, as it will take -much- longer timewise.  There is no significant mileage savings for any of the trips to the south or southeast.

Alternatively, from Northern Virginia, I-95 south to Exit 126 near Massaponax, then U.S. 17 east and south from there. 

Likewise a lot slower than the Interstates, many traffic lights, and by then you've passed the most congested part of I-95 in NoVa.

[Beltway]

I wonder why VDOT never considered extending I-295 westward to I-85. It would've allowed traffic to go from I-85 to I-295 without even having to go through Petersburg and it's interchange.

They did...
Scott gives a brief description here...
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html

The Route 895 route was built in lieu of the I-295 extension to I-85 --
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Route_895_Connector.html#Early_Studies

An I-295 extension to I-85 would still have merit, especially that 30+ years have passed and traffic has grown, but I don't think any official action has taken place since then.

[froggie]

^^ IIRC, there was further consideration of a "southern Petersburg bypass" beyond what Scott references on his website, possibly related to the "TransAmerica Corridor" proposal along US 460.

US-301 in southern Maryland has about 60 traffic lights now, and Waldorf and La Plata are very congested, something that I will avoid unless there is a catastrophe on I-95, as it will take -much- longer timewise.  There is no significant mileage savings for any of the trips to the south or southeast.

I wouldn't say it's "no significant mileage savings".  From Camp Springs to Newport News, it's about 20 miles shorter via MD 5/US 301/US 17 over taking I-95/I-295/I-64.  But it's generally slower as you note.  That said, CP has a good point in that it's much less stressful than I-95 or I-64.

[Beltway]

US-301 in southern Maryland has about 60 traffic lights now, and Waldorf and La Plata are very congested, something that I will avoid unless there is a catastrophe on I-95, as it will take -much- longer timewise.  There is no significant mileage savings for any of the trips to the south or southeast.

I wouldn't say it's "no significant mileage savings".  From Camp Springs to Newport News, it's about 20 miles shorter via MD 5/US 301/US 17 over taking I-95/I-295/I-64.  But it's generally slower as you note.  That said, CP has a good point in that it's much less stressful than I-95 or I-64.

I tried it once, and it was -much- slower timewise, probably over 100 traffic lights, and that created a lot of stress.

[hbelkins]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

[LM117]

I wonder why VDOT never considered extending I-295 westward to I-85. It would've allowed traffic to go from I-85 to I-295 without even having to go through Petersburg and it's interchange.

They did...
Scott gives a brief description here...
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html

The Route 895 route was built in lieu of the I-295 extension to I-85 --
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Route_895_Connector.html#Early_Studies

An I-295 extension to I-85 would still have merit, especially that 30+ years have passed and traffic has grown, but I don't think any official action has taken place since then.

I agree that it still has merit. I'm surprised Petersburg hasn't pushed for it.

[cpzilliacus]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

First extruded panels I ever saw in Virginia (at least on VDOT-maintained roads) was about 10 (or more) years ago on I-395 (Shirley Highway) northbound (local lanes) passing the  Pentagon and approaching the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington.  At the time, they looked very "out of place" on a Virginia highway.

[Beltway]

I wonder why VDOT never considered extending I-295 westward to I-85. It would've allowed traffic to go from I-85 to I-295 without even having to go through Petersburg and it's interchange.

They did... Scott gives a brief description here...
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/RPT_I295.html

The Route 895 route was built in lieu of the I-295 extension to I-85 --
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Route_895_Connector.html#Early_Studies
An I-295 extension to I-85 would still have merit, especially that 30+ years have passed and traffic has grown, but I don't think any official action has taken place since then.

I agree that it still has merit. I'm surprised Petersburg hasn't pushed for it.

I don't think that traffic has gotten to the point to where there is any real urgency yet.  I-85 to I-95 is workable usually even in peak hours, and there are all-freeway ways to bypass I-95 thru Richmond if you are willing to pay a toll (VA-895 to I-295, and VA-150 to VA-76 to I-195); and US-460 thru traffic can use I-95 to I-85 thru Petersburg.

[1995hoo]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

What does "extruded panels" mean?

[CVski]

Quick, https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9525371,-78.2624879,9z
clinch I-95 Staunton to Va Beach while you can! 

[Pink Jazz]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

What does "extruded panels" mean?

Extruded panels are the signs that are composed of the horizontal beams bolted together to form a sign.  This contrasts with incremental panel signs, which are made of flat sheets that are riveted together.  Extruded panel signs nearly always have square corners, while incremental panel signs often have rounded corners.

Looks like the extruded panel signs are now spreading into other VDOT districts; I thought it was strictly something that the Northern Virginia district was trying out.

[NJRoadfan]

I don't think that traffic has gotten to the point to where there is any real urgency yet.  I-85 to I-95 is workable usually even in peak hours, and there are all-freeway ways to bypass I-95 thru Richmond if you are willing to pay a toll (VA-895 to I-295, and VA-150 to VA-76 to I-195); and US-460 thru traffic can use I-95 to I-85 thru Petersburg.

The not-so-freeway route of VA-10 works too. I use that one often when I'm passing through the area.

[Beltway]

I don't think that traffic has gotten to the point to where there is any real urgency yet.  I-85 to I-95 is workable usually even in peak hours, and there are all-freeway ways to bypass I-95 thru Richmond if you are willing to pay a toll (VA-895 to I-295, and VA-150 to VA-76 to I-195); and US-460 thru traffic can use I-95 to I-85 thru Petersburg.

The not-so-freeway route of VA-10 works too. I use that one often when I'm passing through the area.

The 4-lane portion will soon be widened to 8 lanes, with superstreet improvements --

Route 10 Widening, Bermuda Triangle to Meadowville
http://www.chesterfield.gov/Transportation.aspx?id=8590043054

This project involves improvements to the intersection of Route 10 and Meadowville Road and widening Route 10 between Bermuda Triangle Road and Meadowville Road to eight lanes. The project has been partially funded by the Governor's Transportation Initiative of 2011 and additional federal funds secured by the county.

A public hearing was held on March 19, 2014. The major design features were approved on August 21, 2014. Purchase of right-of-way and easements is underway with completion anticipated in Spring 2017. Utility relocations are anticipated to begin in Summer 2017 and be complete in Summer 2018. Construction is anticipated to begin Summer 2018 with completion anticipated Summer 2020.

[plain]

I don't think that traffic has gotten to the point to where there is any real urgency yet.  I-85 to I-95 is workable usually even in peak hours, and there are all-freeway ways to bypass I-95 thru Richmond if you are willing to pay a toll (VA-895 to I-295, and VA-150 to VA-76 to I-195); and US-460 thru traffic can use I-95 to I-85 thru Petersburg.

The not-so-freeway route of VA-10 works too. I use that one often when I'm passing through the area.

VA 10 is a gamble if you use it during daytime hours.. it can get very crowded at times between the two interstates. It should be much better once that project Beltway mentioned is completed. It's definitely great to use at night though, especially if one wants to get from I-85 to I-64 east of Richmond and vice-versa.

[Beltway]

I don't think that traffic has gotten to the point to where there is any real urgency yet.  I-85 to I-95 is workable usually even in peak hours, and there are all-freeway ways to bypass I-95 thru Richmond if you are willing to pay a toll (VA-895 to I-295, and VA-150 to VA-76 to I-195); and US-460 thru traffic can use I-95 to I-85 thru Petersburg.

The not-so-freeway route of VA-10 works too. I use that one often when I'm passing through the area.

VA 10 is a gamble if you use it during daytime hours.. it can get very crowded at times between the two interstates. It should be much better once that project Beltway mentioned is completed. It's definitely great to use at night though, especially if one wants to get from I-85 to I-64 east of Richmond and vice-versa.

How crowded?  I don't recall any major slowdowns, and the busier parts have been widened to 6 or 8 lanes.

[Takumi]

Every now and then there will be major slowdowns between Old Stage and 1/301, but most of the time it's manageable rush hour traffic.

[plain]

Like I said it's a gamble. I go to Hopewell a few times a month for work and I've gotten caught in slowdowns a few of those times in both directions, depending on what time I go through. The last time was a couple Fridays ago heading EB approaching Rivers Bend about 3ish in the afternoon 

[Beltway]

Every now and then there will be major slowdowns between Old Stage and 1/301, but most of the time it's manageable rush hour traffic.

Between I-95 and east of Old Stage Road, VA-10 has been widened to 8 lanes including new bridges over the railroad.

From US-1/US-301 to I-95, VA-10 is 4 lanes, but that is urban and not in the VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295. 

The VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295 is 3.9 miles in length, and how often does it take more than 6 minutes to travel?

[plain]

Every now and then there will be major slowdowns between Old Stage and 1/301, but most of the time it's manageable rush hour traffic.

Between I-95 and east of Old Stage Road, VA-10 has been widened to 8 lanes including new bridges over the railroad.

From US-1/US-301 to I-95, VA-10 is 4 lanes, but that is urban and not in the VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295. 

The VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295 is 3.9 miles in length, and how often does it take more than 6 minutes to travel?

It could take actually take more than that on a good day, depending on how many of those lights at the eastern end of this stretch are red. But when traffic does gets thick, WB might back up from the beginning on the 4 lane section back past Rivers Bend. EB sometimes back up from Rivers Bend back onto the 4 lane section for about a mile, depending on how many people try to jam their way to the left to turn into Rivers Bend.

As far as the recently widened section near I-95, while it's definitely much better than what it was beforehand, WB actually still has some issues in the morning. The rightmost lane eventually becomes a right turn only lane onto a side street before reaching I-95, while the lane next over is the one that defaults onto 95 NB... this causes traffic to stack into that lane (basically the same problem US 250 EB traffic has trying to enter I-64 EB in Short Pump)

[Takumi]

Every now and then there will be major slowdowns between Old Stage and 1/301, but most of the time it's manageable rush hour traffic.

Between I-95 and east of Old Stage Road, VA-10 has been widened to 8 lanes including new bridges over the railroad.

From US-1/US-301 to I-95, VA-10 is 4 lanes, but that is urban and not in the VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295. 

The VA-10 portion between I-95 and I-295 is 3.9 miles in length, and how often does it take more than 6 minutes to travel?

Almost always. The only routinely free-flowing section is the mile or so where there are no traffic lights between Old Stage and 618.

[cpzilliacus]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

What does "extruded panels" mean?

I am sure you have driven under this structure a few times on I-395 (conventional lanes) northbound near Boundary Channel Drive. Usually more obvious when looking at the reverse side of a sign panel.

[Jmiles32]

http://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/prince_william/route-traffic-support-builds-for-godwin-drive-extension/article_9c27168c-93c2-11e7-8978-bbb2b12a127b.html
http://www.fauquier.com/prince_william_times/news/godwin-drive-extended-a--million-bypass-to-va/article_37ba8708-9348-11e7-96ef-2f82e084496e.html
Looks like the Godwin Drive Extension idea to help relieve VA-28 congestion north of Manassas is now a step closer to becoming reality. Seemed to generally have the most support and the least impact to homes and the environment at the latest NVTA meeting last night. It also appears that any direct Godwin Drive connection to I-66 somewhere in between exits 47 and 53 is now off the table due to its proposed routing through Bull Run Regional Park.

[1995hoo]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but Virginia is starting to use some extruded panels for its guide signs (the APL sign posted upthread appears to be such) instead of the signs it has traditionally used. I'm pretty sure I saw some on VA 288 a few years ago, and there are definitely some on I-81 near Abingdon.

What does "extruded panels" mean?

I am sure you have driven under this structure a few times on I-395 (conventional lanes) northbound near Boundary Channel Drive. Usually more obvious when looking at the reverse side of a sign panel.

Thanks. I've never really paid much attention to that aspect of signage, so the term meant nothing to me, but those pictures are clear as to what it means.