Virginia

[plain]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

[LM117]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

Sorta reminds me of the famous "can opener" bridge in Durham, NC.

http://11foot8.com/

[plain]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

Sorta reminds me of the famous "can opener" bridge in Durham, NC.

http://11foot8.com/

I never could fathom why so many people hit that trestle, even if one doesn't see the sign the bridge is so obviously low that it should be a no-brainer to avoid it

[LM117]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

Sorta reminds me of the famous "can opener" bridge in Durham, NC.

http://11foot8.com/

I never could fathom why so many people hit that trestle, even if one doesn't see the sign the bridge is so obviously low that it should be a no-brainer to avoid it

Problem is that the no-brainers keep hitting it!

[Beltway]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

I didn't know about this... are they going to rebuild the road on a more level grade?
I'll have to go over there and check it out.

[WillWeaverRVA]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

I didn't know about this... are they going to rebuild the road on a more level grade?
I'll have to go over there and check it out.

Yeah, I believe the overall goal is to remove the grade separation and ramp, rebuild the segment of Quioccasin Road at a level grade, and replace the left-hand ramp with a signalized intersection.

I think the ramp from northbound Parham Road into Regency Square Mall (that passes under Parham) will remain.

[Beltway]

The Quioccasin Rd overpass just west of Parham Rd at Recency Square Mall is being demolished today. Here's a couple of the many, many idiot truckers that have struck the bridge over the years. Henrico County
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1696268777050883&id=119929711351472&fs=5

I didn't know about this... are they going to rebuild the road on a more level grade?
I'll have to go over there and check it out.

Yeah, I believe the overall goal is to remove the grade separation and ramp, rebuild the segment of Quioccasin Road at a level grade, and replace the left-hand ramp with a signalized intersection.
I think the ramp from northbound Parham Road into Regency Square Mall (that passes under Parham) will remain.

I just went over there and looked at it.  Westbound Quioccasin Road is closed between Starling Drive and Parham Road, bridge is being dissembled.  That segment of road also has a major section of retaining wall approaching the bridge, and I would surmise that and the approach embankments will be removed.  Then the Quioccasin Road segment will be rebuilt at grade.  My question is why?   The demolition and removal itself will cost at least $2 million, maybe $3 million.

[plain]

I just went over there and looked at it.  Westbound Quioccasin Road is closed between Starling Drive and Parham Road, bridge is being dissembled.  That segment of road also has a major section of retaining wall approaching the bridge, and I would surmise that and the approach embankments will be removed.  Then the Quioccasin Road segment will be rebuilt at grade.  My question is why?   The demolition and removal itself will cost at least $2 million, maybe $3 million.

My guess is because they're revitalizing the mall itself as well as the surrounding area, coupled with the fact that the county has to spend money to inspect and/or repair the bridge every time it gets struck.

[Beltway]

I just went over there and looked at it.  Westbound Quioccasin Road is closed between Starling Drive and Parham Road, bridge is being dissembled.  That segment of road also has a major section of retaining wall approaching the bridge, and I would surmise that and the approach embankments will be removed.  Then the Quioccasin Road segment will be rebuilt at grade.  My question is why?   The demolition and removal itself will cost at least $2 million, maybe $3 million.

My guess is because they're revitalizing the mall itself as well as the surrounding area, coupled with the fact that the county has to spend money to inspect and/or repair the bridge every time it gets struck.

http://www.shopregencysqmall.com/renovations-and-construction/

A  series of road improvements began on Tuesday, September 5 impacting Quioccasin and North Parham roads. Regency Square, located in the southwest intersection, will continue to operate during the construction process and inconvenience to customers and merchants will be kept to a minimum.  This road project, together with other development plans and prospective tenants will transform Regency Square and bring new life to the area.

The first phase of work will include the demolition of the Quioccasin Road bridge, which provides access to the mall property west of Parham. Quioccasin's eastbound lanes will be closed between Parham and Starling Drive.  Quioccasin's eastbound traffic will be detoured north onto Starling and east onto Fargo Road.  Lane closures are expected to remain in effect for about 45 days. Bridge demolition to start shortly thereafter.

Although, two entrances to Regency Square will be closed during the early stages of road construction, the remaining five entrances will not be impacted during the transition allowing for easy access into the shopping center. One of the entrances along Quioccasin will close to prepare for Starbucks, MOD Pizza and Chipotle. Starbucks will repurpose and occupy the former Bank of America building.

Bridge demolition will allow Regency's developers to create a new signature entrance bringing a new look and feel to the existing property. The northern parking deck in front of what was the Macy's building will also come down, further increasing the mall's visibility and creating an opportunity for outside entertainment and dining.

[davewiecking]

I was stuck in traffic on outbound I-66 just outside the Beltway mid-day today, and was surprised that the shoulder lanes (in BOTH directions) were open with green overhead arrows. (You haven't lived unless you've been legally using the shoulder lane, and had someone pull over from the normal right lane in front of you, then slam on their brakes to answer a phone call, but I digress...) These lanes have purple pavement, and there's a solid white line between them and the normal lanes.

It occurred to me that in normal conditions, it's not proper to cross a solid white line between lanes. I'm curious if anyone knows if there's a regulation/law/whatever that indicates that these solid white lines are NOT to be treated as "stay in your lane" lines when the arrows are lit? There's no way to get into these lanes except by crossing a solid line, and at specific short stretches before and after each exit.

[kkt]

Single thick white line you can cross if you qualify for the special status of the lane (shoulder driving, HOV...)  Double thick white line you can't cross and must wait for a gap.

[Mapmikey]

I was stuck in traffic on outbound I-66 just outside the Beltway mid-day today, and was surprised that the shoulder lanes (in BOTH directions) were open with green overhead arrows. (You haven't lived unless you've been legally using the shoulder lane, and had someone pull over from the normal right lane in front of you, then slam on their brakes to answer a phone call, but I digress...) These lanes have purple pavement, and there's a solid white line between them and the normal lanes.

It occurred to me that in normal conditions, it's not proper to cross a solid white line between lanes. I'm curious if anyone knows if there's a regulation/law/whatever that indicates that these solid white lines are NOT to be treated as "stay in your lane" lines when the arrows are lit? There's no way to get into these lanes except by crossing a solid line, and at specific short stretches before and after each exit.

My understanding is that crossing single solid white lines is not illegal in Virginia unless a sign is also posted with it saying not to do it.  Solid white lines are recommendations to not cross in that location.  Double white lines as described in the driving manual (https://driving-tests.org/virginia/va-dmv-drivers-handbook-manual/) are illegal to cross.

Interestingly, the manual still describes the rules for suicide lanes that Virginia no longer has anywhere that I am aware of...

[froggie]

^ And hasn't for roughly 20 years...

[Takumi]

A state-name I-295 shield exists. Just seen a few minutes ago.
https://goo.gl/maps/2222aKRi7CU2

[WillWeaverRVA]

So apparently Chesterfield County has been studying building an "East-West Freeway" between I-95 in Chester and US 360 near Woodlake, but this is the first I've heard of it.

http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2017-09-20/Front_Page/Chester_school_lies_in_path_of_freeway_for_megasit.html

Story from 2011: http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2011-03-23/News/Eastwest_highway_likely_to_be_added_to_comprehensi.html

This has apparently been a thing for quite some time (related to the ill-fated Powhite Parkway extension to the Skinquarter area), but there isn't a whole lot of information about it. I haven't seen any mention of this on VDOT's website, either.

[cpzilliacus]

This has apparently been a thing for quite some time (related to the ill-fated Powhite Parkway extension to the Skinquarter area),

Always seemed that this would be a useful extension of VA-76 to the (south)west.   Did NIMBYism kill it?

[froggie]

Guessing you don't look at the county's Thoroughfare Plan much.  It's been on there at least since 2004.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Guessing you don't look at the county's Thoroughfare Plan much.  It's been on there at least since 2004.

I just moved to the county, so no.

[Beltway]

Guessing you don't look at the county's Thoroughfare Plan much.  It's been on there at least since 2004.

Correct, including maps showing the "East-West Freeway".  I e-mailed them a few years ago, asking about the rationale, but never got an answer.

It looks like a partial circumferential, but I don't see the need, as VA-288 seems adequate for the task today and well into the future.

If it is for development, I don't understand that as southern Chesterfield County is rural and I would think that the residents want it to remain that way, as there is plenty of developable land in the northern half of the county.

[plain]

I've know about that proposed east-west freeway for quite some time and I agree with anyone who says it's useless. The proposed routing was parallel to and less than 5 miles south of VA 288, no need at all. I am disappointed however in the decision not to extend the Powhite to Skimquarter though. With the way Chesterfield County is growing the state could've at least maintain the ROW for it instead of killing it altogether.

Speaking of the Powhite, I think it's time for the state to consider widening the extension to 6 lanes between VA 150 and US 60 (though homes will have to be taken just south of Janhke Rd)... traffic on this stretch has been ridiculous for a while now and is getting worse.

[Beltway]

I've know about that proposed east-west freeway for quite some time and I agree with anyone who says it's useless. The proposed routing was parallel to and less than 5 miles south of VA 288, no need at all. I am disappointed however in the decision not to extend the Powhite to Skimquarter though. With the way Chesterfield County is growing the state could've at least maintain the ROW for it instead of killing it altogether.
Speaking of the Powhite, I think it's time for the state to consider widening the extension to 6 lanes between VA 150 and US 60 (though homes will have to be taken just south of Janhke Rd)... traffic on this stretch has been ridiculous for a while now and is getting worse.

Has there been a decision not to build the Powhite Parkway Western Extension?  It is in the county thoroughfare plan and will be a very worthwhile project whenever they can find funding to build it.

Powhite Parkway between VA-150 and US-60 was designed with an ultimate design and R/W width to add a lane each way.  Actually extends thru the US-60 interchange area, you can see the extra space.  I agree that it needs to be widened.

[plain]

VDOT decided on upgrading certain roads to boulevards in that area instead of extending the freeway. I will find the link for that later as I'm still working at the moment unless you find it first.

As for the widening, homes has been built in the way near this lake

https://goo.gl/maps/Vuaf26nbcev

[Beltway]

VDOT decided on upgrading certain roads to boulevards in that area instead of extending the freeway. I will find the link for that later as I'm still working at the moment unless you find it first.
As for the widening, homes has been built in the way near this lake
https://goo.gl/maps/Vuaf26nbcev

Not built in the right-of-way ... I can see the limited access fence.
I was one of the designers on the Powhite Parkway Extension.

[jakeroot]

Anyone have any idea what Virginia is doing with their crosswalk markings? I've noticed some newer designs use the "continental" lines at signals, and zebra crossings at yield situations. But I've also seen all-zebra crossings close to DC, and continental markings where you would normally yield (such as at a right turn slip lane).

Here in Washington, cities have full control over their crosswalk markings and signal designs. I'm starting to get the impression that Virginia works the same, however, signal design and placement  seems to be consistent throughout the state (all-yellow signals, sometimes with backplates, sometimes wire-hung). Just curious why crosswalks seem to vary in design so often.

[cl94]

Anyone have any idea what Virginia is doing with their crosswalk markings? I've noticed some newer designs use the "continental" lines at signals, and zebra crossings at yield situations. But I've also seen all-zebra crossings close to DC, and continental markings where you would normally yield (such as at a right turn slip lane).

Here in Washington, cities have full control over their crosswalk markings and signal designs. I'm starting to get the impression that Virginia works the same, however, signal design and placement  seems to be consistent throughout the state (all-yellow signals, sometimes with backplates, sometimes wire-hung). Just curious why crosswalks seem to vary in design so often.

Virginia is weird in that virtually everything outside of cities and incorporated towns is maintained by the state. Yes, even small side roads are secondaries. Fairfax County in particular has 5-digit secondaries, some of which are signed. The DC area has a few cities and incorporated towns as as well as Arlington County, which is one of only 2 counties in the state to maintain its own roads (but it may as well be an independent city). The areas that maintain their own roads generally have a lot of leeway regarding road maintenance (as is typical in much of the country) and as Virginia does not have any requirements for crosswalk markings beyond what is in the MUTCD, places with local maintenance can do as they see fit.

As far as to why all signal heads are yellow (aside from emergency signals, which must be red), the State Supplement mandates yellow signals, with backplates if the speed limit or 85th percentile speed on an approach is 45 mph or higher.

If you (or anyone else) want to read more, state supplement is here.