Virginia

[plain]

Speed limit on I-64 to rise from 60 to 65 between exit 255 and 261 starting tomorrow: https://www.wavy.com/traffic/speed-limit-increasing-on-i-64-in-hampton-newport-news/1652624115

This is a great call by Virginia as I've seen only 4 accidents on this stretch since it's been 8 lanes and 3 of them was WB at Exit 258 (US 17). This should make driving this stretch a lot more comfortable.

Once all of the construction near Williamsburg and near I-295 is completed the highway will have a speed limit of 65 MPH or higher from Exit 261 all the way back to MM 194 (unless or until more widening projects happen).

[1995hoo]

I haven't watched the video (don't want to play sound at work). New road opening in Tysons. I believe the new Wegmans will be adjacent to the new road but that Wegmans wanted the road to open before the store. (It will not be as big as their other area stores.)

https://twitter.com/adamtuss/status/1072892700976914432?s=21

[Beltway]

I haven't watched the video (don't want to play sound at work). New road opening in Tysons. I believe the new Wegmans will be adjacent to the new road but that Wegmans wanted the road to open before the store. (It will not be as big as their other area stores.)

That was quick ... construction began in Jan. 2017.

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/jones_branch_connector.asp

[1995hoo]

I haven't watched the video (don't want to play sound at work). New road opening in Tysons. I believe the new Wegmans will be adjacent to the new road but that Wegmans wanted the road to open before the store. (It will not be as big as their other area stores.)

That was quick ... construction began in Jan. 2017.

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/jones_branch_connector.asp

Yeah. It's a very short segment, but it's also in a very busy area. It opens an interesting new option for getting to the two malls from McLean because it lets you bail off 123 a lot earlier.

[Beltway]

That was quick construction, began in Jan. 2017.
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/jones_branch_connector.asp

Yeah. It's a very short segment, but it's also in a very busy area. It opens an interesting new option for getting to the two malls from McLean because it lets you bail off 123 a lot earlier.

Short segment but major bridge to build.  Very beneficial new connection across the whole Beltway.

[1995hoo]

That was quick construction, began in Jan. 2017.
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/jones_branch_connector.asp

Yeah. It's a very short segment, but it's also in a very busy area. It opens an interesting new option for getting to the two malls from McLean because it lets you bail off 123 a lot earlier.

Short segment but major bridge to build.  Very beneficial new connection across the whole Beltway.

Agreed on both points. I'd go over there sometime soon to check it out except I really dislike going near Tysons during the two weeks before Christmas for obvious reasons!

[sprjus4]

Speed limit on I-64 to rise from 60 to 65 between exit 255 and 261 starting tomorrow: https://www.wavy.com/traffic/speed-limit-increasing-on-i-64-in-hampton-newport-news/1652624115

This is a great call by Virginia as I've seen only 4 accidents on this stretch since it's been 8 lanes and 3 of them was WB at Exit 258 (US 17). This should make driving this stretch a lot more comfortable.

Once all of the construction near Williamsburg and near I-295 is completed the highway will have a speed limit of 65 MPH or higher from Exit 261 all the way back to MM 194 (unless or until more widening projects happen).

It's nice they are finally increasing the speed limits. I would agree that other freeways in the area could also handle increases, such as I-664, to 65 MPH. It is mainly a rural / suburban freeway, except near Downtown Newport News, and most traffic already exceeds 60 MPH.

[Pink Jazz]

Speed limit on I-64 to rise from 60 to 65 between exit 255 and 261 starting tomorrow: https://www.wavy.com/traffic/speed-limit-increasing-on-i-64-in-hampton-newport-news/1652624115

This is a great call by Virginia as I've seen only 4 accidents on this stretch since it's been 8 lanes and 3 of them was WB at Exit 258 (US 17). This should make driving this stretch a lot more comfortable.

Once all of the construction near Williamsburg and near I-295 is completed the highway will have a speed limit of 65 MPH or higher from Exit 261 all the way back to MM 194 (unless or until more widening projects happen).

It's nice they are finally increasing the speed limits. I would agree that other freeways in the area could also handle increases, such as I-664, to 65 MPH. It is mainly a rural / suburban freeway, except near Downtown Newport News, and most traffic already exceeds 60 MPH.

I think other freeways that should be increased include I-264 between Witchduck Road and Birdneck Road, and possibly parts of I-264 in Portsmouth (both to 60 mph).  I would also extend the 60 mph zone on I-64 from the Chesapeake/Virginia Beach line to the Virginia Beach/Norfolk line.

[1995hoo]

I haven't watched the video (don't want to play sound at work). New road opening in Tysons. I believe the new Wegmans will be adjacent to the new road but that Wegmans wanted the road to open before the store. (It will not be as big as their other area stores.)

https://twitter.com/adamtuss/status/1072892700976914432?s=21

Here is the full report from last night's news:

https://twitter.com/adamtuss/status/1073223749347041280?s=21

[LM117]

Northbound US-29 traffic in Danville will be detoured through the city due to a pipe failure.

http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/lynchburg/2018/us-29-north-bypass-traffic-will-use-danville-detour12-14-2018.asp

[plain]

Northbound US-29 traffic in Danville will be detoured through the city due to a pipe failure.

http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/lynchburg/2018/us-29-north-bypass-traffic-will-use-danville-detour12-14-2018.asp

This might create some headaches next weekend

[1995hoo]

Northbound US-29 traffic in Danville will be detoured through the city due to a pipe failure.

http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/lynchburg/2018/us-29-north-bypass-traffic-will-use-danville-detour12-14-2018.asp

This might create some headaches next weekend

Absolutely. Thanks for posting that, LM117. We're driving south on Friday and I often take Route 29 down to Greensboro just for a change from the Interstates. Won't do that this time! (Yes, it's a northbound detour, but somehow these things always seem to have bigger effects than they should.)

[LM117]

Northbound US-29 traffic in Danville will be detoured through the city due to a pipe failure.

http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/lynchburg/2018/us-29-north-bypass-traffic-will-use-danville-detour12-14-2018.asp

This might create some headaches next weekend

Absolutely. Thanks for posting that, LM117. We're driving south on Friday and I often take Route 29 down to Greensboro just for a change from the Interstates. Won't do that this time! (Yes, it's a northbound detour, but somehow these things always seem to have bigger effects than they should.)

You're welcome. It's certainly not gonna do local traffic any favors, either. Riverside Drive is already pretty heavy with traffic, especially at rush hour. Fortunately, I usually don't have to commute on Riverside Drive except to pay the utility bill and even then I take a shortcut down Arnett Blvd from Piney Forest Rd and use the Union St bridge to cross the river. Most of my commutes are on US-29 Business (Piney Forest Rd) because I come in from VA-41.

I'm just thankful that the detour doesn't involve the parking lot Piney Forest Rd. Now THAT...would be bad.

[1995hoo]

Here's a weird one. The Danville Area Humane Society is calling a local intersection a "hazard" because it's overrun with abandoned cats. Someone dumped 30 cats there earlier this week and it seems many more live there. Amusingly for purposes of this thread, one of the roads is Piney Forest Road, bemoaned by LM117 in the post above this one.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2018/12/virginia-intersection-overrun-with-cats-deemed-a-hazard/

[plain]

Here's a weird one. The Danville Area Humane Society is calling a local intersection a "hazard" because it's overrun with abandoned cats. Someone dumped 30 cats there earlier this week and it seems many more live there. Amusingly for purposes of this thread, one of the roads is Piney Forest Road, bemoaned by LM117 in the post above this one.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2018/12/virginia-intersection-overrun-with-cats-deemed-a-hazard/

If this actually causes a wreck then it would indeed be catastrophic.

[LM117]

Here's a weird one. The Danville Area Humane Society is calling a local intersection a "hazard" because it's overrun with abandoned cats. Someone dumped 30 cats there earlier this week and it seems many more live there. Amusingly for purposes of this thread, one of the roads is Piney Forest Road, bemoaned by LM117 in the post above this one.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2018/12/virginia-intersection-overrun-with-cats-deemed-a-hazard/

That stretch of Piney Forest Road isn't that bad. It's the stretch that's signed as US-29 Business between Central Blvd and VA-41 that's a pain in the ass, especially with the suicide lane from hell.

As for the intersection mentioned, I've heard about the cats, but surprisingly enough I've never seen any there. I guess I should count myself lucky.

[odditude]

cats cats cats

catastrophic

booo

[plain]

cats cats cats

catastrophic

booo

Lmmfao I HAD to do it.

[VTGoose]

Here's a weird one. The Danville Area Humane Society is calling a local intersection a "hazard" because it's overrun with abandoned cats. Someone dumped 30 cats there earlier this week and it seems many more live there. Amusingly for purposes of this thread, one of the roads is Piney Forest Road, bemoaned by LM117 in the post above this one.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2018/12/virginia-intersection-overrun-with-cats-deemed-a-hazard/

If this actually causes a wreck then it would indeed be catastrophic.

Perhaps caused by a driver who was catatonic?

If this is a major road, is is a feline mainline?

[AlexandriaVA]

If they do a major construction project because of it, I hope they don't hire workers who will catcall female pedestrians.

[1995hoo]

If they do a major construction project because of it, I hope they don't hire workers who will catcall female pedestrians.

Those workers sound like a bunch of pussies.

[Beltway]

https://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/articles/chesterfield-abandons-east-west-freeway-for-now/
Chesterfield abandons East-West Freeway — for now
December 26, 2018
Excerpts:

A controversial south Chester road project has been shelved indefinitely following a policy change by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Jesse Smith, director of the county's Transportation Department, the Army Corps now requires the county to obtain written permission from every property owner along the path of the proposed East-West Freeway before it will encroach on their land to confirm wetlands delineations.
"That is not something we would see as feasible,"  Smith told the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors earlier this month. He noted there are more than 50 property owners along the initial 2 ½-mile segment of roadway, which eventually is expected to wind through southern Chesterfield and link Interstate 95 in Walthall with U.S. Route 360 west of Grange Hall Elementary School.
Smith said his staff had completed about 50 percent of a second environmental assessment on the project, but that work has stopped until further notice.
"Unless the Corps changes its policy, we don't really see a path forward to get that one completed,"  he added. County leaders last year pitched construction of the East-West Freeway as critical to the local economic development authority's plan to acquire 1,675 acres of south Chester property and develop it for use as an industrial megasite. The new two-lane road was needed, they said, to market the megasite to large-scale industrial manufacturers and meet their demand for easy access to the regional transportation network.
....
The East-West Freeway has been included in the county's Thoroughfare Plan, which guides future roadway construction, since the late 1980s. County leaders envision it as a 30-mile corridor for new commercial and industrial development and perhaps the best opportunity to grow Chesterfield's commercial tax base to counterbalance an over-reliance on residential real estate taxes.
The project's critics say it will cut a swath through the last largely undeveloped part of the county, destroy thousands of forested acres and negatively impact the rural character of southern Chesterfield.
Barring a reversal by the Army Corps of Engineers, it's unlikely the county Transportation Department will be able to obtain the necessary permission to confirm wetlands delineations related to the proposed roadway and comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

See the URL for the rest of the article.

I don't understand why Chesterfield County didn't have a better plan for major new commercial and industrial development than building this freeway thru the rural southern part of the county.

[Alps]

Since when is written permission required for a highway agency to survey for wetlands? This smells like legislating from the bench, so to speak.

[sprjus4]

https://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/articles/chesterfield-abandons-east-west-freeway-for-now/
Chesterfield abandons East-West Freeway — for now
December 26, 2018
Excerpts:

A controversial south Chester road project has been shelved indefinitely following a policy change by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to Jesse Smith, director of the county's Transportation Department, the Army Corps now requires the county to obtain written permission from every property owner along the path of the proposed East-West Freeway before it will encroach on their land to confirm wetlands delineations.
"That is not something we would see as feasible,"  Smith told the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors earlier this month. He noted there are more than 50 property owners along the initial 2 ½-mile segment of roadway, which eventually is expected to wind through southern Chesterfield and link Interstate 95 in Walthall with U.S. Route 360 west of Grange Hall Elementary School.
Smith said his staff had completed about 50 percent of a second environmental assessment on the project, but that work has stopped until further notice.
"Unless the Corps changes its policy, we don't really see a path forward to get that one completed,"  he added. County leaders last year pitched construction of the East-West Freeway as critical to the local economic development authority's plan to acquire 1,675 acres of south Chester property and develop it for use as an industrial megasite. The new two-lane road was needed, they said, to market the megasite to large-scale industrial manufacturers and meet their demand for easy access to the regional transportation network.
....
The East-West Freeway has been included in the county's Thoroughfare Plan, which guides future roadway construction, since the late 1980s. County leaders envision it as a 30-mile corridor for new commercial and industrial development and perhaps the best opportunity to grow Chesterfield's commercial tax base to counterbalance an over-reliance on residential real estate taxes.
The project's critics say it will cut a swath through the last largely undeveloped part of the county, destroy thousands of forested acres and negatively impact the rural character of southern Chesterfield.
Barring a reversal by the Army Corps of Engineers, it's unlikely the county Transportation Department will be able to obtain the necessary permission to confirm wetlands delineations related to the proposed roadway and comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

See the URL for the rest of the article.

I don't understand why Chesterfield County didn't have a better plan for major new commercial and industrial development than building this freeway thru the rural southern part of the county.

So if I'm understanding this right, it would be new freeway, paralleling less than 5 miles away the already existing Route 288 freeway? The only part I see reasonable is extending the Powhite Parkway to connect with U.S. 360 west of the developed area, but not swinging back to parallel Route 288. Seems like the only driver for this highway is the fact it would benefit Chesterfield County. Realistically, it makes no sense. Looks like a "Phase 1" of an "Outer Richmond Beltway".

Here's a map of this "freeway" - https://www.chesterfield.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1322/Thoroughfare-Plan-PDF

Also, would it be tolled or does the county have up to $800+ million it would cost to construct the 20 miles of highway through wetlands? Again, the whole idea just seems like a waste of time and money. Reminds me how Blacksburg wants to extend the Smart Road to I-81 in western VA when they already have a perfectly fine freeway (less than 20 yrs old) less than 5 miles away that does the exact same thing.

They should focus on building freeways where paths don't currently exist (like extending Powhite to U.S. 360), not building a parallel freeway to an already existing freeway.

[sprjus4]

Since when is written permission required for a highway agency to survey for wetlands? This smells like legislating from the bench, so to speak.

Just another way to push off needed highway projects even further (well, I wouldn't say this project is needed)