Route 245 over Broad Run. The recently replaced bridge links The Plains and other communities in northern Fauquier to Interstate 66.

Transcription

1 28 VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION \\ CULPEPER DISTRICT Route 245 over Broad Run. The recently replaced bridge links The Plains and other communities in northern Fauquier to Interstate 66.

2 PROJECT UPDATES FAUQUIER COUNTY The Schoolhouse Road project was finished in May, three months ahead of schedule. Recently Completed Rehabilitation of Route 245 over Broad Run VDOT completed work to the Route 245 (Old Tavern Road) bridge over Broad Run and reopened the roadway to traffic on April 7. The bridge, located south of The Plains, was built in 1936 and serves 3,500 vehicles daily. During the eight-month maintenance project, VDOT contractor McClain & Co., Inc. of Culpeper replaced the bridge s substandard deck and rehabilitated its abutments, requiring reduction of the roadway to a single lane. Twoway traffic was controlled with temporary traffic signals at each end of the project work zone. Route 17 Southbound Access Restriction VDOT closed access from the signalized Opal intersection at Frontage Route 1077 (Marsh Road) to Route 17 southbound on Dec. 2, A U-turn facility was constructed to redirect through motorists to the loop ramp for access to Route 17 southbound. The project was completed by staff of VDOT s Warrenton Residency for less than $100,000 and in approximately three weeks. Post-construction monitoring shows a desired decrease in backups in the left-turn lane at Opal, where rear-end and side-swipe crashes had become common. Route 661 Intersection Improvements VDOT contractor General Excavation Inc. of Warrenton completed this $1.74 million intersection improvement project on May 8, three months ahead of schedule. TRANSPORTATION UPDATE // FALL

3 Presented at public hearing in May, this rendering depicts a conceptual design for the Route 15/17/29 interchange at the south end of Warrenton. Construction began in early March to reconstruct the mile stretch of Schoolhouse Road near Cedar Lee Middle School to address safety concerns and provided improved pedestrian and bicycle access. VDOT realigned the east-west segment of Route 661 and installed stop signs to create a three-way stop. Sidewalks, crosswalks, and a shared-use path were also added to serve students walking to school. Under Construction Route 15/17/29 Median Closures in Opal CONTRACTOR: General Excavation Inc. of Warrenton CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.7 million COMPLETION DATE: December 11, 2017 Construction began in mid-august on this Highway Safety Improvement Program-funded project to reduce the number of traffic conflicts along Route 15/27/29 north of Opal. This phase of construction, to be completed in mid- December, will focus on three crossovers near Quarles Truck Stop. Two crossovers will be closed and the third will be reconstructed to provide directional left-in, left-out access to the truck stop. Preliminary engineering on a second phase of the project is expected to begin in 2018 and will address a crossover near the East Coast service station and Clark Brothers Gun Shop, as well as additional locations to the north. In Design Route 15/17/29 Warrenton Interchange A public hearing was held May 9 on the project to replace the current signalized intersection of Route 15/17/29, Route 15/29 Business (Broadview Avenue) and Lord Fairfax Drive with a grade-separated facility. The improvements will enhance safety and traffic flow. An interchange was envisioned at this location when the Warrenton Bypass was constructed in the 1980s and was partially funded in The project received the balance 30 VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION \\ CULPEPER DISTRICT

4 of its $26.9 million budget in 2016 through the first round of SMART SCALE. VDOT is advancing this project through the design-build method, in which a contractor is selected to both complete the final design and construct the project. A request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in late April, from which VDOT short-listed three teams. These teams received the request for proposals (RFQ) on July 18, with technical proposals due Dec. 7 and price proposals Jan. 11, VDOT expects to award a design-build contract in early 2018, with relocation of utilities, clearing and grading work beginning in late summer. The project will be completed in approximately two years. Rehabilitation of Route 17 Southbound Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad and Route 805 With this project, VDOT will replace the superstructure, including the deck and railings, of the Route 17 southbound bridge that spans the Norfolk Southern Railroad and Route 805 in Bealeton. It also involves widening the existing bridge abutments and piers and rebuilding the approaches. Construction will take place in phases to maintain a single southbound travel lane. Due to an unanticipated need for additional right of way, construction was pushed back one year to spring 2019 and will take 18 months to complete. Approximately 22,000 vehicles travel this segment of Route 17 daily. Warrenton Park and Ride Lot Expansion This $900,000 project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, will expand the existing Park and Ride lot at Route 15/29 and Route 605 (Colonial Road) north of Warrenton. Improvements include enhanced lighting, sidewalks and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in October Minor Rehabilitation of the Remington Truss Bridge VDOT is planning to advertise a project in early 2018 to rehabilitate the Route 15 bridge that spans the Rappahannock River, connecting Remington to Culpeper County. The truss bridge, built in 1930, is structurally deficient with a significantly deteriorated deck and superstructure and is currently posted with an 11-ton weight limit. Broadview Avenue Access Management/Frost Avenue During the second round of SMART SCALE, $5.4 million in funding was allocated to the town of Warrenton for two access management projects along Broadview Avenue. Preliminary engineering is under way on both projects: $2.6 million to create safer conditions for turning vehicles and add bike lanes along Broadview Avenue $2.8 million to make improvements at the intersection of Broadview Avenue, Frost and West Shirley avenues Whiting Road Railroad Crossing Upgrades With this $2 million project, VDOT proposes to construct a segment of Route 622 (Whiting Road) across the Norfolk Southern Railroad for access to the Route 17/66 Industrial Park. After several years with a deficit, additional state money was allocated in July to bring the project to full funding, and design work and coordination with the railroad company has resumed. Construction is tentatively planned for Th existing Route 15 bridge over the Rappahannock River has been in place since TRANSPORTATION UPDATE // FALL

5 Route 29 at Route 600 (Broad Run Church Road), where a signalized RCUT would reduce red-light time and address a history of rear-end and turning-related crashes at the intersection. VDOT has secured $2.48 million in funding through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program to build the project. Route 29 and Route 676 (Riley Road), where an RCUT would create safer conditions for traffic turning left out of Riley Road. The design reduces the number of conflict points that may cause crashes, as well as minimizes delays for motorists entering Route 29. Route 29 and Route 215 (Vint Hill Road), where the road s hilly nature limits sight distance of vehicles stopped ahead, resulting in a significant history of northbound rear-end collisions. A SMART SCALE candidate project to shave down the Route 29 grade did not score well enough on the congestion mitigation or safety measures to be funded. Instead, a Michigan left concept converts the left-turn movements to right turns paired with downstream U-turns. The current signal location would be eliminated and replaced with signals at the two U-turn locations, which have better visibility and roadway geometry. Fauquier residents and regular users of Route 29 came out in force to the county s Sept. 19 meeting showcasing safety and mobility improvement concepts. Photo courtesy of FauquierNow.com. Proposed Route 29 New Baltimore Corridor Improvements Fauquier County, in coordination with VDOT, held a community meeting Sept. 19 to share a set of intersection design concepts to improve safety and reduce congestion on the Route 29 corridor north of Warrenton. More than 200 people attended to review plans for these locations: Route 29 at Route 838 (Telephone Road), where a restricted crossing U-turn, or RCUT, would ease traffic flow and improve access into Mill Run Business Park. The RCUT eliminates left turns from Route 838 and Old Alexandria Turnpike; drivers instead turn right and U-turn at one-way median openings just north and south of the intersection. Reconstruction of Route 602 Fauquier County applied through the SMART SCALE process to reconstruct Route 602 (Rogues Road), but the project did not receive funding. Preliminary engineering will continue, using previously allocated secondary-road funds, from Academic Avenue at Kettle Run High School to Watson Drive, to include widening the travel lanes and shoulders for improved safety and drainage. Locally Administered Route 920 Vint Hill Extension Jointly coordinated by Fauquier County and the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority, construction is ongoing on a road project through the former Vint Hill Farms military complex, which was closed in 1999 through the base realignment and closing (BRAC) process. The $8.2 million project will connect various streets on the base to new roads, incorporating pedestrian facilities and a roundabout for traffic calming. 32 VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION \\ CULPEPER DISTRICT

6 Aiken Drive Upgrades Preliminary engineering is ongoing on a revenue-sharing project to bring Aiken Drive, a private road, up to VDOT standards for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways. The project is fully funded at $3.5 million, with construction anticipated in Mini-Roundabout at Route 15/29 and Falmouth Street At the intersection of Route 15/29 (James Madison Highway) and Falmouth Street, the town of Warrenton will construct a mini-roundabout for improved traffic flow. Survey work has begun as part of the preliminary engineering process, with construction expected in summer The $434,000 project is jointly funded with town and state monies through VDOT s revenue-sharing program. Traffic Signal Upgrades The town of Warrenton has begun construction on upgrades to the existing span-wire traffic signal at Blackwell Road and Lee Highway. The project is funded through VDOT s revenue-sharing program. Extension of Salem Avenue In May, Fauquier County began design work on the $1.4 million project to extend Route 1006 (Salem Avenue) from its current terminus to connect with Route 55 (West Main Street) in Marshall. VDOT is working with the county to review plans. Construction on the revenue-sharing project is expected to begin in fall Transportation Alternatives Learn more about this program on page 9. Town of Remington Railway Depot The town of Remington is planning to renovate its railway depot, which was relocated in spring The project will make extensive renovations to the outside of the building. The project is anticipated to be advertised this winter. Warrenton Branch Greenway and Palmer Trail Extension Design work is under way on a project to expand Warrenton s network of mixed-use trails. The 1-mile Palmer Extension, part of the Warrenton Branch Greenway, will be built along the old Orange & Alexandria Railway. The Woods of Warrenton The Woods of Warrenton, a mixed-use trail project, was originally advertised in fall 2015, but due to budget and construction issues, was not awarded. VDOT has worked with Fauquier County to revise bid documents and the project will be re-advertised this fall. The trail will connect to existing trails in the White s Mill and Warrenton Chase subdivisions. Pierce Elementary School Connector Trail Fauquier is expected to advertise a project this fall to construct a trail from M.M. Pierce Elementary School to the existing pedestrian bridge over Tinpot Run in the Remington community. Safe Routes to School: Cedar Lee Middle School The purpose of this project is to construct a multi-use facility for students who walk and bike to Cedar Lee Middle School, located on Route 661 (Schoolhouse Road) in Bealeton. The project was awarded in August and construction will begin this fall. Town of Marshall Streetscape Project Fauquier County is working with its consultant to revise plans for a streetscape project along Main Street in Marshall. The project will add sidewalks and landscaping and relocate current overhead utilities underground. TRANSPORTATION UPDATE // FALL

7 Recreational Access Program Learn more about this program on page 9. Recreational Access Road into Fauquier County Sports Complex Fauquier County is planning a new roadway and bikeway from Route 643 (Meetze Road) into the county s proposed 70-acre community sports complex. Turn lanes will also be added at the Route 643 intersection. Fauquier County is currently coordinating with the utility companies prior to advertising the project this fall. Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9. This season, Rural Rustic Road projects were completed on: Route 604 (Burwell Road) from the Prince William County line to 0.1 mile south Route 788 (Tall Cedars Road) from Route 637 (Shipps Store Road) to the end of state maintenance A project is under way on: Route 659 (Fox Groves Road) from Route 651 (Lees Mill Road) to the end of state maintenance A project is ready for development on: Route 607 (Shenandoah Path) from Route 806 (Elk Run Road) to 0.9 mile south OPAL OPERATIONAL FIX When roadway widening isn t a favorable option, VDOT employs other measures, such as the traffic signal adjustments recently made in Opal, to bring congestion relief within a corridor s current footprint. By installing new traffic signal heads at the Opal intersection, plus dedicated left-turn lanes on Route 17 northbound and on Route 687 (Opal Road), traffic can now make simultaneous left turns from both routes onto Route 15/29. The result is improved efficiency for about 43,000 motorists who use the intersection daily. 34 VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION \\ CULPEPER DISTRICT