Rt. 3 Timing Project Gives Traffic The Green Light
If you're driving the speed limit, the project's goal is to have motorists drive past as many intersections without getting a red light.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation has timed the traffic signals on Rt. 3 to help relieve some of the gridlock on one of the Fredericksburg area's busiest highways.
"For drivers traveling at the speed limit, the goal is to move through as many intersections as possible without a stop once you traveling are on Route 3," said VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon. The signal timing patterns started on Jan. 23 along Rt. 3 form Interstate 95 west to Chewning Lane in Spotsylvania County. The changes will also improve access to the Spotsylvania Towne Centre, where this is often a backlog of vehicles trying to enter the mall from Rt. 3.
Hannon said an average of 86,000 vehicles a day travel on eastbound and westbound Route 3 between Interstate 95 and the Fredericksburg city line, and an average of 75,000 vehicles a day travel between the city line and Salem Church Road.
"VDOT will analyze traffic data before and after the pattern is installed to see how it improves travel times, and reduces the number of stops for drivers. VDOT traffic engineering staff will share the results of this study with Spotsylvania County and the public," Hannon said.
There are five timing schedules which all reflect traffic patterns on Rt. 3 for morning peak hours, midday, afternoon peak hours, off-peak hours and weekends. Hannon said that on weekday afternoons (afternoon Peak), the signals will be timed to reflect that the largest number of vehicles are traveling westbound on Rt. 3.
"To balance this, motorists entering Route 3 from a side street may find their wait at peak times, such as weekday afternoons and early evening, are slightly longer," she said.
Have concerns, ideas or questions for VDOT? Share them at fredericksburginfo@VDOT.virginia.gov.
Editor's Note: Do you think traffic on Rt. 3 has improved at all since this project started? Do you sense a difference? Let us know in the comments!
COD
12:24 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Westbound 3 does seem to move a little better lately east of Salem Church. However, the backup at the Gordon road light seems to be worse. I think they've shifted the delays west a bit.
Larry Gross
8:05 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
do a poll...
Dan Telvock
8:22 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
You got it Larry
Christine Balkon Curtis
8:42 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Route 3 is always packed, whether it be for commuters or shoppers. It's only going to get worse as more housing and commercial projects continue along Route 3. Another solution besides timing the lights needs to be figured out and money actually put towards it. Don't be cheap about it and wait too late where it gets too the point that inaction and fear of change has gridlocked the area.
Cynthia A. Long
12:26 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I enter route 3 from I95 at approximately 4:30 to 4:45pm. I have seen a HUGH change in the flow. Once the light turns green at Central park it is smooth sailing all the way. It use to take me 15 minutes to go from Central Park to Chewning lane. Since the light adjustment I am through 7 to 8 lights in 5 minutes. This was a very smart test and I am grateful for the change!
Brad Ellis
1:29 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Glad to hear that the money City Council decided to spend on studying and changing the timing of theses lights seems to be working out.
Wink Thompson
11:46 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Mr. Ellis, I recently saw an RFP for signalization; but I didn't notice which route it was for. I assume it is for Rt 3. I really doesn't take a "rocket scientist" or expert to know that if you eliminate the side road and shopping center "triggers," Rt 3 traffic will flow much better. There may have been a study; but, there have been NO changes! I travel this route to and from work every day. The bottleneck on Rt 3 is from Rt 1 to Carl D. Silver. Once I get beyond this light it is smooth sailing in the county. The drivers I empathize with are the tractor trailer drivers who have to stop at every light West of William St to let the side road traffic in so they don't have to wait their turn. My suggestion is to put all these lights on the same timer 100% of the time and let as many vehicles travel on the road between light cycles. Why should side road & shopping center traffic have priority over vehicles on Rt. 3. I believe a serious analysis of staff management decisions from the top down to dept. heads should be undertaken and changes made to proactive decision making instead of the present reactionairy decisions made by this present staff. The Council needs to better direct it's employees in this direction as they may not be capable or have the time to reflect on their decision making process. At times I have serious doubts if council members really know what is really happening in our City or are they relying too much on STAFF!