Test Traffic Pattern Goes Permanent

A new traffic pattern has passed its test run and will become a permanent feature of the downtown Fredericks and Charles streets intersection. Now, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, it will be illegal to turn left from the eastbound lane of Frederick Street.

The pattern change was designed to ease back-ups at the intersection as VRE commuters disembark in the evenings. 

"The VRE parking lot at the end of Frederick Street clears out more quickly now because of it," said Doug Fawcett, director of public works for the city of Fredericksburg. "People no longer have to wait at Frederick Street if someone wants to make a left turn there."

The pattern has been in effect since July 5, when the Fredericksburg Public Works Department installed signage alerting motorists to the then temporary traffic flow modification. Fredericksburg police officers began issuing warnings for violations of the new pattern on July 13.

Using traffic counts, public comments and personal observations of the pattern in use during congested hours, city workers analyzed the performance of the new traffic pattern. They found that the new pattern successfully reduced congestion during times when VRE trains were disembarking. 

During the test phase, two people who had previously made left turns at the intersection reported to public works officials that they now had to take a circular route to loop back to the intersection to head beyond Lafayette Blvd. and Route 3. 

Public works officials will be keeping an eye on traffic signal timing in the area to provide a more efficient traffic flow during the hours of the left turn prohibition.