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New road targets congestion Motorists adjust to new pattern in Massaponax area
Cosner's Corner comes with new traffic pattern at Massaponax
Date published: 7/21/2006
By KELLY HANNON The merging of road and retail continues in the Massaponax area, where a new traffic pattern is threading vehicles through the Cosner's Corner shopping center at U.S. 1 and the U.S. 17 Bypass. Both lanes of the bypass west of Interstate 95 have shifted to permanent lanes that run through Cosner's Corner, a 152-acre retail complex under development by the Silver Cos. The new lanes, which opened Saturday night, intersect with U.S. 1 at a new traffic signal about a quarter-mile south of the former intersection of the bypass and U.S. 1. The Silver Cos. paid for the project. Charlie Kilpatrick, Silver's vice president of construction, said moving the traffic signal south has already improved vehicle movement in the Massaponax area. "It's helped traffic disperse, and my observation is it's providing improved traffic flow during peak hours in that area," said Kilpatrick, a former Virginia Department of Transportation engineer. "We've got a lot more improvements that are coming." The first store opened in Cosner's Corner Wednesday, a SuperTarget. Dozens of stores will eventually fill out the complex, which will be terraced into three levels. Stores opening this year include Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less, Five Below, World Market, Dress Barn, Rackroom Shoes, Justice and PetSmart. As the center expands to include a Home Depot and other stores, so will the number of traffic projects funded by the Silver Cos. A later phase will include a four-lane divided extension of Spotsylvania Parkway into Cosner's Corner. Long-range plans call for the parkway to be extended across I-95 and hook into the U.S. 17 Bypass. The road would serve as the main access to the proposed Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. Shoppers exploring the SuperTarget yesterday had no complaints about the new traffic pattern. "I had no problems," said Malanna Perry, 53, who lives in the Timber Ridge subdivision off the U.S. 17 Bypass and has already traveled the new route several times. "I'm so glad it's here!" Karla Spaulding, 39, lives near Smith Station Road and takes Spotsylvania Parkway to reach the Cosner's Corner and Southpoint II shopping centers in the Massaponax area. "With all of the new traffic changes, we've not had any problems. It's always been smooth," Spaulding said.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 7/21/2006
VDOT misses the boat (again)
(posted by
KingGeorgeJohn
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I first traveled that section of US 17 some 20 years ago. From the first, it was OBVIOUS that VDOT should have made it possible to go directly from US 17 West to I-95 north without having to first go on US 1.
Since then there has been a lot of development which would make such a ramp MUCH more expensive.
THANKS, VDOT
bypass
(posted by
PYTHON37
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I live near Lee Hill Elementary, and I am glad that they will be reopening the bypass stretch to northbound vehicles. But the problem still remains when I am coming home, and have to drive through a shopping center to get home. Who builds a major road right though a shopping center? It's those danged Silvers. They have way too much power. I can't believe the county and state lets them just change major roads under the disguise of lessening congestion. It is all a marketing ploy, pure and simple,
Cosner Corner
(posted by
mwcjohn
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The article is very informative. However the tiny little map you provided should be linked to a larger image. The one provided is not nearly large enough to read.
BandAid
(posted by
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
It's about time that something is being done to help with the ongoing road congestion. However, I believe this is only a BandAid solution. Congestion is going to continue to get worse to the point of gridlock unless our county supervisors step up to the plate and stop the ongoing over-development of Spotsylvania.
Northbound ramp onto Rt 1-not the bypass
(posted by
ericole
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
It was stated that: "... the old stretch of the U.S. 17 Bypass is rebuilt as a northbound ramp from U.S. 1 to the Bypass. ...residents will be able to zip north without traveling through Cosner's Corner." What this SHOULD say is "northbound ramp from the Bypass to U.S. 1," as that is the only way it makes sense and the only way it could work. This is great, and what I had hoped for. I find it amazing that we will be "allowed" to bypass shopping - unheard of around here, but much appreciated!
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