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STATE FINDS CASH FOR FALMOUTH GRIDLOCK
Early look at transportation project funding
Date published: 4/17/2008
By KELLY HANNON Despite dwindling state transportation dollars, plans to ease congestion at Falmouth intersection are moving ahead. Construction of a $21.1 million single-diamond interchange where U.S. 1, Butler Road and Warrenton Road meet will be funded over the next six years, according to a draft state transportation budget, unveiled yesterday. "This is great news not only for Stafford, but the Falmouth District and everyone in that area," said George Schwartz, chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors. "And while it won't be constructed overnight, this means we've finally got the funding to move the project forward." Cord Sterling, a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and a Stafford supervisor, attended the Lynchburg meeting where the draft Six-Year Improvement Program for 2009-2014 was presented. "In very difficult financial times, with transportation funds dramatically reduced, we focused on completing highest priorities," Sterling said in an e-mail. "Not everything wanted is funded, but some important projects will move forward." The state had already set aside money to design the improved Falmouth intersection, but there was not enough to start construction. Last summer, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer and the Commonwealth Transportation Board met in Fredericksburg. The group toured the area in a trolley, witnessing the long wait for motorists at the notorious Falmouth intersection. Other stops included State Route 3 and the Massaponax area of Spotsylvania. The trip apparently had an impact. The draft budget also contains money for the $30.4 million second phase of the Spotsylvania Courthouse Bypass. Also, the budget maintained nearly $30 million to widen State Route 3 in Spotsylvania from Chewning Lane and Rutherford Drive west to Gordon Road. Mary Lee Carter of Spotsylvania, the Fredericksburg District member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, worried the region could suffer in a tough budget year. "I'm delighted that we are going to receive substantial improvements in our area," Carter said yesterday from the Lynchburg meeting. "It's not as grave as I thought it was going to be." The Virginia Department of Taxation predicts motor vehicle sales will raise less money than expected in fiscal years 2009-2014. Other sources of transportation funding will also bring in less revenue: vehicle license fees, retail sales and recordation taxes. This means the state has $19.3 billion to spend over the next six years on transportation, versus the expected $20.4 billion, a drop of $1.1 billion. The planned widening of U.S. 17 in Stafford from Interstate 95 to Stafford Lakes Parkway received around $17 million in new funding over six years, Sterling said. But the project needs another $15.9 million to be built. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold public meetings around the state to gather comments on the draft budget. Members will vote on the final budget in June. No meetings are scheduled in the Fredericksburg area, but two are within driving distance, one in Richmond next week, and another in Northern Virginia in May. Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Date published: 4/17/2008
Please visit
(posted by
Justice1
, Apr. 17, 2008 11:18 am)
the VDOT district or residency office and politely inquire. They will show you some things if it fits there schedule. Otherwise, they will set an appointment with you.
Anyone know where...
(posted by
soon2bteacher
, Apr. 17, 2008 9:33 am)
to find what the new interchange will look like? After years of dealing with the traffic at the Falmouth intersection, I'd be thrilled to see how they are going to fix it.
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