"The mailman made a left at that intersection the other day," she said, adding that crashes there block the intersection and will continue to do so after the improvements unless VDOT addresses it.

Shropshire said the restrictions on Carter Street will remain in place, but the raised medians will not block drivers from crossing Butler or turning left.

Falmouth Fire Chief Dave Stewart wanted to know if their response times would be impacted during and after the project.

Shropshire said VDOT will coordinate with emergency services and look into any impacts on how emergency vehicles can make it through the intersection, during and after the project.

Michael Smith, with the Stafford County Department of Public Works, followed with an update on the trail project.

He said when it is completed, the trail system will cover about four miles from Belmont to Ferry Farm near George Washington's boyhood home on State Route 3.

The first two phases are complete, he said.

Phases three and five are currently under construction.

In those phases, the trail runs from Butler Road, through Brooks Park, down to River Road, under the Falmouth Bridge and up to Belmont. Those portions could be finished this summer.

Phases four and six will add trails running the opposite direction along River Road, under the Chatham Bridge and to Ferry Farm.

The last two phases have tentative funding, but Smith said until that money is secured, it's unclear when the last portion of the trail system will be completed.

Scott Shenk: 540/374-5436
Email: sshenk@freelancestar.com