HOV lane extended to Massaponax (Fredericksburg, Culpeper: live, airport, station)

[kenny34]

does anybody know when this project is going to get started , its LONG over due.

[EricD]

Right now they are working on making toll lanes to extend the HOV to Massaponax... but it's going to take a long time, so I wouldn't hold your breath. See, once they do start, they will go one exit at a time, starting at the end of the current lanes... so the section in Spotsy would be the last one built. On top of that, they will need to build a new bridge over the Rappahanock. I believe right now they are looking for a company to take over the private side of things... and still doing their studies and such. The tool lanes would be cheaper or maybe even free, depending on how many people are in your car. (toll boths would also be a good way to regulate people trying to cheat the system.)

[ringgold]

what ever hapened with the bypass around Fredricksburg idea? Is that still going to happen?

[EricD]

Originally Posted by ringgold

what ever hapened with the bypass around Fredricksburg idea? Is that still going to happen?

The 'outer connector'... I think it's been pretty much abandoned. The Spotsylvania Parkway was supposed to be the first stretch of it, and then continue to Rt. 3. The Northern section would have gone from Rt. 3 over the river and then to 17, and then maybe to the new airport exit. The northern section was shot down fast, since people did not want a new bridge over the river. (Even though I really think it's needed) As I already said, the southern section was in the works, but they were not able to put an interchange at the Spotsylvania Parkway on I-95... so that shot that idea. Now the exit will be a few miles further south, and not line up at all.

What I THINK is happening instead, is that Spotsylvania got bonds to widen Smith Station Rd, and then from Smith Station Rd. down Gordon Rd, to Rt. 3. This would kind-of do the same thing, since the parkway ends at Smith Station, you'd be able to continue on to Gordon Rd, make a right (or maybe they'll change that intersection so that people going in that direction have the right-of-way) and then go down Gordon to Rt. 3... It would still kind of by-pass Fredericksburg, but only work if you live over there, or you want to go on Rt. 3 West, towards Culpeper.

The toll road that Silver wants put in would go from maybe the light at Gordon Road, down to the new rest area they are building... so then you could potentially cross Rt. 3, and get back onto I-95 that way. Again, that will be good for commuters, but would never be a realistic 'bypass' of Fredericksburg.

I personally think they should build a new highway to go from the new exit south of 126, over the river, with interchanges at 208, rt 3, rt 17, Garrisonville Rd, then skirt the western side of Quantico, and end at the Prince William Parkway, near Lake Jackson (where brentville road hits...) From there you could go down 234, up the parkway to rt. 66, the other way to rt. 28 to Dulles and that area... It would give you a lot of options. But again, this is 100% my opinion, and I haven't heard anything even remotely pointing towards anything like that happening...

Hope you enjoyed my rant
:P