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TextDriving Through the Braddock District
Major Traffic Impacts Expected at Beltway and Braddock Interchange During Month of December
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
postponed last weekend’s scheduled ramp closure at Braddock Road because
snow and rain were in the forecast. This closure will be rescheduled for
a later date. This work is part of utility and steel installation work at
the I-495 and Braddock Road, Exit 54 (Route 620) Interchange as part of
the Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes project.
Weather permitting; the updated schedule is as follows:
I-495 south at Braddock Road and lanes on I-495 north CLOSED
NIGHTLY from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, through Friday
morning, Dec. 11, all lanes on I-495 south at Braddock Road and several
lanes on I-495 north will close to allow crews to install steel beams for
a new bridge over the beltway. Braddock Road exit ramps to I-495 south
will also be closed. Detour map here:
http://www.vamegaprojects.com/tasks/sites/default/assets/File/pdf/Detour_Maps/495S_at_620.pdf
I-495 north exit ramp to Braddock Road west CLOSED ALL WEEKEND. Beginning 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 through 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, the exit ramp from I-495 north to Braddock Road west will be closed install a new waterline. You cand see a detour map here: http://www.vamegaprojects.com/tasks/sites/default/assets/File/pdf/Detour_Maps/495N_to_620W.pdf
VDOT Prepared to Handle Winter Weather this Coming Season
As the 2009-2010 winter season approaches, emergency
response, including snow and ice removal operations, continues unchanged
as a core service of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
VDOT will be responsible for clearing snow and ice for 58,000 miles of
state-maintained roads. While various state programs are having their
budgets cut, the snow-removal services will be untouched. With a
snow-removal budget of $79.6 million, VDOT’s preparations ensure that all
state-maintained roads will remain safe during the 2009-2010 winter
season. VDOT has also budgeted $14.1 million for snow and ice removal on
interstate and primary roads maintained through its interstate
maintenance contracts. From the state’s funding, $28 million will be
allotted for Northern Virginia roads.
VDOT’s goal is to have all roads cleared no later than
48 hours after a storm ends. To accomplish this, VDOT has 2,314 pieces of
snow removal equipment, 3,146 crew members, 62,000 tons of sand and
239,000 tons of salt available to keep roads clear.
In addition, a variety of chemicals are put onto the
roads before a storm to prevent icing. In case of a storm, roads in front
of major public facilities (such as hospitals, fire stations, schools,
etc.) are cleared with priority.
VDOT has a variety of information sources for road condition updates. The 511 traveler-information service gives drivers the most up-to-date data available about weather, construction or accidents that may affect travel. Updates can be received by calling 511 from any landline or wireless phone or by going online to www.511virginia.org.
Tysons Shoppers Will Have Real-Time Traffic and Transit Information
Shoppers at Tysons Corner Center can check out how
traffic is moving before leaving the mall thanks to real-time travel
information now displayed on screens near mall exits. The Virginia
Department of Transportation (VDOT) installed the screens to arm
travelers with the latest traffic and transit information while
construction is under way on the Beltway HOT (high occupancy toll) Lanes
and rail to Dulles.
Five 50-inch plasma television screens are
strategically placed throughout the shopping center to provide shoppers
with traffic conditions, traffic video, bus routes and schedules and
construction-related lane closures.
“Now shoppers can make informed decisions before
leaving the mall,” said VDOT operations engineer J.D. Schneeberger. “For
example, if there’s a major delay on Route 7 a shopper might decide to
stay and get dinner rather than sit in traffic. It’s one more tool to
help motorists during the road and rail construction.”
The screens are part of the Virginia Megaprojects $21
million transportation management plan to help motorists during
construction of the Beltway HOT lanes and Dulles Metrorail. Last month
VDOT launched express bus service from Woodbridge to Tysons with
half-fares for the first six months; and the Fairfax Connector began free
lunchtime bus service on weekdays around Tysons Corner. In fall 2010, the
Megaprojects will also sponsor first-time direct bus service from Loudoun
County to Tysons Corner. In addition, an employer solution team is
working with employers to help set up rideshare and telework
programs.
VDOT paid $400,000 for the software development and installation of the screens. It will cost about $100,000 a year to maintain them.
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