be your co-driver!|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
· Building more commuter park-and-ride lots along the I-95 corridor south of Springfield;
· Increasing bus service to the Franconia/Springfield metro station;
· Expanding opportunities for workers to telecommute;
· Reducing bus and commuter rail fares during construction.
Commuters have been cringing at the thought of construction at the interchange, but VDOT says the result will be worth the trouble.
"You won't recognize the Springfield Interchange after it's been improved," says Ken Wester, VDOT engineer. "Drivers won't have to deal with all the weaving and merging... that can be very stressful for people before they even get to work. We're going to improve their commute, and consequently, the quality of their lives."
The difficult traffic patterns are blamed for an average of three accidents a day. The Springfield Interchange predates the Capital Beltway. It wasn't designed to carry the amount of traffic that passes through. VDOT says it's made gradual improvements to keep up with demand, but now it's time to fix the interchange.
"We've come up with a plan to separate local traffic from through traffic," says Wester, "we're adding more lanes and 40 new bridges.. and in the end, it will be simpler and safer to drive through the interchange."
But progress doesn't always move quickly. Rebuilding the interchange will take 8 years. VDOT has to work around 370,000 vehicles each day. Traffic delays could ad as much as an hour each way to commutes. Transportation officials are putting together a plan including tow trucks, safety service patrols and police officers to keep traffic moving. All travel lanes will be open during rush hours. Expect lane closures at all other times.
"The more people who get out of their cars and into a carpool, vanpool, bus or train.. the faster we can finish construction. It's going to take awhile, but motorists will save time and money if they try new ways to get to work," says Joan Morris, VDOT spokesperson. "The HOV lanes will also be a fast, reliable route to work during most of the project."
Motorists can find day-to-day updates about construction in two places. All aspects of the project will be featured on the web at www.springfieldinterchange.com. All questions about the project can be asked by calling the project's hotline at (703) 383-VDOT.
| Eastern Washington | Idaho | Montana |
| Utah | British Columbia (Canada) | Oregon |
| Western Washington (128) | Misc. States | 32 more states |
| Arkansas only | Costcos in Washington State | RESERVED |
