A new traffic pattern will prohibit left turns for drivers exiting several commercial entrances on Southpoint Parkway in Spotsylvania County.
The arrangement seeks to reduce the risk of crashes on Southpoint Parkway near the Route 1 intersection, the Virginia Department of Transportation said in announcing the changes Friday.
Starting Monday, crews will begin to install median concrete islands. The pouring and curing of the concrete will require total median closures.
Left-turn-lane closures on Southpoint Parkway also will be in place at the medians while the concrete islands are installed. A message board will be placed near the affected intersections to alert motorists about the closures.
Medians will be installed between Route 1 and Pacific Drive to prohibit left turns from commercial entrances. Through movements, where drivers travel straight across the intersection, also will be prohibited. Motorists on Southpoint Parkway can continue to turn left into commercial entrances.
The work is part of an ongoing $16.6 million project. Construction began in March 2023 and is scheduled for completion in August. The Interstate 95 southbound off-ramp at Exit 126 is being widened and is expanding capacity near the Route 1 and Southpoint Parkway intersection.
As part of this construction contract, federal safety funds are modifying the traffic pattern at commercial entrances between Route 1 and Pacific Drive to reduce places where vehicle paths can overlap and result in crashes.
The following improvements are being made:
- Adding a second right-turn lane to the I-95 southbound off-ramp
- Widening southbound Route 1 from the off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway with an additional travel lane
- Adding a second right turn lane from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway
- Medians on Southpoint Parkway allowing left turns into several commercial entrances but restricting through and left-turning traffic out from side streets
- Adding a right turn lane to Southpoint Parkway approaching southbound Route 1.
