Kalahari Resorts’ $900 million waterpark, hotel and convention center isn’t the only large commercial project underway near the Thornburg exit off Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County.
Cranes from the Kalahari site between U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 now dot the landscape as the waterpark operator pushes toward a planned opening in Fall 2026. Kalahari’s main entrance will be on U.S. 1 just south of Mudd Tavern Road off I-95.
The construction project visible on Mudd Tavern Road is separate from the Kalahari project, however. That project involves extensive road work on Mudd Tavern itself as well as work on the Vakos Companies’ Thornburg Commerce Park.
Thornburg Commerce Park is being built on a 101-acre parcel — owned by Vakos — that borders I-95, U.S. 1, Mudd Tavern Road and Kalahari. It’s a commercial development being built in phases.
Tenants for the first phase, which is on 26 acres fronting Mudd Tavern, include Starbucks, Wendy’s, Wawa and Popeyes. The Starbucks shell is currently under construction and can be seen from Mudd Tavern. Planning for future phases of the project is underway.
In addition, significant road work on and around Mudd Tavern Road is underway to handle the anticipated increased traffic.
Mudd Tavern is being widened to four lanes between U.S. 1 and I-95, according to the VDOT project page. A new secondary road (Route 2092) that will parallel Mudd Tavern just to the north is also being added, and there will be a roundabout connecting that road to Mudd Tavern. A sidewalk and shared-use path along sections of Mudd Tavern are also being added.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025. There are also improvements being made to U.S. 1 around Kalahari.
Bill Freehling covers local business for the Fredericksburg Free Press. He can be reached at: [email protected].
