The coming wave of data centers to the Fredericksburg area explains the significant digging that people may have noticed along major roads including U.S. Route 1, State Route 3 and U.S. 17.
Fiber lines are currently being installed by contractor Summit IG in the state right-of-ways in the Fredericksburg area to set up a network and connect facilities for Amazon data centers, said Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) spokeswoman Kelly Hannon.
The work involves teams of people with major construction equipment along area roads burying the fiber lines that connect data centers. Hannon said most of the fiber installation does not require a lane closure and can be accomplished from the road’s shoulder. VDOT’s permit office reviews any requests by Summit IG for work in the state right-of-ways and for shoulder or lane closures.
Much of the work is occurring in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, where the region’s first data centers are underway. There is also work occurring within Fredericksburg and King George County.
Hannon said VDOT anticipates receiving more permit requests for fiber installation in the right-of-ways in the region over the next 12-18 months. The list includes:
- Interstate 95: Multiple locations in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
- King George: State Route 3 from the Stafford line to just north of the Bloomsbury Road intersection
- Spotsylvania: U.S. 17 (Mills Drive) from the I-95 overpass to the Caroline County line
- Stafford County:
- U.S. 1 from Hospital Center Boulevard to U.S. 17 Business (Warrenton Road)
- U.S. 17 from Poplar Road to Hartwood Road
- Enon Road from U.S. 1 to Truslow Road
- Hartwood Road from U.S. 17 to Poplar Road
- Heflin Road from Poplar Road to Tacketts Mill Road
- Poplar Road from Truslow Road to U.S. 17, and from Hartwood Road to Heflin Road
- Tacketts Mill Road from Heflin Road to the Fauquier County line
- Truslow Road from Enon Road to Poplar Road
Bill Freehling covers local business for the Fredericksburg Free Press. He can be reached at: [email protected].
