FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The public is invited to learn more about a proposed project to modify the intersection of Route 17 and Route 610 (Woods Cross Road/Davenport Road) in Gloucester County to improve safety. 

The proposed project would modify the intersection to a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection. The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of crashes by minimizing the number of conflict points where vehicle paths intersect. 

An in-person public information meeting will be held: 

Monday, March 27, 2023 

5 – 7 p.m.

Petsworth Elementary School

10658 George Washington Memorial Highway

Gloucester, VA 23061

Stop by the public meeting anytime between 5 – 7 p.m. to review materials, and discuss questions with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff.

The meeting will be an open house format and no formal presentation will be given.  

The public can view project materials and submit comments using an online form at https://publicinput.com/WoodsCrossRoadRCUT .

Written and online comments on the project will be accepted through April 6, 2023.

Give your written comments at the meeting or submit by mailing them to Mr. Lee McKnight, Saluda Residency Administrator, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1027 General Puller Highway, Saluda, VA 23149.  You may also email your comments to [email protected]. Please reference “Woods Cross Road RCUT Comment” in the subject line.

Project Background

The project seeks to improve safety for motorists navigating through the Route 17 and Woods Cross Road/Davenport Road intersection by installing a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT). The project is estimated to be around $4 million, and would be funded through the SMART SCALE program.

An RCUT is an innovative intersection design where all side street movements begin with a right turn, and left turns are prohibited. Drivers will be directed to turn right onto Route 17 before making a U-turn at designated locations. There are two proposed locations for U-turns, one north and one south of the intersection. These designated U-turn locations provide drivers with sufficient space and time to merge onto Route 17 and merge over to the U-turn location. 

New signs and pavement markings will be installed to align with the new traffic pattern as part of the project. 

Watch a video on RCUTs and visit VDOT’s Innovative Intersection page to learn more about this design. The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of crashes with minimizing the number of conflict points or locations where vehicle paths intersect. 

Please visit the project page online at www.VirginiaDOT.org to view meeting materials. All materials will be posted online by Monday, March 27.

SMART SCALE 

Gloucester County submitted an application to build this project through Virginia's SMART SCALE transportation funding program.

SMART SCALE was established to choose the right transportation projects for funding and ensure the best use of limited tax dollars. Potential projects that have been determined to meet a need identified in VTrans – the state’s long-range multi-modal transportation plan – are scored based on safety, congestion, accessibility, land use, economic development and the environment.

Once projects are scored and prioritized, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has the best information possible to select projects for funding.

To view how funded SMART SCALE projects are advancing toward construction, visit the SMART SCALE Dashboard.

511Virginia

Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic and other incidents on 511Virginia.

Download the free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

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VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.