Despite some initial confusion amongst motorists in the first few days of the new traffic pattern in Gainesville, the Virginia Department of Transportation continues to make adjustments in response to residents' concerns.
"The first few days were naturally a challenge as drivers became familiar with the new traffic patterns," VDOT spokesperson Jennifer McCord said. "It is a big adjustment for drivers after having used the detour and traffic patterns in place for the last three and a half years of construction."
After observing early response to the new Linton Hall Road and Route 29 interchange and its associated detours, the project team has made adjustments such as repositioning signage and retiming signals.
"The project team will constantly monitor the movements and make adjustments to help the flow of traffic, McCord said.
Residents have been critical about the detour that takes motorists down Wellington Road and University Boulevard to Route 29 South instead of making a left from Linton Hall Road.
"The temporary detours are needed to build the ramps that are where the old signal for Linton Hall Road and 29 was previously," she said.
However, VDOT is hopeful that local motorists won't be inconvenienced for too long as that phase of the project should be in place around the beginning of July.
"There are probably another three weeks of the detour (weather permitting) but the team is working hard to make that shorter," she said. "The good news, for residents and drivers, is that the full benefits will be realized very soon," she said.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!