At the “Pardon Our Dust” transportation meeting, hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Shirley Contracting Co. Wednesday in Gainesville, citizens learned about the changes to U.S. 29 and the Linton Hall Road interchange tentatively scheduled for Aug. 16-18.
The main change scheduled is the switch of U.S. 29. Rather than being ground level, Route 29 will now pass over the railroad tracks.
Date of the Switch
The switch is only tentatively scheduled since it is currently planned for the same weekend as the Jimmy Buffett concert, Jiffy Lube Live's most popular performance, which is sure to bring additional traffic congestion.
Currently, VDOT representatives are considering an alternate date.
According to VDOT’s James Riddle, construction manager for the Route 29 Intersection Project, should VDOT postpone the switch, it would not be until the following weekend. Riddle said they would have to clear Labor Day weekend and the first week of school, pushing the new date into mid-September.
But no matter when the switch occurs, VDOT representatives hoped that by informing citizens of the scheduled change, they could help to minimize traffic congestion.
Roads That Will Be Affected
Currently VDOT, in cooperation with Shirley Contracting, has entered Stage 2 of the project, shifting U.S. 29 over the railroad tracks.
As there have been several minor collisions between trains and automobiles along the current route of U.S. 29, this is an imperative for the safety of drivers and passengers.
However, more than one road will be affected over the weekend of the switch. John Marshall Highway Westbound will be closed at points during the switch, and lanes will be closed on Linton Hall Road near the Route 29 Interchange.
Traffic will likely be affected along U.S. 29, Linton Hall Road, John Marshall Highway (Va. 55) and I-66 around Gainesville and Haymarket and possibly further toward Warrenton and Manassas.
When the Switches Will Occur
VDOT has arranged to do the bulk of their work during the overnight hours in order to minimize traffic congestion and the inconveniences drivers may experience.
The switch is occurring in stages, so drivers will have to expect differences from day-to-day, even hour-to-hour.
Here is what to expect each day according to the presentation delivered by Michael Trabucco, project manager for Shirley Contracting Co.
Friday, Aug. 16, 9 p.m.-Midnight
–Route 29 Northbound left & right turn lanes closed
–Route 29 Southbound left turn lanes closed
–Linton Hall Road Westbound limited lanes (right, left & straight movements permitted)
–John Marshall Hwy. Westbound closed and detoured via Catharpin Road (local traffic permitted to Dave's Store Lane)
-Linton Hall Road & Route 29 intersection construction
Saturday, Aug. 17, Midnight-Dawn
– I-66 Westbound to Route 29 Southbound ramp closed. Traffic detoured to Route 29 Northbound Exit and allowed to make a left at the Route 29 signal.
Saturday, Aug. 17, Morning.-Noon
–Route 29 Northbound moved into Stage 3 Configuration Single Lane
–Route 29 Southbound moved into Stage 3 Configuration Single Lane
Saturday, Aug. 17, Midday
–Linton Hall Road & Route 29 signal will be reopened to its complete Stage 3 Configuration with the exception of single lane closures on Route 29 Northbound & Southbound.
–Construction of the Ramp G (I-66 Westbound to Route 29 Southbound) Detour will begin immediately following the closure of the existing ramp and the moving of Route 29 Southbound into the Stage 3 Configuration.
Sunday, Aug. 18
-VDOT anticipates construction of the Ramp G Detour to be completed by Sunday.
Citizens' Input
The 50-plus citizens who attended the “Pardon Our Dust” meeting were concerned about traffic backup in their area.
They asked how the traffic would affect their travels during the weekend and voiced concern regarding the traffic congestion along I-66 Eastbound from Warrenton, which is already congested on the weekends.
VDOT representatives said they would do what they could. They post signage along the affected roads and additional notices several miles down on electronic highway signs where available. They also plan to broadcast notice of the new traffic patterns on radio station WTOP.
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