FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin construction next week to enhance safety at the Route 3 and Orange Plank Road intersection in Spotsylvania County. 

Starting Monday, July 31, crews will begin to mobilize equipment and materials, and signal work at the intersection. 

The nearly $300,000 project will modify the existing Route 3 and Orange Plank Road intersection to a new traffic pattern to improve traffic flow and reduce conflict points that contribute to crashes.

New signs, traffic signal equipment, and pavement markings will be installed to align with the new configuration.

Click here to view an online graphic of the intersection and click here for a Route 3 corridor view.

Next week, crews will begin to mobilize equipment and materials, and signal work at the intersection. Construction activity will begin the following week. 

While daytime and overnight lane closures are possible in the work zone, crews will seek to avoid lane closures at peak travel times during the morning and evening commute. 

Drivers should slow down and use caution with crews working near live traffic along the shoulder and median areas. 

The project is expected to be complete by late fall 2023. 

Project Background 

The project will improve guidance for motorists turning left from Route 3 westbound, and to increase motorist sight distance.

The project is being funded through the federal High Risk Rural Roads program.

Left turns from Route 3 westbound onto Orange Plank Road would be controlled by a green arrow, and then a flashing red arrow to provide a stop control.

Orange Plank Road traffic would be prohibited from turning left onto Route 3 westbound at the intersection. Instead, motorists would turn right onto Route 3 eastbound to make a U-turn at the next crossover and then proceed west. By eliminating left turns from Orange Plank Road, this provides additional time for Route 3 westbound through traffic to proceed straight through the intersection on a green signal.

U-turns would continue to be prohibited at the intersection for Route 3 westbound traffic seeking to travel eastbound.

For more information, please visit the online project page online at www.VirginiaDOT.org

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 http://www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 when they are not operating a motor vehicle or while using a hands-free device. 

Do not use a handheld cell phone or mobile device while driving (it’s the law). 

Follow VDOT Fredericksburg District on Twitter @VaDOTFRED.

(END)

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.