The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invited public comment July 28-Aug. 12, 2022, on a proposed project to modify the intersection of Route 3 and Orange Plank Road in Spotsylvania County to enhance safety.

During this comment opportunity, VDOT received a request to hold a design public hearing on this project. The design public hearing was held on September 28, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. at Chancellor Elementary School, 5995 Plank Road,  Fredericksburg, VA 22407. A brief presentation was delivered at 5:15 p.m. 

VDOT sought public comment on this proposed project again, through October 8, 2022. Questions asked in the online survey during the design public hearing phase were identical to questions asked during the July 28-August 12, 2022 comment opportunity. 

Project Overview

The project seeks to improve guidance for motorists turning left from Route 3 westbound, and to increase motorist sight distance. The project is estimated to cost around $228,000, and would be funded through the federal High Risk Rural Roads program. 

The following changes would be made by this project:

• The existing traffic signal at the intersection would be modified
• 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 restricted 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 continuous green signal. 
• U-turns would continue to be prohibited at the intersection for Route 3 westbound traffic seeking to travel eastbound
• New signs, traffic signal equipment, and pavement markings would be installed to align with the new traffic pattern 

Project materials

• Intersection detail view
• Route 3 corridor view

Innovative Intersection Information

This proposed intersection design is known as a Restricted Crossing U-Turn, or RCUT, but can also be considered a reduced conflict U-Turn intersection. 

Watch a Federal Highway Administration video about this intersection design and its safety benefits. 

Moving the stopping point for Route 3 westbound traffic turning left onto Orange Plank Road shortens the distance and amount of time required for vehicles to turn left and cross oncoming traffic, which also reduces the crash risk.

Installing an RCUT pattern is an alternative to limiting left turns from Route 3 westbound to Orange Plank Road in a protected phase. In a protected phase, drivers could turn left only when a green arrow is displayed. Due to the volume of vehicles on Route 3 westbound turning left onto Orange Plank Road, a protected pattern would cause traffic to overflow from the turn lane, creating an increase in the potential for rear-end collisions.

Project Benefits

• Enhances motorist guidance for Route 3 westbound travelers turning left onto Orange Plank Road
• Expands motorist sight distance 
• Reduces conflict points to reduce risk of crashes and injuries

Supplemental Information

• Design Public Hearing Brochure 
• Design Public Hearing Presentation 
• Project Frequently Asked Questions 
• Online Survey Results: Citizen Comment Opportunity July 28-August 12, 2022 
• Environmental document
• Newspaper advertisement for Design Public Hearing on September 28, 2022
• Project page on VirginiaDOT.org 
• Newspaper advertisement for the Citizen Comment Opportunity/Notice of Willingness July 28-August 12, 2022

Project timeline

• Citizen comment opportunity/Notice of Willingness: July 28-August 12, 2022
• Design public hearing: September 28, 2022
• Project advertised for construction: Late 2022-January 2023
• Construction begins: Spring-Summer 2023
• Construction complete: Fall 2023

Project contacts

Ms. Jessica Graves, VDOT Project Manager

Jessica.Graves@VDOT.Virginia.Gov

(540) 899-4267

and

Ms. Kelly Hannon, VDOT Communications Manager

Kelly.Hannon@VDOT.Virginia.Gov

(540) 656-0321 

Phase: Proposed

UPC: 120997, 114674

Latitude/Longitude: 38.31011706498158, -77.67253492884119

Locality: Spotsylvania County, VDOT Fredericksburg District

Translation assistance: For translation assistance, please call the VDOT Fredericksburg District office at (540) 899-4288 or TTY/TDD 711. 

Additional information on the Design Public Hearing: 

Comments will be accepted through October 8, 2022.

In addition to using the online comment form on this page, comments may be emailed to fred.comments@vdot.virginia.gov or sent by mail to Ms. Jessica Graves, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. 

Project information, including the National Environmental Policy Act document in the form of a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion, can also be viewed at the VDOT Fredericksburg District office located at 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, 540-899-4288 or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate staff to answer your questions. 

If there are concerns that cannot be satisfied through this comment process, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Ms. Jessica Graves, Project Manager, VDOT, 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 on or prior to August 12, 2022. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.