Lane Ranger: All the lights along Minnieville are connected

Dear Lane Ranger,

The traffic light at Elm Farm and Minnieville roads in Woodbridge does not appear to be on a sensor.

In the morning you can sit on Elm Farm Road for over two minutes with no traffic passing through the intersection on Minnieville Road.

In the early evening it’s much of the same as I sit and wait and while no traffic passes through the intersection.

Why can’t we get a sensor on Elm Farm Road and make it more convenient for those who live off of this road.

Kim Wolfe
Woodbridge

Kim,

The signal light at Elm Farm Road is closely linked to others along Minnieville Road.

From 5:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays, the signal is coordinated with 16 other signal lights, from Estate Drive at Cardinal Drive to Oak Farm Drive, said Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer McCord.

There are different timings at the lights to help cars move more efficiently along Minnieville Road. The light can last longer during the morning cycles but can be shorter both during the day and at night, said McCord.

“The critical intersections along Minnieville, such as Prince William Parkway, Smoketown Road, and Dale Boulevard help determine the length of the timings, and other intersections may endure delays to help coordinate,” said McCord.

As for a sensor embedded in the pavement at the intersection of Elm Farm and Minnieville roads — there is one, she added.

Send your commuter questions to the Lane Ranger via e-mail at , on inside-nova.com on Facebook and via Twitter at Twitter.com/insidenova. You can also send your questions directly to the Lane Ranger, 14010 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192.