Lane Ranger: Mismatched markings cause mix-up

Dear Lane Ranger,

When I travel on Spriggs Road in Woodbridge at the intersection of Fincastle Drive, the pavement markings do not match up. This causes some drivers to veer into my lane. Dashed lines in the intersection would help a lot.

Bill Dane

Woodbridge

Bill,

I took your question to the agency that expanded the road—the Prince William County Department of Transportation. While the Virginia Department of Transportation is now responsible for the road and the intersection in question, Steve Stevens at PWCDOT has taken your suggestion about "puppy tracks," or small dotted lines inside the intersection, to VDOT.

"These are typically used at dual left intersections to separate the turn lanes, however, under extenuating circumstances they can be considered for through lane guidance," stated Stevens in an e-mail.

Dear Lane Ranger,

The lane markers at the intersection of Minnieville Road, Cardinal Drive and Estate Drive have been changed so that traffic traveling straight through the intersection onto Estate Drive must wait in the left turn lane. Before the intersection was redone, through traffic from Cardinal Drive to Estate Drive used the middle lane and did not have to wait in the left turn lane. The left turn lane is already backed up with cars waiting to turn onto Minnieville. Do we have to add to the backup by adding drivers who want to go straight? Can't we just go back to the old traffic pattern?

Ann Welch

Woodbridge

Ann,

Khattab O. Shammout at the Prince William County of Transportation said county and state transportation engineers recently met to discuss this particular problem, and are working on a solution.

The engineers presented several options to improve the intersection, which were scheduled to be approved last week. They include:

» Change the lane configuration for the Cardinal Drive approach from current (left/through, right, right) to (left, left/through, free flow right). This will straighten the through movement across the intersection from Cardinal Drive to Estate Drive.

» Install a "channelized" concrete island at the approach to Cardinal Drive, to assist the free flow movement

» Slightly adjust the width of Minnieville Road at the approach by encroaching on the concrete median to accommodate the dual left turn lanes, from Cardinal Drive.

» Adjust the position of the traffic signal

Once one of these fixes is approved, it will be implemented shortly thereafter, said Shammout.

Dear Lane Ranger,

I have noticed a section of Va. 234 being paved between Independent Hill and U.S. 1. The pavement looked good to me. Why the paving job and how much did it cost us?

Jane Eller

Dumfrie

Jane,

Jennifer McCord at the Virginia Department of Transportation said the re-pavement project is being done in two phases: from U.S. 1 to Van Buren Road and the other from Van Buren Road to the entrance of John F. Pattie Elementary School near Dumfries. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $350,000 while the second phase is estimate to cost $575,000, said McCord.

Each year, the conditions of area roads are rated on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the best. This portion of Va. 234 rated a 10, possibly because of the road's high traffic volume, she added.

Dear Lane Ranger,

The wait time at the light to turn left from Minnieville Road onto Hedgewood Drive in Woodbridge can take as long as three to four minutes. Many times there is no oncoming traffic on Minnieville Road, and yet the turn lane light remains red.

This is the only entrance into and out of a new office complex built in the area and traffic will increase as more businesses move in, compounding the problem.

Ellen Surrena

Woodbridge

Ellen,

The signal light at Hedgewood Drive is closely linked to others along Minnieville Road, said VDOT spokeswoman Jennifer McCord. From 5:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. weekdays, the signal is coordinated with 16 other traffic lights, from Estate Drive/Cardinal Drive to Oak Farm Drive, she said.

There are different timings to help cars move more efficiently along Minnieville Road, depending on the time of day. The light can last longer during the morning rush hour, but can be shorter both during the day and at night.

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

Send your commuter questions to the Lane Ranger via email at Laneranger@insi denova.com, on insidenova.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.