Reader: Why are the signals at Four Seasons, Va. 234 so long?

Dear Lane Ranger: I live in Four Seasons with many other seniors. The traffic signal at [Va.] 234 and Four Seasons Drive is terribly slow and I have seen as many as 11 cars waiting to leave or enter Four Seasons. Southbound on [Va.] 234 making a left into the community and making a left onto [Va.] 234 from the community takes forever and, as seniors, we don't want to spend the remainder of our days awaiting a green light. The signal at [Va.] 234 and Exeter triggers a light change as soon as one northbound car approaches that community or a car exits that community. Can you help?

Georgie Holtzhauer

Dear Georgie: Mike Salmon, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Transportation, answered with the follow-ing:

Currently, six traffic signals along Dumfries Road (Va. 234) are coordinated from the intersection of Va. 234 and Fortuna Village Center to the intersection of Va. 234 and I-95 [northbound] entrance ramp, which includes the Exeter and Four Seasons Drive intersections mentioned. The coordinated intersections are running the same cycle length (110 seconds from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m., 110 seconds from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 120 seconds from 3 to 7:30 p.m.); which is already on the lower range of cycle length (waiting time) for the major arterial in the area. The coor-dination system is in place to progress traffic on the mainline as well as allowing the side streets traffic to enter and exit the mainline safely and efficiently. The waiting time for the side streets of all signals along this section of Va. 234 is the same because they are operating at the same cycle length.

Off Timing?

Please help all of us who travel on Minnieville Road. Earlier this week, the traffic signal at Minnieville and Silver-dale roads was shut down due to the all the construction. The light was restarted [and] the timing has changed. This has led to very long back ups, going in both directions, on Minnieville Road. Can the light be checked to see if the settings are correct? Thank you for all your help.

Joanne Rickma

Woodbridge

Dear Joanne: Good news. I spoke with Mohammad Ayyoubi, capital projects construction manager for the Prince William County transportation office, and he said they are going to have the timing re-checked to make sure it was properly adjusted after the traffic signal was turned back on Aug. 13—after being shut down the same day after a wire was cut during excavation work.

Hope that helps!

The Peoples' Problem

Last week, Charles Gallion had a stirring letter to Lane Ranger about the chronically congested Interstate 95 that probably made at least a few people want to jump out of their seat in uproarious applause. If not, it did stoke quite a few readers to chime in on the matter: Here is some of the feedback sent to the Lane Ranger and left on Inside-NoVA.com this week:

Lane Ranger,

I applaud you for having the nerve to publish Mr. Gallion's comments on August 18 concerning the "Weekend Woes along I-95, US 1." And I totally agree with you concerning changing your lifestyle to accommodate the traffic conditions in Va. My husband and I have done just that—stay at home more than not. And by all means, stay off I-95, period! However, YOU did not address Mr. Gallion's concerns, recommendations or complaints, whatsoever! What a cop-out! Shame on you! Why does the Potomac News even have a forum for citizens of PWC and the surrounding areas to voice their opinion when they are flippantly brushed off with re-sponses like yours??? Wouldn't anyone in VDOT or the local county governments help you out on this??? I know I was somewhat dismayed by Mr. Gallion's comments when he waffled about a tax increase, as nothing is free! What has happened is an explosive population growth due to a great job market and low unemployment rate in this entire         metropolitan area—beyond anyone's vision! And with this growth comes an inadequate infrastructure to accommodate this growth—not just roads, but an adequate number of schools, law enforcement, affordable housing, etc. lies in its wake! But, let's keep in mind, that with this explosive population growth, we should have a much larger tax base to fund our requirements to keep up with this growth! And if we don't, why don't we? And if we need to raise taxes, we better do it now! If we don't have enough people paying taxes that should, then prosecute, put them in jail or send them back to their homeland. Total gridlock will eventually result in a mass exodus from this messy metropolis! I'd love to hear your possible resolutions, which actually address Mr. Gallion's comments, and I hope you don't just tell me to sit back, stay at home and watch Dr. Phil!

Regards,

Colleen Boyla

Upcoming roadwork         to look out for

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced the following lane closures from Exit 160 (Route 7100/Fairfax County Parkway) and Exit 166 (Va. 123/Gordon Boulevard) as a part of the Interstate 95 widening project for this week:

Interstate 95 north:

• Two right lanes will be closed with one through left lane open Monday through Thursday night from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. for crane movement and concrete barrier placement from Exit 160 to Exit 166. Police will be on site for motor-ist safety.

• Single Lane closure for retaining wall, ground and electrical work, to set the barrier, and for clearing. Work will take place between Exit 160 and Exit 166, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Interstate 95 south:

• Single lane closure to move and replace barriers on I-95 south from Exit 166 to Exit 160 Wednesday and Thursday night from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Police will be onsite for motorist safety.

• Single lane closure from Exit 166 to Exist 160 from Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for electri-cal work.

HOV Lane closure (Interstate 95 north):

• Single lane closure from Exist 160 to Exit 166 to move and replace barriers between Wednesday and Thursday night from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Police will be on site for motorist safety.

• Single lane closure for electrical work, backfill, etc., from Exit 163 (Va. 642/Lorton Road) to Exit 166, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Va. 642/Lorton Road west

• Single lane closure on westbound Lorton Road from Gunston Cove to Silverbrook Road for pile driving and mate-rial movement. Closures will be from Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

For more information on road closures scheduled for this week, visit http:// 207.32.116.40/megaprojects/trafficAndTravelInfo.html.

Please send questions or comments on roads, rail and transit to Lane Ranger, c/o Potomac News, P.O. Box 2470, Woodbridge, VA 22195, or e-mail .