Manassas Journal Messenger | Lane Ranger for 7/4

Dear Lane Ranger: Hi, do you know why the Virginia Department of Transportation is building a mountain at the interchange at Interstate 95 and Prince William Parkway?

Thanks,

Dan Barnes

Woodbridge

Dear Dan: Ryan Hall, VDOT spokesman, answered your e-mail.

The growing mound of material at I-95 and Prince William Parkway is dirt excavated from area constructions projects, Hall said.

This material has been found suitable to use as fill material for future projects.

Dirt is gold in urban areas and having a ready supply can save millions on these future projects.

Once all the excavated material is stored VDOT will seed the mound to stabilize it and over time, as VDOT uses the dirt, the mound will be history.

Dear Lane Ranger: Several of us in my office believe when exiting the Lake Ridge Executive Park onto Clipper Drive has become “an accident waiting to happen” because of people parking on Clipper Drive.

This is particularly true when they park with the front of their vehicle extending into the entrance/exit roadway from the office park and also when the vehicle is an SUV.

You cannot see any traffic approaching the light from below the office park.

So if you think you can pull out into the right lane and then get over to make the left onto Old Bridge toward Occoquan, you are still likely to get hit because you can’t see approaching cars and there is such a short distance to get over before you are at the light.

Is it possible that someone could check this out and see if perhaps a car length area could be marked off as “No Parking” at the corner of Lake Ridge Drive and Clipper Drive?

Thanks!

Donna J. Burger

Dear Donna: Officer John Bogert, Prince William police spokesman, reviewed your complaint and forwarded it to the the county’s eastern district commander and the department’s parking enforcement unit.

The police will monitor the the road at that intersection as time allows, Bogert said.

New state laws

The following laws are in effect as of Friday, according to a recent press release from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

• People who cause the unintentional death of another while operating a car, boat or mo-ped while intoxicated will be charged with manslaughter.

• A person who is convicted or operating a mo-ped while intoxicated will be subject to motor vehicle DUI laws.

• Any person under the age of 21 who consumes, obtains, possesses or purchases alcohol will be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor.

• Anyone who buys or helps in providing alcohol to a minor will be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor.

If convicted they will be required to pay a $500 fine, perform 50 hours of community service and could have their license suspended for up to one year.

• Those who refuse to take a breath test to determine if they are driving under the influence will be charged with a civil offense.

People who refuse to take another breath test within 10 years will be charged with a criminal offense.

• A taillight is now required on bicycles traveling on roads with posted speeds of 35 mph or more between sunset and sunrise.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Please send questions or comments on transportation to: Lane Ranger, c/o Potomac News, P.O. Box 2470, Woodbridge, VA 22195; fax: (703) 878-8099; e-mail: [email protected]; or by phone: (703)878-8063.