Manassas Journal Messenger | Reader: Why the ‘No Turn on Red’ sign?

Dear Lane Ranger: I have two questions concerning the new Prince William Parkway extension to U.S. 1 in Woodbridge.

First, on Longview Drive there is a “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection with the Parkway. Can you ask the Virginia Department of Transportation why we need a “No Turn on Red” there when the visibility appears to be very good in all directions?

Most drivers are disregarding the sign anyway.

Second, on the parkway at the intersection with U.S. 1, there is only one left turn lane that usually has a long line of traffic while there are two lanes to turn right with very light traffic.

Can’t we instead have two lanes turning left, one straight through and one lane turning right?

Thanks,

Dan Barnes

Woodbridge

Dear Dan:

County spokeswoman Liz Bahrns contacted Steven Stevens, an engineer for the Prince William County Public Works Department. He looked into you request.

A wedge of pavement would have to be added to U.S. 1 north in order to make the center lane of the Prince William Parkway at U.S. 1 into a thru/left-turn lane, Stevens wrote in an e-mali Bahrns forwarded to the Lane Ranger.

The median would also have to be shortened so large vehicles could make the turning radius, Stevens said.

Changing the signal might also require that the signal phasing be adjusted, Stevens said.

Stevens said he drafted a sketch of the proposed changes and forwarded it to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The problem with no turns on red might be because there are two right-turn lanes there, Stevens said.

“I believe this is a dual right and VDOT does not permit right turn on red from the left most right turn lane at dual right intersections for safety reasons.” Stevens said.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has asked the VDOT to evaluate the proposed changes, Stevens said.

Dear Lane Ranger: On Dec. 14, U.S. 15 was plagued by three separate accidents within a 5-mile span. The intersection of U.S. 15 and Va. 234 seems to be an almost weekly hot spot for accidents.

Are there any plans for improvement on this road?

It is a major trucking route and now an over-used road for commuters.

Too many times I have witnessed near head-on collisions. Please let me know if there is anything I can do as a citizen, to bring awareness to this horrific span of road.

Patricia Schumaker

Dear Patricia: VDOT’s Ryan Hall did some digging, volleyed a few e-mails about the either and found an answer to your question, thanks to some help from Khattab O. Shammout, the Prince William County road bond chief.

The county has a project scheduled for improvements on that stretch of U.S. 15 between Dominion Valley Improvement Va. 234, Shammout wrote in an e-mail to Hall.

The “Route 15 North Project,” as the county calls it, includes the realignment of Waterfall Road and Va. 234 to create one intersection with Va. 234 and U.S. 15, Shammout said.

The project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2006, Shammout said.

The Lane Ranger would like to wish everybody safe traveling and a happy New Year.