York Neighborhoods Affected by Fort Eustis Blvd Work

By Amber Lester Thursday, July 22, 2010

The widening of Fort Eustis Boulevard is affecting neighborhoods in York County this week.

Starting Monday, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contractor crews began the process of eliminating the dedicated turn lanes into Burnt Bridge Crossing and Wood Towne Quarters subdivisions. Traffic now merges into one lane in each direction just west of the entrance into a McDonald’s located near the intersection of Fort Eustis Boulevard and Route 17.

 

VDOT started the project to widen Fort Eustis Boulevard in November 2009, with an estimated completion date of April 2012. Spokesperson Lauren Hansen said the project has been slated for construction for more than 10 years because traffic has increased on the road, which is a common cut-through between Jefferson Avenue and Route 17. The road is bordered by Newport News Park; Hansen said VDOT invested in land there years ago in anticipation of the road’s eventual expansion. “We designed a park and sanctuary so that when we did have to take down a number of trees, we’d be able to mitigate that loss,” she said.

Construction began when the department received $15.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment act funds in 2008. The project will widen the two-lane road into a four-lane road with two lanes in each direction. VDOT will also add a raised median and turn lanes, along with a new traffic signal at the intersection of Woodside Lane and Clubhouse Way. Six segments of soundwall will be installed, three each on the south and north sides.

The shift in the traffic pattern this week is necessary for crews to begin work on the new westbound travel lanes, drainage installation and soundwall construction. The new traffic pattern is scheduled to be in place until next spring.