July 9, 2008
Turning will be easier as VDOT constructs additional left turn lane at Exit 150
The chaos of rush hour, school dismissal and holiday traffic will get a little easier at Exit 150 as double left turn lanes from U.S. 11 north onto U.S. 220 north are expected to commence by the end of July.
After more than a year of waiting since VDOT held a public hearing at Lord Botetourt High School on potential traffic fixes, a traffic improvement is coming said Heidi Coy, spokeswoman for VDOT.
Over a year ago VDOT extended the current single left turn lane further south on U.S. 11 north and got rid of the median. That traffic change improved traffic flow some, but this will potentially be a much bigger benefit. Coy said the double right turn lane from Route 11 south onto US 220 north has been a major improvement for traffic flow and that was completed about two years ago.
As evidenced by this Botetourt View photograph taken at 2 p.m. on July 9 at US 11 north at the stoplight, traffic patterns show that most travelers on US 11 north are stacking into the single left turn lane to turn onto U.S. 220 North. Only one car waits at the stoplight to travel farther north on U.S. 11 while 15 cars at a non-rush hour time stacked in the left turn lane to go north on U.S. 220. There will be one dedicated left turn, one left and through lane combination and one dedicated through lane.The current left turn lane is 345 feet long.
What do you think? You can click "comment" below.
Comments
[July 9, 2008 4:35 PM]
TinaIt's about time they did something I guess the proposed gas tax hike would help something--ugh. I think I might be in the green half vehicle. I saw Cathy taking pictures.
[July 9, 2008 6:41 PM]
Cathy BensonWhat a hoot-- caught taking pictures. I always tread lightly around that section of busy road!
[July 9, 2008 8:45 PM]
WeldonWhy can't VDOT put a concrete lane barricade on 220 South on the approach to the traffic light at US Route 11 to eliminate the truckers crossing over 3 or 4 lanes of traffic to get to the truck stop? It seems to me that this should be a possible solution to the congestion, especially at rush hour. Also, I predict that there will eventually be another horrendous accident when a trucker barrels off of the southbound exit with the yield sign and crashes in to some unfortunate person(s) who don't know to be on the lookout. Why not a STOP sign there? Just wondering!
[July 10, 2008 1:14 PM]
Cathy BensonFrom previous experience with the problem I think it is some type of legal issue that keeps them from segregating trucks and of course if someone rams the barrier and gets killed you know what happens next...
Cathy
[July 10, 2008 7:05 PM]
Geo EWonder if "they" can connect the road between the Dodge Store & Berglund to Alt. 220. That should reduce a significant portion of traffic.