This $21 million project seeks to enhance safety by reducing vehicle merging and weaving that can lead to crashes, injuries and congestion on Route 3 and I-95.
These improvements are designed to lower the crash risk by eliminating conflict points where vehicles currently merge.
Construction must be completed by January 2019 according to the project contract. However, work is currently on target to be completed in late October 2018.
The project will modify the traffic pattern at these locations:
For southbound I-95 traffic exiting to Route 3 westbound, the off-ramp will be extended and widened.
Starting June 14, 2018, a separate free-flow lane will directly lead to the Carl D. Silver Parkway entrance at Central Park without merging.
Three right turn lanes have been built for traffic exiting to Route 3 westbound. These lanes will make a slight right turn onto Route 3, controlled by a traffic signal.
On a green signal, this provides traffic an opportunity to enter Route 3 westbound without merging.
The existing cloverleaf on-ramp that carries Route 3 eastbound traffic onto I-95 northbound will be closed.
Eastbound Route 3 traffic will access I-95 northbound by using three left turn lanes that will be built on Route 3, just beyond the I-95 overpass.
Eastbound Route 3 traffic will turn left onto the northbound on-ramp, controlled by a new traffic signal.
The project is being funded with federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds (HSIP).
After reviewing the I-95 corridor, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) determined the Route 3 interchange in Fredericksburg had a crash rate above the statewide average.
These improvements are designed to lower the crash risk by eliminating conflict points where vehicles now merge.
A public information meeting was held Thursday, June 8, 2017, from 5 - 7 p.m., at Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center, to share information on upcoming construction on the Route 3 Safety Improvements project.
Construction will begin in summer 2017, and will be underway through early 2019.
A design public hearing was held Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center in Fredericksburg.
This $195 million project is rebuilding the Interstate 95 interchange at Exit 140 (Route 630/Courthouse Road) in Stafford County as a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).
The new Exit 140 interchange is located slightly south of the existing interchange, with new overpasses carrying Courthouse Road traffic over the interstate.
The new Courthouse Road aligns with an extended Hospital Center Boulevard, which connects with Route 1 directly across from Stafford Hospital.
West of I-95, Courthouse Road is being widened to four lanes as far west as Ramoth Church Road and Winding Creek Road.
The new diverging diamond interchange at Exit 140 is scheduled to open to traffic on Saturday, December 7, weather permitting.
On Dec. 7, crews will open the new interchange to traffic, with assistance from Virginia State Police and local law enforcement. Opening the interchange early Saturday will allow crews to take advantage of lighter traffic volumes.
Watch the Exit 140 DDI simulation video for an aerial and windshield view.
In addition to the interchange opening on Dec. 7, motorists can expect:
On Dec. 7, three of the new Exit 140 interchange ramps will open, but the I-95 southbound exit ramp to Courthouse Road will remain in a detour pattern until late December 2019.
Motorists traveling from I-95 southbound to Courthouse Road should follow the posted detour signs to access the new Courthouse Road.
Traffic will be detoured for several weeks to allow crews to build the new exit ramp and raise its elevation to match the height of the new diverging diamond interchange and I-95 overpass bridges. Courthouse Road traffic is currently traveling in the location where this construction work must occur, once the ramp is detoured on Dec. 7.
A full list of weekly lane closures for VDOT's Fredericksburg District (which includes Stafford County) is available at www.VirginiaDOT.org. The list is posted Friday afternoons for the upcoming week.
When construction is complete, two new Park and Ride lots for ridesharing will open east of I-95. The lots will have a total of approximately 1,100 parking spaces.
The larger lot will have approximately 850 parking spaces and will include a dedicated transit and carpool / vanpool pickup and dropoff area to assist with High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) use. A smaller lot on the north side of Old Courthouse Road will have an additional 250 parking spaces.
During July 2018, the existing Park & Ride lot on Courthouse Road was closed, and users were shifted to a temporary lot east of I-95 in the same location as the future, permanent lots. The existing 545 parking spaces will be available during construction as the contractor continues work to finish building the permanent lots. The new parking facilities will be open to traffic by July 31, 2020.
VDOT asks that carpools, vanpools and transit riders continue ridesharing from this I-95 interchange during construction.
July 2017: Construction begins
December 7, 2019: Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) opens to traffic, along with the four-lane, extended Hospital Center Boulevard from Route 1 to the new Courthouse Road and DDI
Late December 2019: Final I-95 southbound exit ramp opens, and four lanes of Courthouse Road open between Austin Ridge Drive and Ramoth Church Road/Winding Creek Road
July 31, 2020: All construction work complete
A diverging diamond interchange (DDI) is an innovative design that is increasingly being used by state transportation departments.
The ramp configuration is similar to a traditional diamond interchange.
However, traffic on the cross street, Courthouse Road, will switch sides.
Traffic is shifted to the left side of the road, which allows vehicles turning left to enter an interstate on-ramp without stopping at a traffic signal.
A traffic analysis, in the form of an Interchange Modification Report, has been performed on the diverging diamond interchange concept.
The Federal Highway Administration approved findings are below.
A new Interstate 95 overpass on Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) in Spotsylvania Count is complete. Improvements to interstate ramps -- Mudd Tavern Road east of I-95 and Mallard Road -- are also complete.
Construction began in October 2017 and was completed in September 2019.
As part of its design-build proposal, Shirley Contracting created a modified design concept to improve traffic flow at the Exit 118 interchange on I-95 while minimizing the amount of right-of-way needed to build the project.
Traffic impacts on Route 606 were limited during construction.
New I-95 Northbound Off-Ramp Opens March 21, 2019
Traffic exiting Interstate 95 northbound at Exit 118 (Thornburg) was shifted onto a new off-ramp starting Thursday, March 21 after the morning rush hour.
Ramp traffic exiting I-95 northbound intersected with Mallard Road at a new traffic signal.
The traffic signal was activated on Tuesday, March 19, and flashed for approximately 48 hours to allow motorists to adjust to its presence.
On Thursday, March 21, the traffic signal was placed into full color operation when traffic is shifted onto the new off-ramp after the peak morning travel period.
When construction finished, two additional traffic signals were activated at the:
Construction began in October 2017 to replace the I-95 overpass on Mudd Tavern Road, followed by construction on additional improvements.
The public was invited to attend a "Pardon Our Dust" citizen information meeting to learn more about what to expect during construction.
VDOT and project contractor staff were both available to share information on anticipated traffic impacts and answer questions.
Project information was also available to view on future improvements proposed for Mudd Tavern Road from Interstate 95 to Route 1.
Last updated: May 1, 2024
