Interstate 95 near Occoquan, Virginia leaves motorists inching during their commute. However, some relief will be given in the form of an extra travel lane.
Thursday was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the I-95 Southbound Auxiliary Lane project. The project aims to convert a mile-and-a-half of the existing shoulder to a travel lane. The project will provide a new lane of travel, between Va. Route 123 and Prince William Parkway.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), approximately 80,000 vehicles use southbound I-95 daily.
“This piece of road has been tormenting people on both sides of the Occoquan for almost two decades,” said State Sen. Scott Surovell, whose district encompasses portions of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties.
“It backs up in the morning; backs up at night; backs up Monday through Friday; backs up Saturday, backs up Sunday,” Surovell summarized.
State Sen. Jeremy McPike, whose district covers the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, as well as much of Prince William County, says he’s one of the daily commuters who often does nothing but burn gas in the bottleneck.
“This stretch literally costs Virginians 2 million hours” of wasted time, said McPike.
According to VDOT, the new auxiliary lane should open up to drivers in May.
VDOT added that the $23.7 million project also includes a new shoulder and relocated noise walls. Crews will also replace roadway lighting, install or upgrade guardrails and build new retaining walls.
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Source: WTOP.com
