The 7 year project to upgrade the Springfield Interchange is barely behind us and now the extension of the Fairfax County Parkway will once again make Springfield commuting a challenge.
Starting in a few weeks the Fullerton Road exit off of I-95 (166B) will be closed. If you are a local commuter who likes to sneak off the I-95 at this exit when southbound traffic is stacked up you will now need to remember to get off at the Backlick Rd exit instead.
A study done by VDOT during the morning peak, an average of 345 vehicles an hour travel along the two lane Fullerton Road to Rolling Road. That becomes 873 an hour at the afternoon peak. On southbound Backlick Road, you will find 1,776 vehicles an hour in the morning peak and 2,918 in the p.m. peak.
Anyone who has sat in the traffic in Springfield knows the extension to the parkway and providing an exit directly from the Parkway to I-95 is sorely needed. With the influx of 21,000 personnel to Fort Belvoir area unraveling the roads around Springfield is a major priority for the VDOT. The parkway project is Virginia's largest Recovery Act project.
If staying off the roads in Northern Virginia during another road construction project appeals to you then check out :
I left that area a few years ago and remember all the construction. I do not miss it at all.
Live is good at the beach.
If it hadn't been for you teaching me all the back roads in Northern Virginia when I first moved here I would still be stuck on I-395 somewhere.
I get so confused when I drive into Springfield. Last time I was there, my buyer client would help me with directions. Let's say, he was as confused as me. There are just too many interchanges. Mind boggling.
Scott-yes life would be good at the beach. Glad you made your escape from the madness.
Pat-and look what trouble it got you into :-)
Chris Ann-I guess growing up in Springfield has helped me figure out how to get from Point A to Point B. However all of this construction gets annoying and as soon as it is done they are going to add 21,000 people to the area. Yikes!