JAMES CITY COUNTY
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A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project to
increase capacity, relieve congestion and improve safety on Longhill Road (Route 612) is scheduled to begin construction activities starting as early as Thursday, Nov. 14.
Based on the findings and extensive public input from the Longhill Road Corridor Study completed by James City County in 2014, VDOT incorporated a variety of transit improvements from the study into the Longhill Road Widening Project, estimated to be complete by fall 2021. Most notable of these improvements is the expansion of Longhill Road from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway, from just east of Williamsburg West Drive, through the Olde Towne Road/Devon Road intersection, and up to Glenburnie Road. A landscaped roundabout will also be constructed on Longhill Road at Williamsburg Plantation Drive that will allow drivers to enter and exit the adjacent locations in a safer and more efficient manner, without delaying traffic on Longhill Road.
In addition to traffic improvements, the project will also enhance bicycle, pedestrian and bus accommodations through the addition of a 10-foot shared-use path, crosswalks and pedestrian push buttons, as well as bicycle accessibility with the outside lane having extra width to accommodate cyclists.
In Sept. 2019, the $10.2 million construction contract was awarded to Branscome, Inc. In the coming weeks, contractor crews will mobilize and begin installing temporary construction signage and silt fence, and commence clearing and grubbing operations along the project corridor. In this early phase of work, crews will also be installing a temporary sidewalk to maintain pedestrian access, as well as some utility construction activities. Initial roadway widening activities are anticipated to begin near Williamsburg Plantation Drive by early next year.
Traffic Impacts:
VDOT and the contractor will work to minimize impacts and mitigate traffic issues as much as possible throughout the project duration, keeping a minimum of one lane open to traffic in each direction on Longhill Road, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Single-lane flagging operations will be in place as needed on Longhill Road or Olde Towne Road, allowing traffic in each direction to alternate on the single open lane between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Single-lane flagging operations on adjacent side streets will also be in place on an as needed basis, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Motorists will be advised of any additional lane closures or traffic shifts that may occur during the project. All construction work is dependent upon weather conditions.
During construction, access will also be maintained for local businesses and residences.
