U.S. 1 Congestion Will Be Relieved -- Somewhat -- By Traffic Signal Manipulation

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Although Fredericksburg's City Council has approved a $342,363 contract with Aegis ITS Inc. to remotely monitor traffic -- especially on U.S. 1 -- and adjust traffic lights accordingly, that doesn't mean an end to notorious congestion.

It certainly will help, according to Public Works Director Doug Fawcett, but it's no panacea.

"I wouldn't want to over-promise that it will have a (normal) day-to-day affect," he said Thursday. "We will monitor it on a day-to-day basis but we won't be playing with the system every day during rush hour.

"It's a management tool for something out of the ordinary."

To wit: If there's an accident on Interstate 95, VDOT would notify Fredericksburg, which could, in turn, adjust the timing of traffic signals on U.S. 1 for motorists taking that mandated or optional detour.

Ditto for holiday or weekend traffic.

"More green time on Route 1 and (less) on the side-street lights," Fawcett said.