VDOT To Host 'Pardon Our Dust' Meeting for Route 1 Utility Project

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Release: VDOT

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host a “pardon our dust” meeting Thursday evening on a project to build a ductbank to carry underground utility lines along Route 1 between Mary’s Way and Annapolis Way.

Area residents can meet the project team to learn more about construction and traffic impacts expected to begin in March.. The public can stop by between 6-8 p.m. Thursday at O.W.L. (Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton) Volunteer Fire Department-Station 2 (previously known as Botts Fire Hall), 1306 F St., Woodbridge. A presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

The utilities are being undergrounded in advance of the Route 1/123 Interchange project. The first phase of road construction would widen Route 1 and make improvements to Occoquan Road, and it is anticipated to begin in early 2016. When additional funding is identified, the second phase would include improvements to Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard) and the proposed interchange.

Additional improvements in the first phase of construction include:

• Raised grass medians on Route 1
• A new Route 1 bridge at Marumsco Creek
• Ten-foot shared-use path and six-foot sidewalk on Route 1
• Enhanced access to the Woodbridge VRE/Amtrak Station for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians

The cost for the underground utilities ductbank is approximately $12 million; the cost estimate for the overall Route 1/123 Interchange project is approximately $259 million.

Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova