A Superstreet, proposed in 2014, is close to being back on schedule. Due to traffic generated by the Meadowville Technology Park, various homes and multi-family developments, the intersection at East Hundred Road and Riversbend Boulevard has become a true example of a traffic jam.
To resolve the issue, Chesterfield Department of Transportation (CDOT) in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is about to build the first Superstreet in Virginia.
A Superstreet is an innovative intersection treatment that safely and efficiently manages congestion by eliminating the left and through traffic movements on the minor cross streets of a busy intersection.
Traffic on the cross-streets wanting to make a left or through movement will instead make a right turn and then a subsequent U-turn in order to get to their desired location. If enough traffic is anticipated, the U-turn crossovers could also be signalized.
The Route 10/Meadowville/Old Bermuda Hundred will have a number of traffic lights timed to allow traffic to move quickly through the new intersection.
Bermuda District Supervisor, Dorothy Jaeckle likes the idea. She said it’s much better than the alternative, which would be a flyover bridge that would be horrible for the community. She said they have tried Superstreets in North Carolina and they have been very successful.
At a public meeting, in 2014, with VDOT accompanied by CDOT, plans were reviewed and comments were made by the public.
Rivers Bend Boulevard would be widened to include turn lanes at Route 10, while River’s Bend Boulevard traffic would be diverted down a widened Meadowville Road to the new intersection at Route 10 and Old Bermuda Hundred Road.
The Route 10/Meadowville/Old Bermuda Hundred roads will have a number of traffic lights timed to allow traffic to move quickly through the new intersection.
“The project estimate is $50.5 million. CDOT currently has $27.4 million programmed and the Secretary of Transportation’s office approved an additional $24.6 million to fully fund the superstreet project,” said Stan Newcomb, Engineering Supervisor at Chesterfield County.” The project was partially funded by the Governor’s Transportation Initiative of 2011.
Part of the Superstreet funding includes the completion the widening of Route 10 from four to eight lanes from Bermuda Triangle Road to Meadowville Road. A new interchange at Interstate 95 and Route 10 would be added to the project at about $9.5 million.
Another project that is planned for Route 10 between Interstate 95 and Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway,) will add a new travel friendly upgraded road from Riversbend Boulevard to Route 1.
“Since holding the Public Hearing back in March 2014, the right of way plans were approved and VDOT authorized the county to proceed with the right of way phase. We have been actively working on purchasing the right of way and easements needed for the project,” said Newcomb. “We anticipate completing the right of way phase by late summer and we will then authorize the utility companies to relocate their facilities with construction possibly starting by late fall 2017.”
Newcomb also indicated that there will be no more public hearings relating to the project, although, “VDOT will be holding their annual public hearing to consider the funding for the upcoming Six Year Improvement Plan this spring,” Newcomb said.
