Old Dominion News

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is set to commence a safety improvement project at the intersection of Route 17 and Route 610 in Gloucester County. Starting on Monday, March 24, construction crews will establish a work zone by setting up signs, construction barrels, and portable message boards.

This $5.1 million initiative is funded through federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. The project aims to reduce crash risks by prohibiting left turns and through movements from side streets across the intersection. Between 2014 and 2024, nearly 70% of crashes at this location resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.

Upon completion in December 2025, drivers on Woods Cross Road or Davenport Road intending to turn left onto Route 17 or pass through the intersection will initially make a right turn followed by a U-turn at designated spots approximately 700 feet away. This design allows sufficient space for merging onto Route 17 before reaching the U-turn points.

Construction will be confined within the existing VDOT Right-of-Way along Route 17. Drivers may experience brief travel delays due to long-term lane closures and temporary traffic patterns during construction. VDOT plans to adjust work zone conditions throughout the project to minimize traveler impact while ensuring safety.

The median crossover at the intersection will remain open until late fall when it will close for the final construction stage. Curtis Contracting, Inc., based in West Point, is contracted for this project.

All construction activities are scheduled for completion by December 16, 2025.