| FREDERICKSBURG – The public is invited to learn more and comment on a proposed project to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Route 3 (Twiggs Ferry Road) and Route 198 (Buckley Hall Road) in Mathews County. An in-person design public hearing will be held: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026* 5-7 p.m. Mathews Family YMCA 33 Cricket Hill Road Hudgins, VA 23076 *In the event a backup date is needed, the hearing will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the same location. Stop by the public hearing anytime between 5-7 p.m. to review displays and discuss questions with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff. The meeting will be held in an open house format. The public can also view project materials on the project page and submit comments using an online survey. Comments on the project will be accepted at the public hearing and afterward through Saturday, Sept. 12. Comments may be emailed to fred.comments@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “Route 3 and Route 198 roundabout” in the email subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mailing them to Mr. Celso Santos, VDOT Project Manager, 87 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. Project Background This proposed $8 million project seeks to improve safety and traffic operations at the intersection. Roundabouts allow traffic to continuously flow through an intersection with fewer unnecessary stops. This can reduce delays for drivers when compared with a conventional intersection with a traffic signal, where vehicles may be required to stop even when little or no conflicting traffic is present. Roundabouts also have a greater demonstrated ability to reduce crashes when compared with a traffic signal, especially crashes involving severe injuries and/or fatalities. At roundabouts, drivers typically slow down to 15-25 mph to navigate the pattern, providing more time to react. Even when a crash does occur, vehicles are generally traveling at a lower speed, which can reduce the severity of outcomes. The project is being funded through Virginia’s SMART SCALE program. The project would be advertised to potential bidders for construction in Jan. 2029. Around 8,100 vehicles a day travel on Route 3 (Twiggs Ferry Road) in the project area. Buckley Hall Road carries an average of 8,900 vehicles a day near the intersection. More information on roundabouts can be found online on VDOT’s Innovative Intersections page, including a video. (END) VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula. View as Webpage | 
