FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Construction on a Virginia Department of Transportation project to improve safety at the intersection of Route 17 and Route 216 (Guinea Road) in Gloucester County will begin on Monday, March 11.

The project will reduce conflict points near the intersection of Route 17 and Route 216. Construction is anticipated to be complete in July 2024.

On Guinea Road, the existing concrete median will be shifted slightly to allow for the construction of a dedicated left turn lane and a dedicated through lane for traffic approaching Route 17. The project will retain a dedicated right turn lane on Guinea Road.

Sidewalk improvements will also be made at the intersection.

Visit the project page for more information on the improvements and design.

The project will be built in two construction phases. The first phase will require only temporary, daily lane closures. During the project’s second phase, temporary 24-hour lane closures will be required until construction is finished.

Crews will be working Mondays-Fridays, with periodic weekend construction as permitted.

During phase one, which will take approximately two months, temporary daily lane closures are possible during the following times. Crews will be constructing new curb, gutter and sidewalk:

  • Route 17 northbound, single lane closure, 8 p.m. – 11 a.m.
  • Route 17 southbound, single lane closure, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.
  • Route 216 (Guinea Road), single lane closure 12 a.m. – 6 a.m.

During phase two, which will take approximately three months, crews will remove the existing median along Guinea Road and build a new median and pedestrian island. Crews will also extend drainage facilities and repave the road in the project work zone. Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts during this phase of construction:

  • On Route 17 southbound, one of the dual left turn lanes onto Guinea Road will be closed
  • Route 17 northbound, single lane closure, 8 p.m. – 11 a.m.
  • Route 17 southbound, single lane closure, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.
  • Route 216 (Guinea Road), single lane closure 12 a.m. – 6 a.m.

During construction, motorists are encouraged to use Tidemill Road.

Message boards will be posted to notify motorists about the project’s construction start date on March 11 and upcoming lane closures.

The $1.4 million project is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).

The project contractor is Jireh Construction.

For updated information on lane closures and work zone locations before starting a trip, check 511Virginia.