FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Next week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will install a new “road diet” traffic pattern on Route 360 (Richmond Road) in the Town of Warsaw in Richmond County.

The new pattern will be installed on two sections of Route 360 in Warsaw:

  • From the divided roadway west of Route 1019 (Gordon Lane) to west of Route 3 Business (Main Street)
  • From east of Route 3 Business (Main Street) to Route 3 (History Land Highway)

At each location, the four-lane road will be restriped to have one lane for through travel in each direction and a two-way left turn lane in the center. The new pattern is being installed to reduce the risk of crashes, especially angle, left-turn and rear-end crashes.

Starting as early as Sunday, Sept. 8, crews will install temporary pavement markings to create this traffic pattern. Temporary markings are being installed ahead of the scheduled milling and resurfacing of Route 360 in October 2024. Installing the new pattern before resurfacing ensures the permanent lane markings are placed in the correct location after paving is finished.

Route 360 travelers may encounter brief delays in the Warsaw area between

8 p.m. – 5 a.m. next week as crews install temporary lane markings before returning to place permanent lane markings in October.

New road signs along Route 360 will direct motorists on how to navigate the new two-lane configuration and use the center two-way left turn lane. Additionally, message boards are placed temporarily to alert travelers to the new pattern.

Road Diet Benefits

Crashes are occurring on Route 360 in Warsaw west of Main Street at a rate that exceeds the state average. East of Main Street, narrow lanes are also contributing to crashes. Research has shown that crashes can be reduced on a four-lane road carrying 20,000 vehicles a day or fewer if the road’s pavement markings are painted to have two travel lanes, with a center two-way left turn lane. This traffic pattern change is informally known as a “road diet.” Anticipated safety benefits include:

  • Reduces crash rate overall
  • Significantly reduces severe crash rate resulting in fatalities and injuries
  • Reduces rear-end crashes by eliminating drivers stopping or slowing in left lane to make a left turn
  • Reduces angle crashes. Drivers entering Route 360 from side streets and driveways will cross fewer lanes when turning left.
  • Reduces head-on crashes by increasing the separation between eastbound and westbound Route 360 traffic
  • Traffic calming that reduces average vehicle speed
  • Fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross
  • Additional shoulder space for pedestrian and bicyclist traffic
  • Improves sight distance
  • Wider travel lanes will reduce mirror sideswipes with existing utility poles for larger vehicles and farm equipment. Travel lanes are currently 9-11 feet wide on Route 360 in the project area. After the road diet is installed, the lane width will vary from 11.5 feet to 13 feet.

Weather permitting, crews anticipate all work to install the new pattern and complete resurfacing by mid-November.

Route 360 carries an average of 13,000 vehicles a day in the project area west of Main Street.

Additional information on the new traffic pattern can be found on the project page at www.VDOT.Virginia.Gov.