For those driving 95 thru VA in next 48 hours

[Renysmom]

Just wanted to let those driving tonight and tomorrow that there was a tractor trailer accident on I-95 this morning just south of Frederickburg, VA which involved 3 tractor trailers. One, flipped and spilled sulphuric (spelling) acid all over the road. I95 southbound has been closed since early this morning, ALL LANES.

The news reports that they hope to have the trailers removed tonight BUT the they have to dig up the road 4" deep and 700 yards wide and re-lay the pavement and road surface, then restripe the lanes. They had hoped to do this tonight and tomorrow but we are expecting 2" - 6" of rain and tornado's in that area through tomorrow morning. They are now saying tomorrow afternoon at the earliest for re-open but it could go into Saturday or Sunday depending on weather conditions

You must take the Massaponax exit of 95 and follow to Rt 1, then drive Rt 1 to re-enter 95 south.. There of course have been massive back-ups all over DC area due to this. It's taking over an hour to drive this detour off 95 so plan accordingly. For those with XM, the Washington traffic station (200 something) has done a great job today with updates, for those without tune your FM to 107.7 (WTOP News) when you enter the DC area, they do traffic every 8 minutes and have been doing updates with each broadcast.

Drive safe and plan accordingly

 

[Chrisypoo]

I live around 20 minutes from this area so wanted to add a little bit to Renysmom's post.

As of 5:30, our local news was reporting that the back-up for southbound lanes were at least 20 miles. And there was a 5 mile backup for north bound lanes (gawking and the left lane is closed). They're also saying that since everyone is dumping off I-95 onto 301 and US 1, those roads are just as backed up.

Here's a link to the VA transportation department that gives traffic updates if anyone's interested:

http://www.virginiadot.org/infoservice/news/newsrelease.asp?ID=FRED-37o

 

[CPer'sMom]

Just wanted to add that it's a mess! It took me over 2 hours today to get from Stafford (610) to Fredericksburg ~ about 15 miles. I tried everyway possible - 95, 17, 1 ... everything was completely jammed. At noon today when I was driving down everyone was still quite polite and patient, but I would guess that will change for the worse as time goes on and this back-up still exists. Avoid the area if you can. If you can't, be prepared for long waits.

 

[mommi97]

Any more news regarding this????? I am unfortunately driving that way from Philly tonight, my neice is having her Baby Shower tomorrow and I have to get off on the Massaponax exit and we were planning on doing Kings Dominion on SUnday. This is just ruining my plans. I have to drive with 3 kids who won't be very happy if we are stuck for 20 miles much less potty breaks.

 

[PiRSquared]

Bumping for people who might not see this otherwise!

 

[PNO4TE]

The mess has been cleared. The road has been repaved, even with the 4-5 inches of rain we got from Cindy last night. The road is not perfect, but traffic was back up and running this a.m. Thank goodness! Took me 45 minutes to go 2 miles (Route 3/Ferry Road area) to pick up my daughter twice yesterday. She could have walked home faster

 

[dmensing]

Here is the latest update I pulled from VDOT's website (7/8 - 3:10PM EST):


*** High Profile *** ------------
All southbound lanes on I95 near Fredericksburg are OPEN
VDOT HAS REOPENED ALL LANES ON I-95 SOUTH between Exit 126 (Rt. 1/Massaponax) and Exit 118 (Rt. 606/Thornburg) in Spotsylvania County. Southbound motorists should expect delays up to 30 - 45 minutes in this area. There is currently a 3 mile back up on I-95 south. Southbound Route 1 and Route 301 are the alternate routes.

VDOT began milling and paving operations on the damaged section of I-95 south at about 10 p.m. last night, opening one lane to traffic at approximately 1 a.m. this morning. Southbound commuters experienced major delays during last nights commute. Heavy congestion was reported on I-95 and all primary routes in the Fredericksburg area.

A tractor-trailer carrying hazardous materials crashed closing all lanes I-95 north and south early yesterday morning forcing the complete closure of the interstate in both directions. The northbound lanes were reopened to traffic before the evening rush hour, however the southbound lanes remained closed. The chemical spill damaged approximately 200 yards of the pavement on I-95 southbound near the Massaponax Exit and it had to be replaced before the southbound lanes could be reopened to traffic.

Here is the website: http://virginiadot.org/comtravel/ct-alerts-main.asp

HTH,
Dan.

 

[PNO4TE]

Thanks to dmensing for the "proper" update. However, anyone who lives in this area will tell you that a 3 mile backup or 30-45 minute delay on I-95 on a Friday afternoon are not unusual

Anyone planning to drive through the Baltimore-Richmond corridor on I-95 should plan the trip so that you are nowhere near rush hour traffic. And rush hour seems to now include most of Friday afternoon/evening and Sunday afternoon/evening.

Hope that helps!

 

[dmensing]

Anyone planning to drive through the Baltimore-Richmond corridor on I-95 should plan the trip so that you are nowhere near rush hour traffic. And rush hour seems to now include most of Friday afternoon/evening and Sunday afternoon/evening.

Hope that helps!

Elin:

You are so right! I was just looking for the status of the road, but it will definitely be worse than what they say on paper.

Thx,
Dan.

 

[Renysmom]

I thought rush hour on this the I-95 Corridor of NVA started at midnight Sunday and ended at 11:59 pm on Saturday

Lived here all my life and it just gets worse and worse but I will soon be leaving NVA for life off 295 in Richmond.. Can't wait

 

[MelanieC]

Wow- How yuck. Next Friday night I'll be driving to Disney from Philly so I'm glad its this Friday and not next. But of course I'm saddened for those who have to drive through it this weekend.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My sister lives in Palm Coast Fl & left her house at 4am yesterday to head up to NY ...via I-95. She got stuck in that traffic. That delayed her going thru DC & was stuck in traffic there as well. She still made it to NY last night though!

 

[PNO4TE]

I thought rush hour on this the I-95 Corridor of NVA started at midnight Sunday and ended at 11:59 pm on Saturday

That might be a better explanation than I have ever heard!

Lived here all my life and it just gets worse and worse but I will soon be leaving NVA for life off 295 in Richmond.. Can't wait

Renysmom -- Our older DD lives and works in Richmond and our younger DD is a sophomore theatre performance major at VCU. It is a slightly slower pace of life down there at the beginning of the "South."

 

[n2mm]

OK, so if you're out there on 95 near Potomac Mills, just take a break and stop by the disney catalog outlet store to get a quick disney fix!! and grab a bite to eat at the foodcourt (sorry I just couldn't resist a shameless plug).

 

[TZMOM]

WOW!! I have lots of family in Fredericksburg area and am constantly amazed at how the traffic has gotten more & more over the years. But how about the road crews? How they ever got done all that "stuff" in that amount of time. Now, if only drivers would SLOW DOWN just a bit to oh, let's say 70 mph??

 

[PNO4TE]

WOW!! I have lots of family in Fredericksburg area and am constantly amazed at how the traffic has gotten more & more over the years. But how about the road crews? How they ever got done all that "stuff" in that amount of time. Now, if only drivers would SLOW DOWN just a bit to oh, let's say 70 mph??

TZMom --

Don't you know? We are VIPs down here and need to get places. Fast

Honestly, I cannot believe how fast people drive on I-95 either. Even in a construction zone.

 

[Renysmom]

Wouldn't you know it... Had to got to Richmond today to check on the new house construction. 95 South was wide open except at Kings Dominion, you could see where they repaired the road.. An hour an half from home and we were there..

Left Richmond at 3:15 and of course, accident on 95 N at Fredericksburg.. All lanes closed... Took us 3 1/2 hours to wind our way back to Manassas..

I WILL NOT miss driving thru Fredericksburg after we move.. Grrrrr

 

[Chrisypoo]

WOW!! I have lots of family in Fredericksburg area and am constantly amazed at how the traffic has gotten more & more over the years. But how about the road crews? How they ever got done all that "stuff" in that amount of time. Now, if only drivers would SLOW DOWN just a bit to oh, let's say 70 mph??

I don't the people in the slow lane are willing to go that slow! I grew up in Northern VA (worked at Potomac Mills while in high school) and then moved to Richmond for college (and just never left.) Whenever I'd go visit my parents I was always amazed that it seemed as though once you crossed the Rappahanok (sp) River going north on 95, people started driving crazy.

Unfortunately now it's starting to get like that during the morning commute down here too, especially on 195. As long as we don't start getting back ups like N. VA, I'll be ok with it!