Commissioners press for safety fixes at Route 249 interchange; Marketplace Route 60 signal nearing activation

Commissioners at the Nov. 18 meeting pressed county staff to address safety and speeding at the Quentin exit on Route 249 and received an update that a new signal on Route 60 near the Marketplace will be activated shortly.

Miss Townsend described a recent crash at the Quentin/249 area and urged immediate steps: “I would like to suggest that either we start putting some rumble strips up or possibly go in and do what they did at Rosie's in front of, brick going into Brickshire with a temporary roundabout thing,” she said, noting heavy turning conflicts for drivers exiting banks and grocery stores when the light is red.

Commissioners discussed the posted speed (noting the area is still 45 mph) and nearby land uses including day‑care centers and businesses that increase pedestrian and turning conflicts. The chair asked staff to consult the county transportation expert for traffic analysis and possible short‑term measures while funding for a longer‑term roundabout is pursued.

Mister Moyer updated the commission on Route 60: “Good news is the, Marketplace Route 60 light is ready to go. What we need, Mister LaRochelle, is Dominion to turn on those electricity,” he said, adding the signal will flash several days before full operation. He also said VDOT has completed construction work and that long‑term options such as a roundabout are under design with Timmons and will require financing discussions that could include revenue sharing with VDOT and Central Virginia Transportation Authority funds.

The commission did not take a formal vote on traffic projects at the meeting but directed staff to follow up with the transportation expert and to relay safety concerns to the Board of Supervisors for consideration of funding and timing.