VDOT outlines Wilson Complex improvements: new lanes, turn lanes and roundabout planned

VDOT representative Ken Slack presented detailed plans to reduce congestion at the Wilson Complex, which serves Wilson Elementary, the high school, Valley Career and Technical Center and other facilities. Slack said the project will add a second inbound lane on Woodrow Wilson Avenue, install dedicated right-turn lanes to and from Route 250 and convert the triangular intersection of Wilson Avenue, Hornet Road and Votec Road into a roundabout, with major roundabout construction slated for next summer.

"Starting, very soon, the week of August 24 is what the contractor tentatively has given us as a start date," Slack said. He described traffic-control limits during the school year (flagging only between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. when necessary) and said the roundabout work will be staged so the intersection is paved and open to traffic by the start of the 2027 school year. Slack also introduced Cody Huffman (assistant residency administrator) and Steve Reich (construction manager) as VDOT staff assigned to the project.

Board members asked about lane routing and pedestrian access. Slack said the new inbound lane will extend to the intersection with Hornet Road and Votec Road but that drivers bound for the elementary school should shift to the tighter right lane. He added the shared-use path along Route 250 will be shifted slightly west to make room for the right-turn lane and that, where necessary during roundabout work, the division will provide a temporary gravel but accessible surface to keep pedestrian connections open.

VDOT said it will coordinate outreach (flyers, a project web page accessible via a QR code and in-person appearances at back-to-school events) and that short-term flagging operations could be required during the school year.