Street Beat: Lane confusion on I-295/I-64 flyover

Q:At the new flyover area going from Interstate 295 to Interstate 64 just after the Nuckols Road on-ramp, there are signs that the two left lanes close. This causes everyone -- whether they are going to Richmond or Charlottesville -- to move into the single right lane.

Another right lane appears (which a few will use) and both right lanes go off to Charlottesville, with the original lane also continuing on as the sole lane to Richmond. It would avoid confusion and help the flow of traffic if the right lanes were dedicated to going west and the left lanes east. This way, people can get in the appropriate lanes earlier.

So many lanes, so little time and most of them unused. -- Miles F.

Answer: Oh, great. Now I have an old disco song stuck in my head.

In the 1980s, when that section of I-295 was built, there was an expectation that the highway would continue south through Henrico County, noted Dawn Eischen of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

That would explain why there are additional through lanes. The extension, however, was never made.

Traffic projections indicate that most I-295 north travelers (remember, you're actually traveling south here) use the ramp to I-64 west, Eischen said. That's why there are two exit lanes for I-64 west and one for I-64 east.

The other two "potential" lanes to the left are not needed. Drivers typically move to the right to exit, she said. That would explain why the two extra left lanes end instead of the right lanes. The current overhead signs at this interchange give drivers sufficient guidance.

Note: The two extra left lanes ended at this interchange even before the I-295 flyover project. The extra lanes and the need to merge were not a result of the flyover.

. . .

This summer, there was a "No U-turn" sign for this direction, but it was taken down. Now, the only sign for eastbound traffic is a "Left Turn" arrow with the word "Only" under the arrow.

The problem is the traffic flow in this left-turn lane. Most of the vehicles make a U-turn so that they can enter the Costco store. Because of their slow speed in making the turn, anyone making a true left must wait for a couple of light cycles to get through.

I'd like to see the "No U-turn" sign reinstalled for eastbound Broad Street traffic. -- Tommy K.

Answer: Several people have contacted VDOT about this, said Taya M. Jarman.

The sign was removed because it was placed there inadvertently, she said. "We observed the location before the eastbound 'No U-turn' sign was removed; even with the sign, the percentage of drivers making illegal U-turns was high." The traffic light is equipped with vehicle detectors. As long as vehicles are present, the light should stay green for the maximum time, Jarman said.

VDOT's research shows that the road's width is adequate to accommodate U-turns, so no changes will be made, Jarman said.

Clarification on Airport Connector construction project:

Work on the bridge is being set up now, and the bridge will go up next year. The entire project will be substantially complete by spring 2011. There will be no lane closures for the bridge construction between mile markers two and four. But there is now a shoulder closure on Pocahontas 895 throughout the project.