Thursday, May 14WATCHFUL EYE

Tag: Virginia traffic news

Dragon Run Bridge Replacement at Gloucester-Middlesex Line Set to Begin
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Traffic

Dragon Run Bridge Replacement at Gloucester-Middlesex Line Set to Begin

Drivers on Route 17 at the Gloucester–Middlesex county line should prepare for long‑term lane closures and delays as VDOT and its contractor begin mobilizing on Monday, May 18, for the long‑awaited northbound bridge replacement over Dragon Run. The right lane on the northbound side has been closed since December 2025 due to damage from one of several crashes into the structure. The upcoming $14.6 million project will replace the aging 1931 bridge with a structure that is wider, taller, and longer to meet modern standards. What to Expect Starting May 18 Route 17 northbound will remain reduced to a single lane at the Dragon Run bridge. Crews will begin building traffic crossovers for a major diversion planned in summer 2026. Work zone barriers will continue separating the ...
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VSP Launching 2-Day Operation on I-95
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VSP Launching 2-Day Operation on I-95

Multiple divisions of Virginia State Police will coordinate to launch a major two‑day crackdown across all 179 miles of I‑95 in Virginia on May 18–19. Called Operation DISS‑rupt, the enforcement effort will target the four leading causes of deadly interstate crashes: distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and seat belt violations. Sense Energy Monitor | Track Electricity Usage in Real Time & Save What’s Driving the Operation VSP reports that preliminary statewide crash data shows 194 traffic fatalities between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2026—down from 235 deaths during the same period in 2025, but still a significant public‑safety concern heading into summer. “As we start the summer travel season, we want to make sure the roads are as safe as possible,” said Captain Ted...
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Contract Awarded for First Phase of I-81 Widening Project
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Contract Awarded for First Phase of I-81 Widening Project

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has awarded a $237 million contract to Triton Construction to begin the first phase of the I‑81 widening project.The decision came during the Board’s April 22 meeting in Fredericksburg. The awarded segment—known as Segment N—covers 3.2 miles between mile marker 133.8 and exit 137 in Roanoke County and Salem. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. An Added Eye When You Drive & Park : REDTIGER Dash Cam This phase is part of a larger improvement project along nine miles of I‑81 that will widen the interstate from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. Ken King, district engineer for VDOT’s Salem District, said, “Widening this section is a major step forward for the Roanoke-Blacksburg region.” “We are excited to begin th...
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1 Killed in Rt. 301 Crash in Caroline
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1 Killed in Rt. 301 Crash in Caroline

Virginia State Police say a fatal head-on crash caused the hours-long closure of Route 301 northbound in Caroline County on Wednesday. Troopers responded at 3:07 p.m. April 8 to the crash at the 118-mile marker, just north of the Town of Bowling Green. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2008 Mazda MZ3 traveling south in the northbound lanes struck a 1990 GMC Sierra pickup truck head-on. The Mazda driver, identified as 44-year-old Kristen Lindsay Raso of Hanover, died at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck suffered serious injuries and was flown by MedFlight to VCU Medical Center. Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock | Adjustable | Highly Visible The crash prompted officials to shut down northbound Route 301 for several hours, with traffic diverted near the gate of F...
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Driver in Overboard Crash on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Identified
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Driver in Overboard Crash on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Identified

The driver killed in the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) accident involving a tractor-trailer running overboard has been identified as Ronnie Andrews, age 61, of Robersonville, NC. Andrews’ body and the vehicle, which was owned by Perdue Farms, were recovered from the water Sunday night by Crofton Diving of Portsmouth. Charge All Your Devices at Once: 5-in-1 Fast Charging Stationw/ Wireless Charging The cause has not yet been determined. But CBBT authorities said weather was not a factor in the accident, as there was no rain, mild winds around 15 mph, and fair visibility. Due to guardrail and curb damage, there is a lane closure in the southbound direction near the scene of the accident that is expected to remain in place for several days until repairs are completed. In ...
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Homeless Man Arrested for 13 Valentine’s Day Hit & Runs
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Crime, News

Homeless Man Arrested for 13 Valentine’s Day Hit & Runs

A Florida man suspected in a string of Valentine’s Day hit‑and‑run crashes is being held without bond. Between approximately 6:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. Saturday, Virginia State Police reported responding to 13 hit‑and‑run crashes along Interstate 95, stretching from the Petersburg area to Spotsylvania County. Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock Adjustable | Highly Visible Troopers later located and stopped the suspected vehicle — a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck — on I‑95. The driver, 34‑year‑old Garrett Ryan Sulli, was taken into custody without incident. VSP lists Sulli as a homeless Florida resident. The Henrico Police Department handled four of the crash scenes. VSP is still gathering all crash reports to determine the total number of injuries and the extent of vehicle damage...
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Arrest Made for Hit-and-Run that Killed 20-year-old Spotsylvania Man
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Crime, News

Arrest Made for Hit-and-Run that Killed 20-year-old Spotsylvania Man

An arrest has been made in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Spotsylvania that claimed the life of a 20-year-old man on January 9. According to Lt. Colonel Delbert Myrick, preliminary findings show that around 10 p.m. that Friday night, Sameer Anwar was riding an e-bike equipped with lights eastbound on Courthouse Road when he was struck from behind by a burgundy GMC SUV. (AD) The SUV fled the scene, and Anwar hit by a second vehicle, whose driver remained on site until Spotsylvania police and fire and rescue crews arrived. Deputies found Anwar lying in the roadway, where he was pronounced dead. Myrick reported that, in addition to the work of the Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit, several witnesses stayed at the scene and provided crucial evidence. Based on w...
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Longer delays for Coleman Bridge openings, warns VDOT
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News, Traffic

Longer delays for Coleman Bridge openings, warns VDOT

VDOT has warned drivers and boaters to expect extended delays when there are Coleman bridge openings. Due to mechanical issues, crews now have to manually open the bridge, which requires additional procedures and manpower. According the VDOT, the extra steps add 25–40 minutes to the process, resulting in total opening times of approximately 45–60 minutes. Charge All Your Devices at Once | 5-in-1 Fast Charging Station |Wireless Charging Despite the mechanical problems and extended delays, bridge openings must continue in order to comply with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. While vessels are not typically required to give advance notice, VDOT has requested a two-hour heads-up due to the need for additional staffing and coordination. This is a change USCG has discretion ov...
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Charges Pending for Fiery McLaren Crash in Northern Virginia
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Charges Pending for Fiery McLaren Crash in Northern Virginia

Virginia State Police have identified and charged the driver involved in a high-speed crash that left three people seriously injured and a vehicle engulfed in flames late Saturday night in Northern Virginia. The incident occurred around 10:52 p.m. on September 28. Troopers received reports of multiple vehicles driving recklessly on Interstate 495 south near Braddock Road. Charge All Your Devices at Once: 5-in-1 Fast Charging Station w/ Wireless Charging As troopers responded, a 2020 McLaren 720S—part of the group allegedly driving erratically—sideswiped a 2000 Honda Pilot, causing the SUV to overturn several times. The driver of the Honda Pilot, Rosa M. Rivera Orellana, 37, of Fairfax, was wearing a seat belt but still sustained serious injuries, VSP reported. She was transport...
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