Increased traffic on Kentucky Springs Road and at the intersection of Kentucky Springs Rd. and Haley Drive/Johnson Road, in part due to the 150-acre AWS Lake Anna Technology Campus construction site has led to Dominion Energy, AWS and VDOT to examine the busy crossroad.
Currently there is a blinking red and yellow traffic light at this intersection. Traffic crossing Kentucky Springs from Haley Drive and Johnson Road must stop. Through traffic on Kentucky Springs is to observe caution.
“I have had a number of constituents call to report close calls with dump trucks and other work vehicles coming and going from this site at this intersection. I spoke to Sheriff Lowe about this and he noted a recent traffic count revealed 39,000 vehicles in one week. This road and intersection was not designed for the amount of traffic flowing through it these days, so I am encouraged Dominion, AWS and VDOT are studying it,” Cuckoo District Supervisor Christopher C. McCotter told Life & Times.
An AWS spokesperson told Life & Times Dominion had commissioned a traffic study by the Timmons Group and their analysis is being sent to VDOT to review and determine if a temporary traffic light would be warranted at the intersection. AWS has offered to share the cost with Dominion should the need for the light arise.
AWS also installed a temporary traffic light, known as a maintenance of traffic construction crossing on Haley Drive to ensure workers and other foot traffic can safely go to and depart from the project site.
“A construction crossing has been installed on Haley Drive to improve foot traffic safety for workers on the tech campus project. We’re also closely coordinating with nearby stakeholders, including Dominion Energy, on further improvements that are being considered to improve traffic safety,” noted Amazon spokesman Duncan Neasham.
Wide loads have also been the bane of locals and other travelling on Kentucky Springs Road, at times snarling traffic for hours when transport vehicles experienced maintenance issues.
Amazon told Life & Times they are “working closely with VDOT and local partners to schedule and manage future equipment deliveries, all of which will follow permitted routes and safety requirements.”
Amazon did issue a statement after traffic was held up for hours on October 14 due to just such a maintenance issue on a wide load transport vehicle.
““As you know, [October 14], a truck transporting equipment to the Lake Anna Technology Campus experienced a mechanical failure near the Route 522 traffic circle. While these situations are rare and unforeseen, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and impact this incident caused to the local community as crews worked to clear the scene.
“The transport was operating under a VDOT permit and accompanied by State Police escorts on the prescribed and permitted route. The equipment was safely removed and delivered later that evening. We’re reviewing the incident with our partners to apply any learnings that can help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We’re grateful to Louisa County Police, VDOT, and the first responders who quickly arrived to assist. We worked closely with them to ensure the situation was handled safely and efficiently, with the public’s safety as our top priority.”
