Traffic light improves safety at Gallerher and 55

County residents spent years telling their representatives about the dangers associated with the intersection at Gallerher Road and John Marshall Highway (Route 55) in Gainesville before VDOT installed a light there in June 2008.

In the two years since the light's installation, there have been only two crashes officially reported, according to Prince William County police. One happened in 2009 and one this year. Both involved injuries. That is down from nine in 2008 and seven in 2007.

"Oh yeah, it's definitely improved safety," said Prince William County transportation director Tom Blaser during a Monday interview.Blaser during a Monday interview. He also mentioned that the monthly electric bill for operating the light is paid for by VDOT, as opposed to the county.

A police spokesman said in 2006 that there were nine vehicle-on-vehicle crashes at the intersection that year.

Previously, commuters heading westbound at Gallerher Road would have to look over their right shoulders to check for oncoming traffic heading west from U.S. 29 while also yielding right-of-way to vehicles heading eastbound along Route 55.

During the next three to four years, construction crews are due to raise Gallerher Road and Linton Hall Road above U.S. 29 (Lee Highway) so they connect via an overpass at a cost of $267 million.

Both roads will also be raised over the railroad tracks just west of U.S. 29. This is another potential safety boon for the corridor as area commuters have reported the railroad warning arms at the tracks sometimes malfunction.

All of the improvements are set to happen at the same time the U.S. 29-Interstate 66 interchange is completed.

Once finished, commuters traveling southbound on U.S. 29 will no longer be able to connect directly to John Marshall Highway by simply turning right onto the road.

"It's going to be taken away," said Blaser.

He added that commuters will still be "able to access those properties" aligning the road, though they'll have to access an alternate route.

To get there, they will have to turn right onto Gallerher from U.S. 29 and take another right onto what Blaser referred to as the eventual "old" Route 55. VDOT has already acquired all of property along the road that are needed in order for construction to begin.

The part of John Marshall Highway closest to U.S. 29 will then be turned into a cul-de-sac with no access point reaching the main road.

VDOT spokeswoman Helen Cuervo said in 2008 that there were 37 business properties bought out of by the Virginia Department of Transportation in order to get construction of the interchange under way.