The West Virginia Department of Highways made several adjustments to traffic signal timing along the detour through Virginia during the first week of the Route 340 project. Still, commuters posting in a newly-formed social media group continue to report significant delays in traveling through the intersection of Route 9 and Harpers Ferry Road in Loudoun County. Many commuters report better success with using Routes 340 and Routes 7 to travel to and from Northern Virginia. The highway departments in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland have also added signage to encourage truck traffic to stay on the Interstate highways.
Some of the evening commuters that would normally drive south across the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry have shifted to cross the bridge at Shepherdstown, resulting in 20 to 30 minute backups from the stop signs at the intersection of Routes 230, 45, and 480 (image above).
Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Hansen reports that his deputies have been stationed at several intersections in Bolivar and Harpers Ferry during rush hour to enforce turn restrictions. So far he’s not seen significant issues on the West Virginia side. Jefferson County Emergency Services Director Mike Sine has been monitoring the situation closely and reports that so far he’s not seen any response delays affecting the communities in Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, or on the mountain.
[Read more about the Route 340 Project & detour routes.]
