SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – As Suffolk students go back to school, the city of Suffolk is wrapping up its road upgrade and repair projects to make commutes for parents, students, and school buses safer this year, according to Suffolk Public Works.
Public Works crews have been busy with multiple projects over the summer, from pavement updates to intersection improvements and railroad crossing upgrades.
“Back-to-school means a significant change in traffic patterns across Suffolk, and our teams have been working throughout the summer to make sure our transportation network is ready,” said Gregg Benton, Director of Public Works, in a statement. “These improvements represent work taking place across the city – from major construction projects to paving, striping, signals and smaller safety enhancements that collectively make a real difference for the traveling public.”
A recap of the projects that have been completed or are underway for back-to-school traffic includes:
- Oakland Elementary School: New pedestrian crossing improvements are being installed to enhance safety for students and families traveling to and from school.
- Nansemond Parkway Bridge: The new bridge over Beamon’s Mill Pond along Nansemond Parkway is opening Friday, Aug. 21, a major travel corridor and an important route for back-to-school traffic. Located adjacent to Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School, the improved, wider bridge will provide safer, smoother travel.
- Carolina Road/Whaleyville Boulevard: Repaving has been completed along Carolina Road/Whaleyville Boulevard from Downtown Suffolk to Whaleyville.
- Portsmouth Boulevard: Pavement restoration is underway at the location of recent HRSD work, with additional paving also underway at the Route 58 on-ramp.
- Route 58: Public Works is coordinating with VDOT to remove the work zone near the SPSA Flyover within the next few weeks, restoring uninterrupted travel along one of Suffolk’s busiest routes.
- Holland Road: Paving near Southwestern Elementary School in the Holland area is underway and will be completed by fall.
- Shoulders Hill Road/Bridge Road: Major improvements are nearing completion, including the addition of a second left-turn lane from Bridge Road onto Shoulders Hill Road, along with additional travel and turn lanes, upgraded traffic signals, new sidewalks, and street lighting.
- Railroad Crossings: Improvements at five railroad crossings across the city are nearing completion, with all work scheduled to be complete by Aug. 21.
- Pavement Markings & Reflectors: Restriping of primary roadways continues across the city, along with the installation of reflective pavement markers to improve nighttime visibility.
Public Works will also analyze updated traffic data once school traffic resumes and make any necessary updates to signal timing for improved traffic flow…