Proposed: U.S. 17 at Route 663, Intersection Improvements, Fauquier County

This estimated $10 million SMART SCALE project will replace the existing stop sign-controlled intersection at U.S. 17 (Marsh Road) and Route 663 (Covingtons Corner Road/Balls Mill Road) in Fauquier County with a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection.

In this innovative intersection design, all side street movements begin with a right turn, and left turns are prohibited. Two new U-turn movements will be created on northbound and southbound U.S. 17 to replace the displaced movements from installing the RCUT at the Route 663 intersection. The U-turn locations are approximately 0.17 mile north and south of the intersection, giving drivers sufficient space and time to merge into the left lane.

With this project, left-turn lanes will be constructed on U.S. 17 and roadway shoulders will be widened to accommodate the new U-turn movements. The right-turn deceleration lanes on U.S. 17 north/south at the intersection will be lengthened and a storm water management pond will also be constructed.

New signs and pavement markings will be installed to align with the new traffic pattern.

This project also involves a change in limited access on U.S. 17.

More information

• What is an RCUT?
• Download VDOT's innovative intersections brochure
• FHWA's studies and information about RCUTs
• SMART Scale Application

Benefits 

This proposed project will improve safety at the intersection by reducing the number and severity of vehicle-to-vehicle conflict points.

RCUT intersections provide several benefits to motorists, including:

• Improved safety: Reduces the number of points where vehicles cross paths and eliminates the potential for head-on crashes.
• Increased efficiency: Each direction of the major street can operate independently, creating two one-way streets and increasing the overall intersection capacity.
• Shorter wait times: Fewer traffic signal phases means less stopping for arterial vehicles and allowing only right turns from side street vehicles means less waiting.
• Cost-effective: An RCUT can be more cost effective than adding lanes to improve capacity.

Major Milestones 

• Preliminary design work begins: Late 2022
• Public hearing: Nov. 14, 2023 (Inclement weather date: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023)
• Public comment period ends: Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 
• Construction advertisement: Anticipated Fall 2025

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