Old Centreville Road Improvements Project Completed

The intersection of Old Centreville Road and Somersworth Drive is safer now for everyone who uses the road.

The Old Centreville Road Pedestrian and Lane Improvement Project, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, officially opened Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This project truly reflects our commitment to making Coles District roadways and pedestrian facilities safer and efficient, one project at a time through strategic investment,” said Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega. “The design and construction of this project replaced a missing section of sidewalk near Parkland Avenue. The school zone for Yorkshire Elementary School was extended to include a new crosswalk, ultimately improving access to the school. I’m really excited to officially open this area up.”

The need for the improvements came to Vega’s attention when Chris Griffin, a resident of a nearby neighborhood, voiced his concerns about the intersection’s safety.

“Because of his efforts and his advocacy for better improvement — safety improvement — in his neighborhood, in his community, we are able to be here today to officially open this area,” Vega said.

Griffin, a life-long Prince William County resident, said he wanted something done to the intersection, which he saw as dangerous. 

“There were just a lot of accidents and drivers that would go around the turn lane,” Griffin said. “There were kids on bikes trying to cross the intersection. There wasn’t any real clear direction. Now there is direction on where to go and where not to go. Everybody has their designated lanes for turning and going straight. It’s a great improvement.”

Prince William County Department of Transportation Director, Rick Canizales, said the project fit the county’s transportation goals.  

“It was a great safety project with a sidewalk attached to it,” Canizales said of the intersection with new pedestrian crosswalks and a traffic-calming concrete roadway island. “I think it’s safe to say that these small projects have a big impact, and this is one of them. It’s a small project that’s going to have some big impact for commuting traffic, as well as the community at large in the Yorkshire area.”

The Prince William County Public Works’ Construction Services Branch constructed the project, while the county’s Department of Transportation designed the project and obtained permits.

“This … shows you that different departments in the county can work together,” said Public Works Department Director, Tom Smith. “We try to collaborate together on a lot of different projects. As a walker and a cyclist ... myself, these kinds of projects are needed to …  slow people down. I hope this will, again, improve the safety for all of those in our community surrounding this area.”

Funding for this project came from the Coles District Transportation and Roadway Improvement Program (TRIP) funding. TRIP allocates money annually to each magisterial district for smaller scale district projects, such as sidewalks, trails and safety improvements.