Speed Limit Reduced on Route 17

The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph on northbound Route 17 between Celebrate Virginia Parkway and Stafford Lakes Parkway in Stafford County, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reported.

Widening of this section of Route 17 began in June.  The $48.9 million project will expand the road from four to six lanes.

"At this time, the speed limit is being lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph only in the northbound lanes of the project where construction is beginning," VDOT said. "As construction advances and work gets underway on southbound Route 17, the 35 mph work zone speed limit will be in effect in both directions of the project corridor."

Message boards will be posted for motorists approaching the work zone, encouraging them to reduce speed ahead. Orange signs will also be posted in advance of the new speed limit signs as a visual alert.

The Route 17 Widening Project is expected to be completed by December 1, 2016.

Real-time listings of travel times, work zones, and traffic incidents in Virginia are available on VDOT’s 24-hour traffic information website, www.511Virginia.org. Motorists can also access 511Virginia by calling 511 from any telephone in Virginia. 

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