North Winchester Area Plan

Study Overview

Route 11 North, Martinsburg Pike, has in recent years experienced a high incidence of vehicle crashes and daily traffic delays.  Linking I-81 with nearby industrial parks, this road serves a large volume of trucks.  The configurations of intersections, the surrounding network of streets and roads, and the I-81 interchange each contribute to the safety and congestion problems.  In 2016 the WinFred MPO initiated a study to identify cost-effective solutions.  Identified solutions for which construction funding is requested include:

• A roundabout intersection at Route 11 and Old Charles Town Road
• Relocation of the northbound I-81 Exit 317 off-ramp to the current Redbud Road alignment and intersection with Route 11
• Reconfiguration of Route 11 to a “diverging diamond” interchange with I-81, allowing left turns from Route 11 onto I-81 without crossing opposing traffic
• Extensions of the northbound turn lane approaches on Welltown Road and Amoco Lane
• A slip ramp from northbound to southbound Route 11 (u-turn) and southbound Route 37 just south of the Crown Road/Pactiv Way intersection.

Benefits of Study Recommendations

• Reduced traffic delay, improved traffic flow, from northbound Route 11 to northbound I-81
• Easier exit from Old Charles Town Road to southbound Route 11 via roundabout intersection
• Reduced delay at Route 11 signalized intersections with Crown Lane/Pactiv Way and Welltown Road/Amoco Lane
• Improved safety; fewer crashes

Study Timeline

• Project initiated in MPO’s Unified Planning Work Program, April 2015
• Request for Proposals issued November 2, 2015
• Project scoping meeting, February 5, 2016
• Contract for North Winchester Interchange Alternatives Analysis Report signed June 6, 2016
• Project re-scoped to assume preservation of existing bridges, rather than replacement. Notice to Proceed issued for North Winchester Area Study Phase I (Redbud Road to Old Charles Town Road) on May 8, 2018
• Phase II (Redbud Road to Crown Lane/Pactiv Way) contract executed on February 12, 2019
• SMART SCALE pre-applications for diverging diamond interchange, roundabout and intersection improvements submitted April 17, 2020
• Phase III (supporting documentation for interchange modification) contract executed on May 1, 2020
• Phase III completed August 2020