Suffolk residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on a proposed $28.5 million project to improve the intersection of Bridge and Shoulders Hill roads during a Feb. 12 community meeting at Creekside Elementary School.

• According to acting director of public works L.J. Hansen, the improvements include:
• Expanding existing travel lanes on Bridge Road from two to three lanes, which will revert back to two lanes at both ends of the project.
• Adding an additional turn lane to the two left-turn lanes from westbound Bridge Road to southbound Shoulders Hill Road.
• Expanding southbound Shoulders Hill Road from one to two through lanes, with a right turn into the existing shopping center.
• Adding a through lane on northbound Shoulders Hill Road to Knotts Neck Road, along with a dedicated right “slip-lane,” which does not require a stop to go onto eastbound Bridge Road.

Hansen said the intersection needs improvements due to the increasing traffic there.

“While most notable in the peak morning and evening commute hours, this intersection sees a constant flow of traffic throughout the day with significant congestion appearing those peak hours,” Hansen said.

In particular, Hansen said traffic flows clog from northbound Shoulders Hill Road to eastbound Bridge Road in the morning, and westbound Bridge Road to southbound Shoulders Hill Road in the evening.

The design phase is expected to be complete by this summer, Hansen said.

Once the project’s design is settled, Hansen said, the city will begin the process of acquiring the right-of-way and easements needed to make the improvements, and then begin utility relocations to make room for the construction. That process, Hansen said, will go into late 2021 before the city is expected to receive the needed money to begin construction in early 2022.

The money for the project is coming from a combination of local, state and federal funds.

Residents can comment about the project at the meeting, or submit comments in writing to project manager Mark Velasquez. Residents can also call 514-7626 for more information.

A community meeting on the proposed intersection improvements at Bridge and Shoulders Hill roads will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Creekside Elementary School, 1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road. More information on the project can be found on the Suffolk city website at www.suffolkva.us/698/Shoulders-Hill-Road-Route-17-Bridge-Road.