HR-23-09: Route 17 - York County
From Denbigh Boulevard to Cook Road
Project Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the operational and safety issues identified along Route 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway) between Denbigh Boulevard and Cook Road, with a focus on providing enhanced pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access as well as preserving vehicular capacity, transportation demand management, and safety improvements. Over 600 crashes were reported within the study corridor between 2015 and 2022. About one-third of the crashes resulted in injury and 13% involved speeding. The objective of this study is to identify cost-effective preferred improvement alternatives that address the identified needs.
Study Partners
- York County
- Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
- Kimley-Horn
- EPR
Key Points of Contact
District Lead: Jerry Pauley
Lead Consultant: Rob Prunty/Andy Nagle/Bill Wuensch
Schedule
PHASE | DATES | TASKS |
---|---|---|
Phase 1 | May - August 2023 | Diagnose Problems/Conduct Initial Public Outreach/Brainstorm Alternatives |
Phase 2 | September 2023 - April 2024 | Evaluate Preliminary Alternatives/Conduct Public Outreach and Obtain Feedback/Select Preferred Alternatives |
Phase 3 | May - August 2024 | Conduct Risk Assessment/Develop and Refine Preferred Alternatives/Prepare Cost Estimate and Investment Strategy |
Study Documents
HR-23-09 Phase 1 Executive Summary - PDF, 1.2MB
The Phase 1 survey regarding potential transportation safety, operations, transportation demand management, and bicycle/pedestrian/transit access improvements along Route 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway) between Denbigh Boulevard and Cook Road, in York County is complete.
Dates | Number of Participants (unique individuals) |
---|---|
September 6-20, 2023 | 602 |
The following needs have been identified for this study. Do you agree with this initial assessment? | |
---|---|
Safety Improvements | 71% |
Preservation of Vehicular Capacity | 66% |
Operational Improvements | 65% |
Transportation Demand Management | 52% |
Bicycle Access | 46% |
Pedestrian Access | 44% |
Enhanced Transit Access | 31% |
What mode(s) of travel do you use when traveling along the study area? | |
---|---|
Personal Vehicle | 99% |
Cycling | 10% |
Walking | 7% |
Truck or Commercial Vehicle | 3% |
Taxi / Uber / Lyft | 2% |
Carpool / Vanpool | 2% |
Other | 1% |
Metro Bus, Local Bus, or Commuter Bus | 0% |
HR-23-09 Phase 2 Executive Summary - PDF, 1.3MB
The Phase 2 survey regarding potential improvements along Route 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway) between Cook Road and Denbigh Boulevard, in York County is complete.
Dates | Number of Participants (unique individuals) |
---|---|
March 8-22, 2024
|
1,521 |
Speed Limit
- Reduce the posted speed limit on Route 17 from 50 mph to 45 mph from Cook Road to Denbigh Boulevard
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept of reducing the posted speed limit on Route 17 from 50 mph to 45 mph from Cook Road to Denbigh Boulevard on a scale of 1 to 5 | 43% | 17% | 14% | 12% | 15% |
Route 17 & Cook Rd/York Warwick Dr
There are several different concepts for improving the intersection of Route 17 and Cook Road/York Warwick Drive.
Concept 1: New Left Turn Lane at Cook Road
- Retain a conventional intersection layout with no proposed turn restrictions
- Add a left turn lane at Cook Road
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
8% | 7% | 30% | 27% | 28% |
Concept 2: Thru-Cut Intersection
- Change the intersection to a "thru-cut" where side-street traffic can turn left or right onto Route 17, but cannot go straight through
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
34% | 22% | 20% | 14% | 10% |
Concept 3: Partial Median U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "partial median U-turn" where left turns from Route 17 are re-routed through the intersection and make a U-turn at the next median opening
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
37%
|
16% | 19% | 15% | 13% |
Concept 4: Restricted Crossing U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "restricted crossing U-turn" where all traffic on side-streets must turn right
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
51%
|
18% | 17% | 9% | 5% |
Median Openings for U-turns
Three of the four potential concepts at this intersection involve new or enhanced median openings for U-turns.
- New median opening 100 feet north of Yorktown Motor Lodge designed for U-turns
- New median opening at Harrod Ln/Cockletown Rd designed for U-turns
Route 17 & Clairmont Way/Battle Rd
There are several different concepts for improving the intersection of Route 17 and Battle Road/Clairmont Way.
Concept 1: New Left Turn Lane at Battle Road
- Retains a conventional intersection layout with no proposed turn restrictions
- Add a left turn lane at Battle Road
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
5%
|
8%
|
33%
|
25%
|
29%
|
Concept 2: Thru-Cut Intersection
- Change the intersection to a "thru-cut" where side-street traffic can turn left or right onto Route 17, but cannot go straight through
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5 |
31%
|
18%
|
29%
|
15%
|
7%
|
Concept 3: Full Median U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "full median U-turn" where all left turns are prohibited
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
49%
|
18%
|
19%
|
9%
|
5%
|
Concept 4: Partial Median U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "partial median U-turn" where left turns from Route 17 are re-routed through the intersection and make a U-turn at the next median opening
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5 |
40%
|
19%
|
24%
|
11%
|
6%
|
Concept 5: Restricted Crossing U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "restricted crossing U-turn" where all traffic on side-streets must turn right
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5 |
50%
|
16%
|
18%
|
10%
|
6%
|
Median Openings for U-turns
Four of the five potential concepts at this intersection involve new or enhanced median openings for U-turns.
- New median opening just south of Cockletown Rd design for U-turns
- New 100 feet north of Market Street designed for U-turns
Route 17 & Fort Eustis Blvd
There are several different concepts for improving the intersection of Route 17 and Fort Eustis Boulevard.
Concept 1: Restripe Lanes
- Change the lanes on Fort Eustis Boulevard at the intersection (it does not include adding any new lanes or widening the road)
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
9%
|
8%
|
25%
|
30%
|
28%
|
Concept 2: Eastbound Approach Widening
- Widen Fort Eustis Boulevard west of Route 17 to provide two left turn lanes, two through lanes, and one right turn lane on the eastbound approach
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
14%
|
13%
|
25%
|
28%
|
19%
|
Concept 3: Partial Displaced Left Turn
- Change the intersection to a "partial displaced left turn" intersection where vehicles turning left from Route 17 cross over the opposing through traffic before the intersection
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
36%
|
13%
|
20%
|
17%
|
13%
|
Route 17 & Old York-Hampton Hwy/Faulkner Rd
There are several different concepts for improving the intersection of Route 17 and Old York-Hampton Highway/Faulkner Road.
Concept 1: New Faulkner Road Alignment
- Construct a new roadway to realign Faulkner Road directly across from Old York-Hampton Highway
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
11%
|
6%
|
39%
|
22%
|
22%
|
Concept 2: Continuous Green-T
- Change the intersection to a "continuous green-T" intersection, where southbound traffic on Route 17 can pass through the intersection without stopping and northbound traffic on Route 17 is controlled by a traffic signal
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
21%
|
15%
|
31%
|
21%
|
12%
|
Concept 3: Partial Median U-Turn
- Change the intersection to a "partial median U-turn" where left turns from Route 17 are re-routed through the intersection and make a U-turn at the next median opening
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
30%
|
19%
|
27%
|
14%
|
10%
|
Concept 4: Thru-Cut
- Change the intersection to a "thru-cut" where side-street traffic can turn left or right onto Route 17, but cannot go straight through
1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5
|
30%
|
21%
|
29%
|
13%
|
7%
|
Median Openings for U-turns
Three of the four potential concepts at this intersection involve new or enhanced median openings for U-turns.
- New median opening designed for U-turns
- New turn lane at existing median opening at Terrebonne Road for U-turns
HR-23-09 Final Report - PDF, 22MB
Last updated: February 20, 2025