Big trucks, orange cones, and utter confusion. Ah construction. The unfinished Rolling Road alterations and Fairfax County Parkway extension are making it hard for students to get around.
What used to be a small, two lane road bordered by trees on either side, has been transformed into something resembling a highway.
“It’s really unlike any other part of the parkway and the first few times was really confusing,” said senior Vicki Knabe. “It is not that well marked and was kind of scary”.
The number of cones, unusable lanes, and confusing detour signs are overwhelming, especially to new and inexperienced drivers. It’s hard to tell where the parkway ends and Rolling starts and what part of the road is blocked, or even when some guy wearing a helmet will randomly appear.
“The first time I drove on it, I just kept seeing all these cones flying at me, it was terrifying,” said junior Haley Spicer.
The new construction makes it slow work getting to school for students who live in that area. The traffic increase and insufficient open lanes all add minutes on to the school day commute.
“I have had to leave almost ten minutes earlier than I used to,” said senior Eileen Hager. “And I have to sprint out of school as soon as the bell rings and leave right away so that I can make it to work on time.”
The construction also comes up very suddenly with little warning to the obstructions ahead. The lack of warning makes the already confusing and distracting construction even more potentially dangerous to drivers.
“It came out of nowhere. All of sudden I was driving on the new part of the parkway with no idea how I got there and no idea how to get back,” said Knabe.
The new extension has also caused increased traffic on the old parts of the parkway making driving on it from 4 PM to about 6:30 difficult and slow going.
What was supposed to decrease traffic and cut time off has done the exact opposite. As time progresses, hopefully there will be a change in the negative effects this has brought.
“Maybe once it’s all done everything will go more smoothly, but right now it’s just horrible and confusing,” said Spicer.
