I-66/Route 29/Linton Hall Rd Interchange

Below is information from the VDOT Project Website. As one of the many sitting in traffic, I find this to be (1) on the technical side - pretty neat and (2) on the commuter side - long overdue and way too long to wait [2010]
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What's being done

Route 29/Linton Hall Interchange Improvement Project is one of the largest construction projects in Virginia. The current total estimated project cost is approximately $181.4M.

The purpose of the Phase IV - I-66/Route 29/Linton Hall Road Interchange project is to construct a grade separated interchange at the existing Route 29/Linton Hall Road intersection, creating a fully limited access facility on Route 29 between Virginia Oaks Drive and Heatcote Boulevard. The interchange will be a single point urban diamond interchange (SPUI), with a braided ramp configuration along southbound Route 29 between I-66, Linton Hall Road and Gallerher Road.

The interchange will include 4 bridges:B632 - Route 29 and Ramp K over Norfolk Southern Railroad

B633 - Linton Hall Road over Route 29

B634 - Route 55 over Norfolk Southern Railroad, and

B635 - Ramp G over Ramp K.

Also associated with this project are the removal of at-grade railroad crossings (Norfolk Southern Railroad at Gallerher Road, Route 29 northbound and southbound) and two traffic signals along Route 29. Following completion, Route 29 will be a 6-lane divided facility between I-66 and Virginia Oaks Drive and will operate without signals or obstructions within this same area.

Phase IV Plan Roll in PDF Format

Features

Proposed Construction Phasing - Maintenance of Traffic

There are three main phases of construction - Phase 1 is broken into two parts that can be completed mostly at the same time.

Below is the preliminary breakdown of various construction phases with a rough estimated construction cost at this time:

Phase 1A - Detour Construction - $10 million - includes Route 29 & Linton Hall detour construction and temporary railroad signal crossings. Estimate construction time for this phase is 6 months.

Phase 1B - Interchange Construction - $50 million - includes Linton Hall Road bridges over 29 and NS Railroad NB 29 Bridge over NS Railroad ultimate grades of NB 29 and portions of interchange ramps, and access roads. Estimate construction time for this phase is 24 months.

Phase 2 - Interchange Construction - $30 million - includes SB 29 bridge over NS Railroad Ramp G bridge over Ramp K ultimate SB 29 grading and portions of braided ramps. Estimate construction time for this phase is 12 months.

Phase 3 - Interchange Construction - $5 million - includes final portions of Ramps I and J and minor detours to facilitate final construction. Estimated construction time for this phase is 6 months.

Estimated Total Construction Time: 4 Years

What's being done

Summary of other I-66 Projects

Phase I (UPC 63724) - University Boulevard - new alignment Construct a four-lane divided roadway with a bridge over I-66 from Wellington Road to Rte 29.
Status: Construction completed and opened to traffic on August 06.

Phase II (UPC 69113) - I-66 HOV widening from Rte 234 Business to the Rte 234 Bypass. Add one HOV and one SOV lane to EB and WB converting the existing four lane divided interstate to eight lanes divided.
Status: Construction completed and opened to traffic in November 2006.

Phase III (UPC 70043) - I-66 HOV widening from Rte Bypass to Rte 29. Add one HOV and one SOV lane to EB and WB converting the existing four lane divided interstate to eight lanes divided.
Status: Construction started on December 2006 with a completion date of August 2010.

Traffic Data

Based on traffic counts, Route 29 carried 46000 vehicles per day (ADT - average daily traffic) in 2005, and is anticipated to increase to 63,000 ADT by 2035. Linton Hall Road's count in 1998 was at 9000 ADT, and by 2005 that number had increased to 15,500 ADT. By 2035 it is anticipated to grow to 42,000 ADT on Linton Hall Road.

Meet Your Refinance Savior

In a market when appraisal values make it hard to refinance, one option is still available.

FHA Streamline Refinance

Normally to refinance, you must qualify by providing all of your income, banking, credit, and liability information as well as an appraisal. With a FHA streamline refinance a property appraisal is not required. However, the new loan amount cannot exceed the original loan amount. The FHA streamline mortgage programs are great if you like little paperwork and no hassles.

FHA Streamline finances can also be used to shorten a 30 Year Loan to a 15 year as well as to take one out of an FHA adjustable rate mortgage. The main qualification standard is a timely mortgage payment history.

The basic requirements of an FHA streamline refinance are that your present mortgage must already be FHA insured, your mortgage should be current (you can now finance the payment due for the first of the month you close), the loan should result in a lowering of your principal and interest payments, and no cash may be taken out.

FHA Streamline refinances generally do not require an additional appraisal to complete, which alone saves the borrower hundreds of dollars in fees and potentially thousands of dollars in interest due to the faster close, and the fact that you don't have to finance the cost of an appraisal over 30 years.

FHA Streamline Refinance is a mortgage that can reduce one's rate. It can reduce the amount of documentation and the need for an appraisal and credit check to speed the processing of the loan.

Manassas - 2007 Market Trend Analysis

Residential Homes trended DOWN by 4.5% during 2007


Average Original List Price: $347,754
Average Sales Price: $316,726 (91.1% of Original Price)
Average Days on Market: 128
Average Homes Sold per Month: 95
Total Sold in 2007: 1135

Currently Active Listings:
Average List Price: $292,775
Average Days on Market: 132
Total Listed: 1537

As we enter the new year, it is important to know the path the market is currently on. Sellers need to lead the market not follow. Continually lagging behind the trend will lead to higher days on the market and lower "walkaway" sales prices.

Haymarket - 2007 Market Trend Analysis

Residential Homes trended DOWN by 9.1% during 2007



Average Original List Price: $590,499
Average Sales Price: $549,690 (93.1% of Original Price)
Average Days on Market: 133
Average Homes Sold per Month: 27
Total Sold in 2007: 320

Currently Active Listings:
Average List Price: $608,055
Average Days on Market: 254
Total Listed: 290

As we enter the new year, it is important to know the path the market is currently on. Sellers need to lead the market not follow. Continually lagging behind the trend will lead to higher days on the market and lower "walkaway" sales prices.

Gainesville - 2007 Market Trend Analysis

Residential Homes trended DOWN by 10.4% during 2007

Average Original List Price: $483,484
Average Sales Price: $449,521 (93.0% of Original Price)
Average Days on Market: 118
Average Homes Sold per Month: 42
Total Sold in 2007: 502

Currently Active Listings:
Average List Price: $476,627
Average Days on Market: 154
Total Listed: 389

As we enter the new year, it is important to know the path the market is currently on. Sellers need to lead the market not follow. Continually lagging behind the trend will lead to higher days on the market and lower "walkaway" sales prices.

FHA 203K Streamline - Rehab Loan

You can borrow up to 110% of the sales price from $5,000 up to $35,000 extra to rehab your home.

Need 1 bid for work to be completed from a licensed contractor.

We do one appraisal with 2 values - as is and subject to completion. Completed value must be supported.

Two draws - 1. at closing for materials - cannot exceed 50% of the estimated cost
2. Labor when done

6 months to complete the work

Borrower needs 3% of sales price - can use Nehemiah grant program.

Rate is about .25% higher when doing 203K

Work to be performed must not cause the mortgagor to be displaced from the property for more than 30 days during the time of the rehabilitation work is being conducted.

Cannot increase living space like finishing basement or putting on an addition.

The following repairs can be financed with this program::

• Repair/Replacement of roofs, gutters and downspouts
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of existing HVAC systems
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems
  Repair/Replacement of existing flooring
• Minor remodeling, such as kitchens, which does not involve structural repairs
• Exterior and interior painting
• Weatherization: including storm windows and doors, insulation weather stripping, etc.
• Purchase and installation of appliances, including free-standing ranges, refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers and microwaves.
• Improvements for accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• Lead based paint stabilization or abatement of lead based paint hazards.
• Repair, replacement or the addition of exterior decks, patios and porches.
• Basement remodeling which does not involve sculptural repairs.
• Basement waterproofing.
• Window and door replacement and exterior siding replacement.
• Well or septic system repair or replacement

Just some usefully information from your friendly neighborhood Realtor

2007 Top Ten List

According to the Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger the top 10 news stories of 2007 for Prince William County were:

1. Illegal Immigration Debate
2. Transportation Issues
3. Three People Killed (Triple Homicide)
4. The War
5. County Continues to Grow
6. The Crash of the Real Estate Market
7. Virginia Tech Shootings
8. Antibiotic-Resistant Staph Infections
9. Political Arena Faces Shake-up
10. Residents' Unusual Stories
    

Personnally, I think the market should be ranked higher. It's ecomonic impact will be felt in 2008. Good luck to all in 2008.