Under Construction: Rockingham County – Route 682 (Friedens Church Road) – Intersection Improvement

This project will realign the intersection of Route 682 (Friedens Church Road) and Route 988 (Scholars Road) in Rockingham County. This project is next to the historic Friedens United Church of Christ, founded in 1762. A cemetery with a rock wall next to the road is located on church property.

Currently drivers must make a 90 degree turn at this intersection, which is next to the rock wall.  The wall receives numerous impacts of varying degrees from vehicles.

Improvements include expanding the roadway curve by moving Route 682 away from the rock wall and creating a T-intersection with Route 682 and Route 988.

The curve radius on Route 682 will be moved to the northwest and northeast on new alignment. Four-foot wide shoulders will be provide throughout the project.  Drainage will also be improved.

Smart Scale funding of $1,116,434 was awarded to this project in 2017.

In 2017 Route 682 had an average daily traffic count of 2100 vehicles per day.  By the design year of 2042 the estimated average daily traffic volume is 2500 vehicles per day. 

Benefits 

The purpose of the project is to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability of the regional network by eliminating the hazard created by the sharp turn and the rock wall located close to the road.

Major Milestones 

Project plan approval Spring 2019

Right of Way  Fall 2020

Construction advertisement  Early 2023