Traffic Pattern Changes to Begin at Route 13 and Daugherty Road as Intersection Safety Improvements Advance
ACCOMACK COUNTY — As early as Monday, Oct. 26, contractor crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are scheduled to close the existing median opening at Route 13 (Lankford Highway) and Daugherty Road (Route 648) in Accomack County as construction progresses on the intersection improvements project designed to improve safety and operations.
The project is converting the intersection into a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). The design replaces direct crossings and left turns from Daugherty Road with right turns followed by U-turns at designated locations on Route 13. The completed intersection will also include new left-turn lanes from northbound and southbound Route 13 onto Daugherty Road.
During this median closure, motorists can expect the following traffic changes:
From Daugherty Road: Motorists intending to turn left onto Route 13 or continue along Daugherty Road on the opposite side of Route 13 will instead turn right and follow signs to a newly constructed U-turn lane at a median opening farther along the corridor. After completing the U-turn, motorists will continue on Route 13 or return to the intersection and turn right onto Daugherty Road. The median closure and new traffic movements will be permanent for motorists on Daugherty Road.
From Route 13: Motorists intending to turn left onto Daugherty Road will temporarily follow a signed detour using the designated U-turn locations, then return to the intersection to turn right onto Daugherty Road. Direct left turns from Route 13 will be available once the new left-turn lanes at the median are completed.
Two shoulder extensions, or “bulb-outs,” have been constructed on Route 13, one in each direction, to provide additional space for larger vehicles to complete U-turns.
During construction, a continuous closure of the left, inside lane in each direction on Route 13 within the project limits will be in place while the final phase of intersection improvements is completed.
The temporary median closure and detour for Route 13 traffic to access Daugherty Road are estimated to remain in place until early 2027, following the completion of new left-turn lanes at the median to Daugherty Road as part of the final configuration. Under the final RCUT configuration, motorists cannot turn left to or cross Route 13 from Daugherty Road and must use the new U-turn lanes instead.
The project is designed to improve safety and operations by converting the four-leg, unsignalized intersection into an RCUT and eliminating through movements and left turns from Daugherty Road onto Route 13. This intersection was identified in the 2016 Eastern Shore Safety Study as having a history of severe crashes, and an RCUT design improves safety by reducing conflict points and eliminating opportunities for head‑on crashes while also increasing efficiency.
The $4.29 million construction contract was awarded to Branscome Operating, LLC, in January 2026. Construction is estimated to be completed in early 2027.
All work is weather- and schedule-dependent; therefore, this schedule is subject to change.
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