One Giant Leap For Travelers Of Interchange

Pederson also said that she was unaware that the new ramp was opening today and blamed highway officials for not doing a better job of publicizing the flyover. "We're all operating in a vacuum of information," Pederson said. "There's no signage, nothing. No one knows where that lane's going to feed."

Highway officials said that until today they have kept new signs covered, fearing they would confuse drivers.

"Over the first few days there could be a little confusion, and that could create some slowing down," said Cloyed, who predicted that trips would be shortened by as much as 10 minutes when all lanes are open on the ramp's entire length.

At a height of 100 feet, the $31 million ramp is one of the tallest of its kind in Virginia. Consequently, it presented its own challenges. Builders had to consider how wind, ice, snow and noise would affect drivers, not to mention jitters and curiosity.

"I thought we should go ahead and put a scenic overlook up there," joked project spokesman Steve Titunik. "Put up some telescopes and have fun with it."

Instead, officials built taller-than-normal parapets on one side of the ramp, to cut down on high winds and the temptation of drivers to peer over the side. On the ramp's other side are 12-foot sound walls to keep the rumble of tractor-trailers from annoying neighbors.

De-icing gadgets, similar to those used at airports, were deemed too expensive, so a dedicated group of trucks and plows will be assigned to the span and others in the interchange during winter months.

Officials also said mile markers would eventually be put on the ramp so that when broken-down motorists call for help, they'll know where they are amid the puzzle of bridges and ramps.

Janine Taylor doesn't care so much about the specifics -- she's just glad the ramp is there. "We're all pretty pumped," she said of the carpoolers she rides with from Alexandria to Stafford each evening.

Merging into the Mixing Bowl every day is a white-knuckle adventure, she said.

"It's horrible," she said. "You're taking your life in your hands when you go through."

Would she miss the excitement?

"Uh, no," said Taylor, laughing.