Scott Shenk

Fredericksburg

Reporter at The Free Lance-Star

Veteran reporter covering Spotsylvania County and transportation in the Fredericksburg region.

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Articles

Get ready for summer roadwork

1 week ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

With summer creeping up that means work on road projects will soon kick into another gear. Here’s a roundup of some of the bigger Fredericksburg-area road projects, and potential travel delays, to keep an eye on this summer. Spotsylvania I-95/U.S. 1 interchangeA $42 million slate of projects aimed at improving the U.S. 1/Interstate 95 interchange in Spotsylvania County.
Small airplane crashes in Spotsylvania

2 weeks ago | dailyprogress.com | Scott Shenk

Two people survived an afternoon airplane crash in Spotsylvania County, the Virginia State Police reported Wednesday. The initial call came in at 3:08 p.m., the state police said. The pilot of a Beechcraft airplane reported an oil pressure issue and then tried to make an emergency landing in a field in the 11000 block of Scarlet Oak Road, according to the state police. Scarlet Oak Road is a short street ending in a cul-de-sac with several homes on large lots. The road is accessed by Chancellor Road.
Small airplane crashes in Spotsylvania

2 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

Two people survived an afternoon airplane crash in Spotsylvania County, the Virginia State Police reported Wednesday. The initial call came in at 3:08 p.m., the state police said. The pilot of a Beechcraft airplane reported an oil pressure issue and then tried to make an emergency landing in a field in the 11000 block of Scarlet Oak Road, the state police said.
Another express lanes extension coming?

2 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

There could be another extension of the electronically tolled express lanes on Virginia’s interstates.
Update set for Stafford intersection projects

2 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

Work is scheduled to start soon on Stafford County U.S. 1 intersections project, and residents can get details at a public information meeting. The $12.5 million project aims to realign the Telegraph Road intersection and expand the turn lanes at the Woodstock Lane intersection. Work is expected to start in late April. The information meeting is slated for Monday, April 14, from 5-7 p.m., in the board chambers of the George L. Gordon Jr. Government Center.
Culvert project would close Spotsy road for nearly 1 year

2 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

Transportation planners are looking for public input on a proposed culvert replacement project that could close a section of West Catharpin Road in Spotsylvania County for 10 months. The Virginia Department of Transportation is hosting a public hearing on the proposed $4.1 million project at Brock Road Elementary School from 5-7 p.m. on Monday.
Spotsylvania settles citations in 2022 employee death

3 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

The investigations into the 2022 county employee death in a trash compactor continue to evolve, with a resolution and key new developments.
More riders are using Virginia Railway Express this year

3 weeks ago | dailyprogress.com | Scott Shenk

It looks like the back-to-office mandate for federal workers is bringing more riders back to the Virginia Railway Express commuter trains. VRE has been in operation since 1992. The trains were regularly packed in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdowns that pushed employees to work from home. In recent years, VRE has been playing catchup on ridership, which has slowly ticked upward as some workers have returned to offices.
Budget public hearing Tuesday in Spotsylvania

3 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

Residents have a chance Tuesday evening to give their input on the proposed Spotsylvania County fiscal 2026 budget, 2025 tax rates and fiscal 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan. The public hearing starts at 6 p.m. and will be held at Courtland High School. According to the county, staff will be available beginning at 5 p.m. to answer questions. Residents also can send questions electronically on the county’s website (Form Center Budget Public Hearing Comment Sign Up Form).
More riders are using Virginia Railway Express this year

3 weeks ago | fredericksburg.com | Scott Shenk

It looks like the back to office mandate for federal workers is bringing more riders back to the Virginia Railway Express commuter trains. VRE trains have carried Fredericksburg-area commuters since 1992. The trains were regularly packed in the years leading up to the COVID pandemic and the shutdowns that pushed employees to work from home. In recent years VRE has been playing catchup on ridership, which has slowly ticked upward as some workers have returned to offices.