A design public hearing will be held next week on proposed improvements in and around the intersection of Routes 17 and 216 at Hayes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold this meeting virtually on Wednesday, Dec. 9, starting at 5 p.m. A link to the meeting and information on how to join can be found at www.virginiadot.org/Route17Gloucester. No preregistration is required.

The project will repurpose the current shared through/left lane on Route 216, east of Route 17 to provide a westbound turn and through lane. VDOT plans to accomplish this by reconstructing the existing median and modifying the timing of the traffic lights.

Several commercial entrances along Route 17 northbound would become right-turn-in only, directing emerging traffic to use the main York River Crossing shopping center exit at the traffic signal.

Along Route 17 southbound, the northernmost entrance to the Hayes Plaza shopping center would close, directing traffic to use the main signalized...