VDOT Culpeper District 2017 Transportation Update

CULPEPER DISTRICT

TRANSPORTATION UPDATE / FALL 2017

From the District Engineer: In 2017, the Culpeper District successfully delivered several large projects that have been years in the making.

In Culpeper County, the Route 3 widening and the grade separation of Route 29 and Route 666 mark the accomplishment of two significant projects that will improve safety for local drivers as well as travelers. Both projects were a priority for the county and for VDOT. Also in Culpeper the final section of Route 229 was widened to four lanes, completing that multi-phase improvement. In Albemarle County, construction of the Route 29 Solutions design-build projects was completed almost four months early and under the project budget.

The district continues its focus on maintaining the existing highway network, with 82 percent of our interstate and primary highways and 96 percent of our bridges in good condition. We are implementing new technologies and resources, such as advanced traffic signal controllers on Route 29 and permissive flashing yellow left-turn signals, to more efficiently move traffic.

In everything we do the district’s employees model our values — trust, integrity and respect — while also keeping safety as the number one priority. Our work affects almost everyone who lives, works or travels in the district every day, and we realize that dedication to safety must extend beyond our own activities to those whose lives we touch daily. We encourage that same dedication from the motoring public by obeying speed limits, buckling their seat belts, not being distracted by texting or cell phone use while driving and respecting emergency responders by moving over when approaching those vehicles on the roadside.

The projects, activities and achievements summarized in the pages of this Transportation Update would not have been realized without the work of the dedicated employees of VDOT’s Culpeper District as well as the support of our contracting partners, our state and local elected officials and staff and the communities they represent.

Thank you for that support, and we look forward to continued success in the future.

John D. Lynch, P.E. Culpeper District Engineer

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RIO ROAD GRADE-SEPARATED INTERSECTION PAGE 13

Contents District Overview District Map 4 Contacts 5

Safety Workplace Safety 6 Highway Safety 7

District Performance Project Performance 8 SMART SCALE Projects 9 Bridges 10 Pavement 11

ROUTE 3 W IDENING PAGE 25

Project Updates Route 29 Solutions 12 Albemarle County 17 Charlottesville 21 Culpeper County 24 Fauquier County 28 Fluvanna County 35 Greene County 37 Louisa County 39 Madison County 41 Orange County 43 Rappahannock County 45

CONWAY RIVER BRIDGE PAGE 41

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DIS T R I C T O V E R V I EW

Culpeper District Map

50 17

688

713 626

CULPEPER DISTRICT

66 55

710

The Plains

55

647

FAUQUIER

635

Marshall AHQ

688

522

691

17

15 29

647

RAPPAHANNOCK

Warrenton

Washington 211

729

Rappahannock AHQ

Warrenton AHQ

Warrenton Residency

211

642

643

802

28

729

Bealeton AHQ

729

707 707

522

Culpeper District

609

616

806

651

15 29

Culpeper

MADISON

610

Remington

West Culpeper AHQ

231

806 616

229

CULPEPER

670

605

802

17

651

669

3 29

647

647

610

662

Madison

522

15

634

615

230 33 Stanardsville AHQ 810

810

663

Gordonsville 20

649

231

64

15

29

620

Keene Keenee AHQ

640

613

Zion Crossroads AHQ

616

53

208 640

Scottsville

Palmyra Palmyrae AHQ

6

Area Headquarters

640

FLUVANNA 620

609

605

600

715

6

District Office Residency Office

LOUISA

659 795

Warrenton Residency Mineral 618

250

20

712

22 208

Louisa

618

Tavern AHQ 616

795

Louisa Residency

652

Louisa Residency

613

616

Charlottesville Residency Boyd

208

669

22 22

708

Charlottesville Residency

33

Charlottesville

692

522

669

Gordonsville AHQ

29

Free Union AHQ

635

ORANGE

33 743

810

Yancey Mills Millse AHQ

621 669

20

ALBEMARLE

250

611

20

Orange

GREENE

810

240

230

231

Stanardsville

Rhoadesville AHQ

614

Madison AHQ

662

647

605

15

659

6

522

64

Cuckoo AHQ 601

64

250 663

Interstate

33 1

U.S.

30

Virginia Primary

600

Secondary

610

Columbia MILES 0

5

10

20

VDOT - COMMUNICATIONS - CARTOGRAPHY - 6/16 - #1851

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DISTRICT OV E R V I E W

Contact Us EX EC U T I V E S TA F F

John D. Lynch, P.E. District Engineer

David Pearce, P.E. District Maintenance Engineer

 John.Lynch@VDOT.virginia.gov  540-829-7512

 David.Pearce@VDOT.virginia.gov  540-829-7513

Ken Connors, P.E. District Project Development and Construction Engineer

Vacant as of Oct. 1 Assistant District Administrator for Business, Programming and Investment Management

 Ken.Connors@VDOT.virginia.gov  540-829-7510

 To be announced  540-727-3233

RES I D E N C I E S

CHA R LO TTESV ILLE

LOUISA

WA R R E N T O N

Joel DeNunzio, P.E. Charlottesville Residency Engineer

E. Alan Saunders, P.E. Louisa Residency Engineer

D. Mark Nesbit, P.E. Warrenton Residency Engineer

Covering Albemarle, Greene and Madison counties

Covering Fluvanna, Louisa and Orange counties

Covering Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties

 Joel.DeNunzio@VDOT.virginia.gov  434-293-0011

 Alan.Saunders@VDOT.virginia.gov  540-967-3710

 Daniel.Nesbit@VDOT.virginia.gov  540-347-6441

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S AFE T Y

Excellence in Workplace Safety Culpeper District is the proud winner of the inaugural Chief Engineer’s Safety Excellence (CESE) Award.

In 2015, VDOT embarked on a new, proactive approach to workforce safety, modeled after some of the industry’s leading safety programs, and at its root is the CESE Award.

The cup represents the district’s commitment to building a safety culture through increased engagement. The result?

Everyone — from employees to the traveling public — wins.

As a result of the CESE competition, Culpeper District: • Implemented 24 employee ideas to address observed safety deficiencies or hazards, • Had a 90 percent completion rate on basic training courses, including CPR and fire extinguisher use, and • Produced 3 safety videos that encouraged creativity and collaboration to highlight prevention of common injuries and accidents.

Right, top: Hands-on fire extinguisher training prepares employees for emergencies at work and home. Right, middle: Painting wheel chocks bright orange makes them easier to see in low-light conditions, meaning they’re less likely to become a tripping hazard.

Right, bottom: Culpeper District equipment now sports these “move over law” bumper stickers as a reminder to motorists.

Below: Gordonsville Area Headquarters staff celebrates clenching the CESE cup.

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S AF E T Y

Highway Safety & Operations As of Oct. 1, 40 traffic deaths have occurred on the roads of the Culpeper District this year — a sizeable 38 percent increase over the same point in 2016.

VDOT reviews each fatal crash, with special attention to roadway improvements that could prevent future collisions.

One recent success story is the installation of rumble strips along the district’s primary highways.

Run-off-the-road crashes Twenty-one of the district’s 40 fatal crashes, or 53 percent, are roadway departures, in which a single vehicle runs off the road and strikes a fixed object, such as a tree. Distracted and impaired driving are a leading cause of these crashes.

Of course, attentiveness is the driver’s responsibility, but at 50¢ per linear foot, rumble strips along the roadway shoulders are a cost-effective countermeasure when a vehicle begins to drift.

This year, rumble strips were installed on the Route 29 corridor from Ruckersville to the Prince William County line, and seven additional primary routes will be addressed later this fall. Where these routes are two lanes wide, rumble strips will be applied to the road’s centerline to prevent head-on collisions and over-correcting.

Wear your seatbelt There is one crash factor VDOT has no control over: seatbelt use. So far this year in Culpeper District, 53 percent of those killed in car crashes were unbelted.

Seatbelts won’t prevent a crash, but by buckling up and putting children in appropriate safety seats, you can reduce the risk of serious injury and death in a crash by half.

CASE STUDY: INNOVATIVE INTERSECTIONS In 2016, Virginia’s first restricted crossing U-turn, or RCUT, was installed in Culpeper County at Route 29 and Route 718 (Mountain Run Lake Road).

Compared to adding a traffic signal or building an interchange, the RCUT has a smaller footprint requiring less right of way; can be built quickly and affordably; and emphasizes maintaining the free flow of Route 29 traffic.

ROUTE 29/718 RCUT But safety is its best feature. This intersection had a history of crashes occurring as motorists made left CULPEPER COUNTY turns onto Route 29 from the side street. The RCUT eliminates this movement and instead requires drivers to turn right and then U-turn to reach their destination. In the nine months since the RCUT’s December 2016 opening, no turning-related crashes have occurred at the intersection.

The RCUT is a novelty in Virginia, but not for long. This year, the Commonwealth Transportation Board set forth new governance that prioritizes increasing capacity through innovative designs before major expansions or installation of new traffic signals should be considered. RCUTs are already planned at two other intersections in the Culpeper District.

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DIS T R I C T P E R F ORMA N C E

FY 2017 Project Performance This fiscal year, the Culpeper District exceeded targets in all four of its project performance measures. We are particularly proud of progress with development of locally administered projects, which has risen from 58 percent of projects advertised on time in FY 2016 to 95 percent this year. A newly formed team of project coordinators has taken a strategic approach and prioritizes relationshipbuilding with the district’s 13 localities, with a measurable result: Culpeper now leads all VDOT districts in this performance category.

Project Development 100

100

80

80

60

40

20

Target 70%

60

Target 70%

80%

40

95%

12 of 15 projects advertised on time

20

20 of 21 projects advertised on time

0

Projects Advertised on Time

0

SMART SCALE DASHBOARD Since its inception in 2015, SMART SCALE has dramatically changed the way we prioritize, fund and deliver projects in Virginia.

Because projects receive full funding upon approval, there is an expectation that VDOT will deliver as promised.

VDOT has an obligation to openly and accurately tell the public how we’re doing in terms of meeting that expectation.

Enter the SMART SCALE Dashboard, which tracks on-time and on-budget progress. Using VDOT’s traditional red, yellow and green indicators, the new dashboard takes performance monitoring up a notch to encourage early finish and cost-consciousness.

This construction season, Culpeper District delivered two SMART SCALE projects:

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Route 29/607, Greene County See page 37 for details.

Locally Administered Projects

Project Delivery 100

100

80

80

Target 85%

Target 77% 60

60

40

40

20

92% 24 of 26 projects delivered on time

Projects Delivered on Time

Route 15/53 Roundabout, Fluvanna County See page 35 for details.

96% 25 of 26 projects delivered on budget

0

0

8

20

2

Projects Delivered on Budget

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DISTRICT PERFO RM ANCE

SMART SCALE at Work Transportation needs will almost always be greater than the funds available to address them. SMART SCALE is about investing limited tax dollars in the right projects to meet the most critical transportation needs in Virginia.

Through SMART SCALE, projects submitted by local governments and regional entities are scored in an objective process involving public engagement and input.

The scored list of projects provides the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) with the best information possible to select projects for funding.

The second round of SMART SCALE was concluded in June, when the CTB approved $1.02 billion in funding for 147 projects statewide. Eleven of those projects were in Culpeper District.

SMART SCALE now enters a biennial cycle, with the next round of applications due Aug. 1, 2018.

CULPEPER DISTRICT SMART SCALE RESULTS SMART SCALE Round One

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$81.36 M

of 17 candidate projects funded

in funding across six localities

SMART SCALE Round Two Throughout the Transportation Update, look for this icon, which identifies projects funded through the SMART SCALE prioritization process. For more information, visit vasmartscale.org.

11 of 35 candidate projects funded

$53.56 M in funding across six localities

Special Funding Programs Rural Rustic Roads

Recreational Access Program

Through VDOT’s Rural Rustic Roads program, low-volume gravel roads are improved with minimal, context-sensitive engineering and reconstruction for drainage, sight distance and grading, followed by surface treatment.

The state-funded Recreational Access Program assists with establishing access to or within public recreational areas and historic sites operated by the Commonwealth or by a local authority.

Transportation Alternatives

Rural Additions

The federally funded Transportation Alternatives Program helps local sponsors fund community-based projects for non-vehicular travel and improves the cultural, historical and environmental aspects of the transportation infrastructure.

At the request of the county Board of Supervisors, routes meeting certain criteria may be added to the state system of secondary highways and improved to current standards with rural addition funds.

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DIS T R I C T P E R F ORMA N C E

Bridge Condition Culpeper District’s bridge program continues to reach new heights. This was the district’s fourth year of steady increase in its bridge condition performance measure. Just 63 of the 1,664 bridges analyzed are rated as structurally deficient, an industry term that indicates deterioration.

STRUCTURES REHABILITATED IN 2017 ALBEMARLE COUNTY

100

80

Target 92%

• • • •

FAUQUIER COUNTY

60

40

20

Route 606 over North Fork Rivanna River Route 640 over Norfolk Southern Railway Route 641 over Norfolk Southern Railway (reopens Dec. 1) Route 810 over Halls Creek

96.2% Percent of bridges not structurally deficient

0

• •

Route 702 over Cromwells Run Route 787 over Cedar Run

FLUVANNA COUNTY • •

Route 623 over branch of Venable Creek (begins in mid-October) Route 629 over Phils Creek

LOUISA COUNTY •

Route 658 over Turners Creek

RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY • •

Route 604 over Hughes River Route 655 over Beaverdam Creek

DID YOU KNOW? BRIDGE INSPECTION

Crew members prepare the bridge abutments before placing new steel bridge beams and a timber deck on the Route 787 (Watery Mountain Road) bridge over Cedar Run in Fauquier.

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Culpeper District’s bridge staff inspect its 1,712 bridges and large culverts at least once every two years, more often when there are concerns due to age, deterioration or bridge damage.

DISTRICT PERFO RM ANCE

Pavement Maintenance Preserving Culpeper District’s 4,867 miles of roadway is a core function of our business. Each year, VDOT rates pavement conditions in order to make strategic maintenance decisions. Treatment types are carefully selected to meet maintenance needs based on traffic volume, current condition and other factors.

In 2017, the district will spend $37 million to resurface 400 miles in our nine counties.

100

80

60

40

20

Target 82%

83% Percent interstate and primary pavement in fair or better condition

At about 15 percent of the cost of asphalt, surface treatment is a durable, cost-effective option for many secondary roads.

Secondary roads Pavement condition on Culpeper District’s secondary roads is at 59.8 percent, below the statewide 65 percent target. With sustained funding and a continued systematic approach to the resurfacing program, the district expects improvement with this measure.

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Status map New this year is an interactive map that displays locations of paving work, contact information and project status — scheduled, in progress, completed or deferred to next season — which is updated weekly.

Culpeper District-specific information is also available on our paving webpage.

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Berkmar Bridge. At 715 feet long and eight stories above the river bed, construction of the Berkmar bridge was no small feat. See for yourself with this time-lapse video.

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P R O J E CT UPD ATES

ROUTE 29 SOLUTIONS

The Rio Road grade-separated intersection was first opened to traffic on July 19, 2016 and was completed Dec. 2.

The major Route 29 Solutions improvement projects in the greater Charlottesville region are complete. The initiative began in 2014 with the goals of increasing safety, reducing congestion and improving mobility along the vital Route 29 corridor.

Recently Completed

Stay informed on project progress by visiting Route29Solutions.org, where you can find news and traffic alerts, and follow @Rt29Solutions on Twitter.

The first Route 29 Solutions project to be completed was the Rio Road-Route 29 grade-separated intersection. The $69.7 million project, built by design-build contractor LaneCorman Joint Venture, came in on time and under budget on Dec. 2, 2016.

Rio Road Grade-Separated Intersection

The construction phase included a shutdown period during summer 2016 that was completed seven weeks ahead of schedule. Quick work combined with extensive public outreach meant that the project was minimally disruptive to neighboring businesses and the traveling public.

New crosswalks, lighting and aesthetic details make pedestrian use of the Rio Road bridge both safe and pleasing to the eye.

Route 29 through traffic now uses four center lanes, two in each direction, to pass beneath Rio Road while local traffic keeps to the outside for access to Rio Road and nearby businesses. The Rio Road overpass provides safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities that require crossing fewer lanes of traffic. Pedestrians have a dedicated signal phase that allows them to safely cross the intersection.

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P R OJ E CT UP DATES: RO U TE 29 SO LUTIONS

Route 29 Widening Until completion of this project on July 21 — more than three months early — the 1.8-mile section of Route 29 between Polo Grounds Road and Towncenter Drive was the last four-lane section from the Charlottesville city limits to Airport Road. Under a design-build contract by LaneCorman Joint Venture, this $61.3 million project widened the road to six lanes and reconstructed it to remove steep grades and improve stopping sight distance, both of which were factors in a higher than average crash rate along this section of the highway.

Berkmar Drive Extension This project, valued at $54.5 million and constructed by design-build contractor Lane-Corman Joint Venture, extended Berkmar Drive north from Hilton Heights Road to Towncenter Drive. The 2.2-mile, two-lane road on a new alignment includes a bridge spanning the South Fork Rivanna River. The road also has bike lanes, a sidewalk and a 10-foot paved shared-use path along its entire length.

Berkmar Drive Extended parallels Route 29 and offers an alternative for traffic traveling from Charlottesville to points north. Along with the Route 29 widening, this project was completed on July 21, more than three months early.

The Route 29 widening project added capacity to the corridor, as well as addressed safety issues at several intersections where previously steep grades limited sight distance.

Route 29/250 Interchange Improvements The $17.2 million project, known locally as the Best Buy Ramp, added a lane on Route 29 southbound from Hydraulic Road to the Route 250 Bypass ramp and a second lane on the ramp west to the Barracks Road exit, allowing local traffic to avoid merging. Since its completion in May 2016 by Fielder’s Choice Enterprises Inc. of Charlottesville, this area has seen a decrease in rear-end collisions.

The project also included a sidewalk in the Route 29 median to connect pedestrian facilities north and south of the interchange and sound barriers along Route 250 to reduce traffic noise for residents.

Route 29 Traffic Signal Coordination: Advanced Transportation Controllers In addition to the major highway improvements, Route 29 Solutions has upgraded the traffic signals at 18 intersections along Route 29 from Hydraulic Road north to Airport Road, as well as several nearby intersections with large volumes of turning traffic. Cutting-edge technology allows VDOT’s traffic engineers to monitor traffic in real time and review the performance of the signals in moving traffic efficiently along the corridor.

Built on new alignment, Berkmar Drive Extended provides a limited-access parallel alternative to Route 29 in northern Albemarle County and includes a multi-use path and bike lanes along its entire length.

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The first phase of the project, installing the system infrastructure, was completed in summer 2015. It included upgrading the signal hardware, installing monitoring cameras and linking the signal controllers along the corridor so signal timing could be managed from VDOT’s regional Transportation Operations Center.

PROJ ECT UPDATES: ROUTE 29 S O L UT I O NS

The recently completed roundabout at Zan Road, complete with center-island landscaping, is one feature of the Hillsdale Drive Extended project.

Software that tracks the flow of traffic along the corridor in near-real time provides data that the engineers use to fine-tune the signal phasing during different times of day. Since completion of the Route 29 widening project, approximately 80 percent of vehicles traveling on Route 29 arrive at intersections on the green signal phase.

Street (Route 29) in the city south of Hydraulic Road as well as the Route 250-Hydraulic Road and Hillsdale DriveHydraulic Road intersections. This will allow synchronization with the signals to the north and further improve traffic flow on the corridor.

VDOT has recently reached agreement with the city of Charlottesville to manage operations of signals on Emmet

Under Construction Hillsdale Drive Extended CONTRACTOR: Fielder’s Choice Enterprises Inc. of Charlottesville COST: $29.7 million MILESTONES: August 2016 – Construction start; February 2017 – Reconstruction of North Wing of Seminole Square Shopping Center complete; March 2017 – First section of roadway, Hydraulic Road to India Road, opened to traffic; April 2017 – Bridge beams set; May 2017 – Roundabout at Line Drive and Zan Road open to traffic; Oct. 30, 2017 – Project completion.

The Rio Road grade-separated intersection project removed three traffic signals for through motorists. With new controller technology, signals north and south of the intersection work in concert to reduce the stop-and-go pattern that causes congestion.

This project will connect Hillsdale Drive in Albemarle County with Hydraulic Road in the city, completing a parallel road from Hydraulic to Rio Road East. When complete in late fall, it will provide an alternate route for traffic traveling north and south and will relieve congestion

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P R OJ E CT UP DATES: RO U TE 29 SO LUTIONS

on Route 29. The project is being administered by the city of Charlottesville under VDOT’s Urban Construction Initiative.

The southern section of the roadway, between Hydraulic Road and Seminole Court, is complete and open to traffic.

The northern section, from Seminole Court to Greenbrier Drive, will open to traffic later this year.

More information about the project and a link to subscribe to the project email list is available at hillsdaledrive.org.

Proposed Hillsdale Drive South At the request of the city of Charlottesville this project has been combined with the Hydraulic Road intersection improvement project below. The Route 29 Solutions package provided $10 million to fund design and construction.

Route 29-Hydraulic Road Intersection The Hydraulic Road-Route 29 intersection is one of the most congested on the Route 29 corridor, carrying more than 61,000 vehicles per day. It has a higher-than-average crash rate, including those involving vehicles and pedestrians.

Route 29 Solutions provided $10 million for study and preliminary engineering of an improvement project.

The Hydraulic Planning Advisory Panel, comprised of local officials and staff, business representatives and community stakeholders, is currently developing a small area plan for the intersection and surrounding area.

The second phase of the advisory panel’s work will be to develop recommendations for transportation improvements that address geometric and operational deficiencies, increase capacity and better accommodate a variety of transportation modes including pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit. The panel’s work will finish by summer 2018, and their recommendations will be submitted as applications for project funding in the next round of SMART SCALE.

This original project as proposed in 2014 would have extended Hillsdale Drive south of its planned intersection with Hydraulic Road to a new terminus at Holiday Drive in Charlottesville.

The Hydraulic Planning Advisory Panel held a design charrette on April 11 to gather stakeholder input on land use and transportation planning.

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P R O J E CT UPD ATES

ALBEMARLE COUNTY

On Route 250, high-pressure water jets remove deteriorated concrete from the bridge over the Route 29/250 Bypass.

Under Construction Rehabilitation of Route 250 Bridge over Route 29/250 Bypass CONTRACTOR: Crossroads Bridge, Inc. of Rural Retreat CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.1 million COMPLETION DATE: Late October 2017

To extend the service life of the Route 250 (Ivy Road) bridge that spans the Route 29/250 Bypass, VDOT is rehabilitating its concrete abutments and applying a protective deck overlay to improve the riding surface for motorists. Work

occurred off the roadway from April to August, when extended single-lane closures in each direction were implemented for the overlay application and curing period.

The bulk of work has been completed, with intermittent lane closures expected until late October. All work is done in coordination with University of Virginia special events.

Recently Completed Replacement of Route 795 Bridge over the Hardware River VDOT contractor Fairfield-Echols, LLC of Fishersville completed repairs to the Route 795 (Blenheim Road) bridge

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P R OJ E CT UP DATES: A LB EMA R LE C O UNTY

over the Hardware River on Sept. 26. The bridge is now open to all legal-weight vehicles.

The eight-month construction project, valued at $1.1 million, replaced the timber deck and truss structure, which carries an average of 180 vehicles a day.

In Design Replacement of Route 250 Bridge over Little Ivy Creek In July 2018, VDOT will close Route 250 for two weeks to replace the bridge that spans Little Ivy Creek. This construction approach was the overwhelming preference of the 85 citizens who provided comments at the project’s January 2017 public hearing. A three-month singlelane closure with temporary signalization was the other alternative presented.

Built in 1936, the structurally-deficient bridge will be removed and replaced with a four-cell box culvert. This stretch of Route 250 carries 12,000 vehicles per day, which will be detoured using Interstate 64 between exits 107 (Crozet) and 118 (Route 29). An extensive public outreach campaign is planned for the $3 million project, beginning six weeks before the closure.

The aged Little Ivy Creek bridge will be replaced with a large box culvert during summer 2018.

Construction of Roundabout at Routes 250 and 151 SMART SCALE and Highway Safety Improvement Program funding was approved in July for reconstruction of the intersection of Route 250 and Route 151 in Afton, near the Nelson County line, as a roundabout. This project will improve operations and safety at the busy intersection while managing traffic speeds and correcting geometric deficiencies that contribute to its current high crash rate.

Design work on the $5.8 million project is under way.

A roundabout at the Route 240/250 intersection, and nearby Route 680, will improve safety by slowing traffic and reducing the number of traffic conflict points.

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PROJ ECT UPDATES: AL BEMARL E CO UNT Y

A temporary traffic signal was installed in April 2017 as an intermediate measure. Advance warning flashers and inlane rumble strips have also been installed on the downhill Route 250 eastbound approach to slow traffic.

Construction of Roundabout at Routes 240 and 250 In July, VDOT received federal High-Risk Rural Roads funding for a $3.5 million roundabout project at the intersection of Routes 240, 250 and 680 in Crozet. Design work begins this fall at this location, which has a strong prevalence of angle, or turning-related, crashes with high traffic volumes, poor sight distance and speed as contributing factors.

The design of a roundabout slows vehicle speeds upon approach and reduces the number of conflict points where crashes can occur. The result is improved safety through a reduction in incidence and severity of crashes. The roundabout will also improve traffic flow by creating gaps in Route 250 traffic that will allow vehicles on Routes 240 and 680 to merge more easily.

Interstate 64 Exit 118 Improvements Two future projects will improve traffic operations at the I-64/Route 29 interchange at exit 118 in Charlottesville: •

•

From I-64 westbound to Route 29 northbound, a dual through/right-merge lane will be added on Route 29 to eliminate the weave pattern onto Fontaine Avenue.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization applied for and received $2.9 million in funding for this project through SMART SCALE.

the I-64/Route 15 interchange at Zion Crossroads in Louisa County; two others have been completed at the I-581 Valley View interchange in Roanoke and at the I-66/Route 15 interchange in Haymarket. Preliminary engineering work is expected to begin in summer 2018.

Rio Mills Road/Berkmar Drive Connection Through SMART SCALE, Albemarle County has secured full funding for a quarter-mile, two-lane highway to connect Rio Mills Road to the recently completed Berkmar Drive Extended. The $3.8 million project will include a sidewalk and shared-use path that connects to the bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Berkmar Drive Extended.

Intersection Improvements at Route 20 and Route 649 In July, $4 million in SMART SCALE funding was allocated to Albemarle County to reconstruct the high-volume Route 20/ Proffit Road intersection to improve safety and traffic flow.

Design work is expected to begin in late summer 2018.

Locally Administered Installation of Sidewalks and Bicycle/ Pedestrian Facilities Albemarle County will use revenue-sharing funding on five projects that will add new sidewalks in several locations.

Construction will begin in fall 2017 on Route 631 (Old Lynchburg Road), Route 654 (Barracks Road) and Route 743

From Route 29 southbound to I-64 eastbound, a Highway Safety Improvement Program-funded project will remove a loop ramp and add a traffic signal for modified interstate access, which will eliminate the weave movement on the ramp that has been identified as a factor in many crashes. Its budget is $1.3 million.

Interstate 64 Exit 124 Reconstruction The Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization applied for and received $18.4 million in funding through the SMART SCALE process to build a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on Route 250 and make other low-cost improvements for safety and congestion relief. Virginia’s first DDI opened in 2014 at

A diverging diamond interchange is planned at the busy I-64 interchange near Shadwell (exit 124).

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(Hydraulic Road). The project schedules vary for the other locations along Route 250 at both Pantops and Crozet.

5th Street Node and Bicycle Connections Preliminary engineering work has begun by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission on a project to add a bicycle connection at the Fifth Street Station development and shared-use trails connecting to Fifth Street.

Rural Rustic Roads Read more about Rural Rustic Road projects on page 9.

This season, a Rural Rustic Road project was completed on: •

Route 685 (Bunker Hill Road) from Route 616 (Black Cat Road) to end of state maintenance

Projects are under way on: •

Route 731 (Keswick Road) from Route 744 (Hunt Club Road) to Route 22

•

Route 747 (Preddy Creek Road) from Route 600 (Watts Passage) to Route 640 (Gilbert Station Road)

•

Route 824 (Patterson Mill Lane) from Route 688 (Midway Road) to 1 mile north

A Rural Rustic Road success story is Route 784 (Doctors Crossing), finished in 2016, where hard-surfacing dramatically improved driving conditions.

DEER FENCING PROJECT A fencing project by VDOT’s Virginia Transportation Research Council aims to decrease deer collisions along Interstate 64 in western Albemarle, where deer are the cause of a third of all crashes.

Two mile-long segments of roadside fencing, located at mile 114 (Ivy) and mile 110 (Mechums River bridge), were installed this year. The 8-foot woven-wire fence keeps deer away from fastmoving traffic, instead nudging them to use underpass structures for safe crossing.

The effectiveness of the fence will be studied through 2018, with a goal of providng guidance for similar installations along other parts of I-64 and roads across Virginia.

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CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

The city’s signal upgrades will complete synchronization of all Route 29 signals from Ivy Road to Airport Road.

Locally Administered Emmet Street Traffic Signal Upgrades: Advanced Transportation Controllers The city is working with VDOT to install advanced traffic signal hardware and software controllers at 11 intersections along Emmet Street and nearby intersections between Route 250 Business (Ivy Road) and Angus Road. Though separate from the Route 29 Solutions traffic signal project in Albemarle County, the city’s $2 million effort will use the same technology to connect the entire corridor. This technology allows for remote, real-time monitoring of the signals’ performance and the ability to adjust signal cycles as needed.

VDOT recently reached agreement with the city to manage operations and maintenance of signals on Emmet Street (Route 29) in the city south of Hydraulic Road as well as

the Route 250-Hydraulic Road and Hillsdale Drive-Hydraulic Road intersections. This will allow synchronization with the signals to the north and further improve traffic flow on the corridor.

Replacement of Belmont Bridge Charlottesville is administering a project that will replace the current Belmont Bridge, which carries Route 20 (Avon Street) over the Buckingham Branch Railroad and Water Street, connecting the downtown area with Belmont and other neighborhoods south of the railroad. The bridge was built in 1962 and is significantly deteriorated.

The city is working with design consultant Kimley-Horn on project development. To date, a series of community meetings has been held to gather public input, and the consultant is preparing a conceptual design to be reviewed and approved by City Council. The city aims to begin construction as early as summer 2018.

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shared-use path, improve bike lanes, landscaping and improved pedestrian crossings at intersections along Emmet Street. VDOT and the city are coordinating this project with adjacent University of Virginia improvements for mutual benefit.

Barracks Road/Emmet Street Intersection Improvements

Streetscape improvements are planned for Fontaine Avenue between Jefferson Park Avenue and the research park.

Fontaine Avenue Streetscape Improvements The city is working to hire a design consultant on the $11.7 million project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, to improve safety and traffic flow on Fontaine Avenue from Maury Avenue/Jefferson Park Avenue to the eastern city limits. Fontaine Avenue will be reconstructed to three lanes with a tree-lined median, dedicated leftturn lanes, bike lanes, walking paths, enhanced pedestrian crossings and street lighting.

The city of Charlottesville received $8.6 million in SMART SCALE funding to add right-turn lanes on northbound Emmet Street and westbound Barracks Road, as well as improve bicycle/pedestrian and transit facilities. The project will include a multi-use sidewalk along Emmet Street to connect to a future trail network that will extend down Meadowbrook Road.

Repaving Route 250 Business Using primary extension funds, which are designated for portions of state primary highways maintained by municipalities, the city will repave a 0.2-mile section of Route 250 Business (Ridge McIntire Road) between West Main Street and Preston Avenue. The project is expected to be advertised this winter with construction in the spring.

East High Street Streetscape Improvements Design work is under way on a $5.6 million project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, on East High Street from the Downtown Mall to the area of the old Martha Jefferson Hospital and Locust Avenue. The project will widen sidewalks, enhance pedestrian access with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant improvements, add bike lanes and provide greater access to mass transit facilities.

Emmet Street Streetscape Improvements Design work is under way on a $12.1 million project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, to enhance bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along Emmet Street from the intersection of University Avenue/ Ivy Road to Arlington Boulevard. The project will add a

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The city’s upcoming Water Street trail project will connect the Coal Tower (pictured) and Meade Avenue trails west to the Belmont Bridge.

PROJ ECT UPDATES: CITY OF CHARL O T T E S V I L L E

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations

West McIntire Multi-Use Trail Extensions

The city of Charlottesville will use Highway Safety Improvement Program funds to make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant improvements in several locations. The project schedules vary for the areas below:

Construction is expected to begin this winter on a bicycle/ pedestrian bridge that will span the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks inside McIntire Park. The bridge will connect to the east end of the West McIntire Commuter Trail. On the western end, the city plans to build a 10-foot paved trail extending to Hydraulic Road. Improvements include a crossing feature at Meadowbrook Heights Road and a retaining wall under the Dairy Road bridge.

•

Preston Avenue/Harris Street

•

Preston Avenue/Grady Avenue/10th Street

•

Monticello Avenue/2nd Street

•

Monticello Avenue/Ridge Street

•

Ridge Street/5th Street

Transportation Alternatives

Water Street Shared-Use Path This fall, the city of Charlottesville will advertise a project to construct a shared-use path along Water Street that will connect the Coal Tower and Meade Avenue trails to the Downtown Mall.

Learn more about transportation alternatives on page 9.

Safe Routes to School: Jackson-Via Elementary School Improvements to the bicycle and pedestrian facilities surrounding Jackson-Via Elementary School in the southern end of the city are in the design phase. The project is expected to be advertised this fall.

Built with the Best Buy Ramp project, sound walls along the Route 29/250 Bypass reduce traffic noise for residents.

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Route 3. The reconstructed four-lane Route 3 roadway is open to traffic as of mid-September, smoothing the daily commute for more than 8,000 motorists.

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Traffic uses the completed Route 29/666 grade-separated interchange in Culpeper.

Recently Completed

exit ramps, installed new traffic signals and completed work in the median.

Route 3 Widening

The project widened Route 666 to a four-lane divided highway and added bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on both sides of the road. It removes a traffic signal for through traffic on the busy Route 29 corridor.

VDOT design-build contractors Branch Civil Inc. and Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson (JMT) completed construction on Route 3 (Germanna Highway) on Sept. 15.

The $23.6 million project widened to four lanes the last remaining portion of two-lane highway between Culpeper and Fredericksburg. The project also addressed safety on the 5.1-mile length, which stretches from Stevensburg east to Lignum and has a significant crash history.

Route 29/Route 666 Interchange On Aug. 25, VDOT contractor Chemung Contracting Corp. of Mitchells completed construction of the $18.7 million grade-separated diamond interchange at Route 29/Route 666. Traffic began using the new Route 666 bridge in February while crews finished the Route 29 entrance and

Restricted Crossing U-Turn at Route 29 and Route 718 In December 2016, VDOT contractor Chemung Contracting Corp. of Mitchells completed work on the restricted crossing U-turn intersection, or RCUT, at the intersection of Route 29 and Mountain Run Lake Road. The project was completed a month early and within budget.

The RCUT and two associated turn-lane improvements address a trend of left turn-related crashes while maintaining free flow for Route 29 through traffic. See page 7 for more on how the RCUT is performing.

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Route 229 Widening to Four Lanes In late July, VDOT, in conjunction with the town of Culpeper, completed improvements to a 0.8-mile section of Route 229 (North Main Street). The $6.7 million project widened Route 229 to a four-lane undivided highway with turn lanes where warranted. Other improvements included upgrading the traffic signal at Grandview Avenue and constructing a 10-foot shared-use path on the east side of the road and a sidewalk on the west side.

To the north, this segment connects to the Route 229 widening project completed in 2010, and to the south, the Route 15/29 Business roundabout.

Construction of Route 784 (Ira Hoffman Lane) Route 784, now known as Ira Hoffman Lane, was completed and opened to traffic in December 2016, nearly 11 months ahead of schedule.

Contractor General Excavation Inc. of Warrenton constructed the $18.1 million roadway on new alignment, which was funded jointly by Culpeper County and the state through the revenue-sharing program. The two-lane road features paved shoulders, bike paths, roadside drainage, three box culverts at stream crossings and stormwater management basins. In addition, minor improvements were made at the Route 522 (Sperryville Pike) and Route 729 (Eggbornsville Road) intersections.

The project also included preparing the roadbed for eventual widening to a four-lane divided highway, including appropriate grading and drainage structures.

In Design Brandy Station Park and Ride Lot This $900,000 project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, will expand the existing Park and Ride lot at Route 29 and Route 663 (Alanthus Road) to 95 spaces.

Construction is expected to begin in May 2020.

Proposed Waterloo Bridge A public hearing was held May 17 on a proposed project to restore the Route 613 (Waterloo Road) bridge, which carries traffic over the Rappahannock River to connect Culpeper and Fauquier counties. Of 154 comments received on the project, 63 percent favored rehabilitation of the bridge for vehicular use.

The one-lane wrought-iron truss bridge, built in 1878, was closed due to deterioration in January 2014.

The estimated $4 million project involves dismantling the truss, making repairs and replacing those components no longer fit for use, and then reinstalling it. The bridge’s piers will be repaired, and the 15 approach spans will receive new steel beams and a timber deck.

VDOT is currently working with its Commonwealth Transportation Board members and Culpeper and Fauquier counties to identify funding for the rehabilitation project.

Locally Administered Route 522 Road Diet Preliminary engineering work is under way by the town of Culpeper, in coordination with VDOT, to improve bike and pedestrian accommodations on Route 522 (Sperryville Pike) from the intersection at North West Street to 0.8 mile west.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2019.

Commonly called the Western Outer Loop, the new 2-mile Route 784 winds through the Culpeper hillside.

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Called a “road diet,” this project strategy converts a travel lane to another element, such as a turn lane or multi-use path, to help reduce speeding and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. Road diets are also shown to reduce rear-end and turning-related crashes.

PROJ ECT UPDATES: CUL PEPER CO UNT Y

Traffic Signal Upgrades The town of Culpeper, in coordination with VDOT, will use approximately $970,000 in Highway Safety Improvement Program funding to upgrade 17 traffic and pedestrian signals within the town limits. The improvements include adding high-visibility back plates to the signals to increase driver awareness.

Recreational Access Program

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, Rural Rustic Road projects were completed on: •

Route 607 (Cabin Road) from Route 606 (Novum Road) to 0.7 mile north

•

Route 640 (Docs Road) from the Rappahannock County line to Route 627 (Homeland Road)

A project is under way on: •

Learn more about this program on page 9.

Route 714 (Dunkard Church Road) from Route 646 (Old Stillhouse Road) to Route 713 (Dulaney Road)

Projects are in development on:

Recreation Access Road into Galbreath-Marshall Park

•

Route 624 (Oak Shade Road) from Route 693 (Scottsville Road) to Route 625 (Ryland Chapel Road)

Using recreational access funding, Culpeper County completed work in February to reconstruct and pave Wolford Street from Old Fredericksburg Road into the county’s Galbreath-Marshall Park.

•

Route 642 (Dove Hill Road) from 1.1 miles to 1.7 miles north of Route 15

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Route 647 (Twin Mountains Road) from Route 736 (Willlis Ford Road) to 2.6 miles east

•

Route 692 (Old Orange Road) from Route 15 to Route 617 (Winston Road)

BEFORE

AN INTERSECTION REBUILT

AFTER

At the original Y-intersection of Route 229 and Route 802 (Springs Road), drivers had to look over their shoulders to identify gaps in traffic.

As a result, side-swipe collisions were commonplace.

This summer, in just two weeks, VDOT crews reconstructed the intersection to a T shape for safety and much improved sight distance.

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Route 245 over Broad Run. The recently replaced bridge links The Plains and other communities in northern Fauquier to Interstate 66.

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The Schoolhouse Road project was finished in May, three months ahead of schedule.

Recently Completed

Route 17 Southbound Access Restriction

Rehabilitation of Route 245 over Broad Run

VDOT closed access from the signalized Opal intersection at Frontage Route 1077 (Marsh Road) to Route 17 southbound on Dec. 2, 2016. A U-turn facility was constructed to redirect through motorists to the loop ramp for access to Route 17 southbound.

VDOT completed work to the Route 245 (Old Tavern Road) bridge over Broad Run and reopened the roadway to traffic on April 7. The bridge, located south of The Plains, was built in 1936 and serves 3,500 vehicles daily.

During the eight-month maintenance project, VDOT contractor McClain & Co., Inc. of Culpeper replaced the bridge’s substandard deck and rehabilitated its abutments, requiring reduction of the roadway to a single lane. Twoway traffic was controlled with temporary traffic signals at each end of the project work zone.

The project was completed by staff of VDOT’s Warrenton Residency for less than $100,000 and in approximately three weeks. Post-construction monitoring shows a desired decrease in backups in the left-turn lane at Opal, where rear-end and side-swipe crashes had become common.

Route 661 Intersection Improvements VDOT contractor General Excavation Inc. of Warrenton completed this $1.74 million intersection improvement project on May 8, three months ahead of schedule.

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Presented at public hearing in May, this rendering depicts a conceptual design for the Route 15/17/29 interchange at the south end of Warrenton.

Construction began in early March to reconstruct the 0.15mile stretch of Schoolhouse Road near Cedar Lee Middle School to address safety concerns and provided improved pedestrian and bicycle access. VDOT realigned the east-west segment of Route 661 and installed stop signs to create a three-way stop. Sidewalks, crosswalks, and a shared-use path were also added to serve students walking to school.

Under Construction Route 15/17/29 Median Closures in Opal CONTRACTOR: General Excavation Inc. of Warrenton CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.7 million COMPLETION DATE: December 11, 2017

Construction began in mid-August on this Highway Safety Improvement Program-funded project to reduce the number of traffic conflicts along Route 15/27/29 north of Opal.

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This phase of construction, to be completed in midDecember, will focus on three crossovers near Quarles Truck Stop. Two crossovers will be closed and the third will be reconstructed to provide directional left-in, left-out access to the truck stop.

Preliminary engineering on a second phase of the project is expected to begin in 2018 and will address a crossover near the East Coast service station and Clark Brothers Gun Shop, as well as additional locations to the north.

In Design Route 15/17/29 Warrenton Interchange A public hearing was held May 9 on the project to replace the current signalized intersection of Route 15/17/29, Route 15/29 Business (Broadview Avenue) and Lord Fairfax Drive with a grade-separated facility. The improvements will enhance safety and traffic flow.

An interchange was envisioned at this location when the Warrenton Bypass was constructed in the 1980s and was partially funded in 2012. The project received the balance

PROJ ECT UPDATES: FAUQUIER CO UNT Y

of its $26.9 million budget in 2016 through the first round of SMART SCALE. VDOT is advancing this project through the design-build method, in which a contractor is selected to both complete the final design and construct the project. A request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in late April, from which VDOT short-listed three teams. These teams received the request for proposals (RFQ) on July 18, with technical proposals due Dec. 7 and price proposals Jan. 11, 2018.

VDOT expects to award a design-build contract in early 2018, with relocation of utilities, clearing and grading work beginning in late summer. The project will be completed in approximately two years.

Rehabilitation of Route 17 Southbound Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad and Route 805 With this project, VDOT will replace the superstructure, including the deck and railings, of the Route 17 southbound bridge that spans the Norfolk Southern Railroad and Route 805 in Bealeton. It also involves widening the existing bridge abutments and piers and rebuilding the approaches.

will take 18 months to complete. Approximately 22,000 vehicles travel this segment of Route 17 daily.

Warrenton Park and Ride Lot Expansion This $900,000 project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, will expand the existing Park and Ride lot at Route 15/29 and Route 605 (Colonial Road) north of Warrenton. Improvements include enhanced lighting, sidewalks and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in October 2019.

Minor Rehabilitation of the Remington Truss Bridge VDOT is planning to advertise a project in early 2018 to rehabilitate the Route 15 bridge that spans the Rappahannock River, connecting Remington to Culpeper County. The truss bridge, built in 1930, is structurally deficient with a significantly deteriorated deck and superstructure and is currently posted with an 11-ton weight limit.

Broadview Avenue Access Management/Frost Avenue

Construction will take place in phases to maintain a single southbound travel lane.

Due to an unanticipated need for additional right of way, construction was pushed back one year to spring 2019 and

During the second round of SMART SCALE, $5.4 million in funding was allocated to the town of Warrenton for two access management projects along Broadview Avenue.

Preliminary engineering is under way on both projects: •

$2.6 million to create safer conditions for turning vehicles and add bike lanes along Broadview Avenue

•

$2.8 million to make improvements at the intersection of Broadview Avenue, Frost and West Shirley avenues

Whiting Road Railroad Crossing Upgrades With this $2 million project, VDOT proposes to construct a segment of Route 622 (Whiting Road) across the Norfolk Southern Railroad for access to the Route 17/66 Industrial Park. After several years with a deficit, additional state money was allocated in July to bring the project to full funding, and design work and coordination with the railroad company has resumed. Construction is tentatively planned for 2021.

Th existing Route 15 bridge over the Rappahannock River has been in place since 1930.

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•

Route 29 at Route 600 (Broad Run Church Road), where a signalized RCUT would reduce red-light time and address a history of rear-end and turning-related crashes at the intersection. VDOT has secured $2.48 million in funding through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program to build the project.

•

Route 29 and Route 676 (Riley Road), where an RCUT would create safer conditions for traffic turning left out of Riley Road. The design reduces the number of conflict points that may cause crashes, as well as minimizes delays for motorists entering Route 29.

•

Route 29 and Route 215 (Vint Hill Road), where the road’s hilly nature limits sight distance of vehicles stopped ahead, resulting in a significant history of northbound rear-end collisions. A SMART SCALE candidate project to shave down the Route 29 grade did not score well enough on the congestion mitigation or safety measures to be funded. Instead, a “Michigan left” concept converts the left-turn movements to right turns paired with downstream U-turns. The current signal location would be eliminated and replaced with signals at the two U-turn locations, which have better visibility and roadway geometry.

Reconstruction of Route 602 Fauquier residents and regular users of Route 29 came out in force to the county’s Sept. 19 meeting showcasing safety and mobility improvement concepts. Photo courtesy of FauquierNow.com.

Proposed Route 29 New Baltimore Corridor Improvements Fauquier County, in coordination with VDOT, held a community meeting Sept. 19 to share a set of intersection design concepts to improve safety and reduce congestion on the Route 29 corridor north of Warrenton.

More than 200 people attended to review plans for these locations: •

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Route 29 at Route 838 (Telephone Road), where a restricted crossing U-turn, or RCUT, would ease traffic flow and improve access into Mill Run Business Park.

The RCUT eliminates left turns from Route 838 and Old Alexandria Turnpike; drivers instead turn right and U-turn at one-way median openings just north and south of the intersection.

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Fauquier County applied through the SMART SCALE process to reconstruct Route 602 (Rogues Road), but the project did not receive funding. Preliminary engineering will continue, using previously allocated secondary-road funds, from Academic Avenue at Kettle Run High School to Watson Drive, to include widening the travel lanes and shoulders for improved safety and drainage.

Locally Administered Route 920 Vint Hill Extension Jointly coordinated by Fauquier County and the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority, construction is ongoing on a road project through the former Vint Hill Farms military complex, which was closed in 1999 through the base realignment and closing (BRAC) process. The $8.2 million project will connect various streets on the base to new roads, incorporating pedestrian facilities and a roundabout for traffic calming.

PROJ ECT UPDATES: FAUQUIER CO UNT Y

Aiken Drive Upgrades

Town of Remington Railway Depot

Preliminary engineering is ongoing on a revenue-sharing project to bring Aiken Drive, a private road, up to VDOT standards for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways. The project is fully funded at $3.5 million, with construction anticipated in 2018.

The town of Remington is planning to renovate its railway depot, which was relocated in spring 2015. The project will make extensive renovations to the outside of the building.

The project is anticipated to be advertised this winter.

Mini-Roundabout at Route 15/29 and Falmouth Street At the intersection of Route 15/29 (James Madison Highway) and Falmouth Street, the town of Warrenton will construct a mini-roundabout for improved traffic flow. Survey work has begun as part of the preliminary engineering process, with construction expected in summer 2018.

The $434,000 project is jointly funded with town and state monies through VDOT’s revenue-sharing program.

Traffic Signal Upgrades The town of Warrenton has begun construction on upgrades to the existing span-wire traffic signal at Blackwell Road and Lee Highway. The project is funded through VDOT’s revenue-sharing program.

Extension of Salem Avenue In May, Fauquier County began design work on the $1.4 million project to extend Route 1006 (Salem Avenue) from its current terminus to connect with Route 55 (West Main Street) in Marshall. VDOT is working with the county to review plans. Construction on the revenue-sharing project is expected to begin in fall 2019.

Transportation Alternatives

Warrenton Branch Greenway and Palmer Trail Extension Design work is under way on a project to expand Warrenton’s network of mixed-use trails. The 1-mile Palmer Extension, part of the Warrenton Branch Greenway, will be built along the old Orange & Alexandria Railway.

The Woods of Warrenton The Woods of Warrenton, a mixed-use trail project, was originally advertised in fall 2015, but due to budget and construction issues, was not awarded. VDOT has worked with Fauquier County to revise bid documents and the project will be re-advertised this fall. The trail will connect to existing trails in the White’s Mill and Warrenton Chase subdivisions.

Pierce Elementary School Connector Trail Fauquier is expected to advertise a project this fall to construct a trail from M.M. Pierce Elementary School to the existing pedestrian bridge over Tinpot Run in the Remington community.

Safe Routes to School: Cedar Lee Middle School The purpose of this project is to construct a multi-use facility for students who walk and bike to Cedar Lee Middle School, located on Route 661 (Schoolhouse Road) in Bealeton. The project was awarded in August and construction will begin this fall.

Learn more about this program on page 9.

Town of Marshall Streetscape Project Fauquier County is working with its consultant to revise plans for a streetscape project along Main Street in Marshall. The project will add sidewalks and landscaping and relocate current overhead utilities underground.

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Recreational Access Program Learn more about this program on page 9.

Recreational Access Road into Fauquier County Sports Complex Fauquier County is planning a new roadway and bikeway from Route 643 (Meetze Road) into the county’s proposed 70-acre community sports complex.

Turn lanes will also be added at the Route 643 intersection.

Fauquier County is currently coordinating with the utility companies prior to advertising the project this fall.

OPAL OPERATIONAL FIX When roadway widening isn’t a favorable option, VDOT employs other measures, such as the traffic signal adjustments recently made in Opal, to bring congestion relief within a corridor’s current footprint.

By installing new traffic signal heads at the Opal intersection, plus dedicated left-turn lanes on Route 17 northbound and on Route 687 (Opal Road), traffic can now make simultaneous left turns from both routes onto Route 15/29.

The result is improved efficiency for about 43,000 motorists who use the intersection daily.

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Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, Rural Rustic Road projects were completed on: •

Route 604 (Burwell Road) from the Prince William County line to 0.1 mile south

•

Route 788 (Tall Cedars Road) from Route 637 (Shipps Store Road) to the end of state maintenance

A project is under way on: •

Route 659 (Fox Groves Road) from Route 651 (Lees Mill Road) to the end of state maintenance

A project is ready for development on: •

Route 607 (Shenandoah Path) from Route 806 (Elk Run Road) to 0.9 mile south

P R O J E CT UPD ATES

FLUVANNA COUNTY

The Route 15/53 roundabout keeps traffic free-flowing near Palmyra.

Recently Completed Roundabout at Route 15 and Route 53 VDOT contractor Haley, Chisholm and Morris Inc. of Earlysville completed this SMART SCALE project on Sept.

16. The $2.7 million project replaced the T-intersection of Route 15 and Route 53 with a single-lane roundabout to improve traffic flow and address safety concerns.

The roundabout lies along U.S. Bike Route 76, a crosscountry route running from Missouri to Yorktown, Virginia.

Based on preference and skill level, cyclists may use the roadway travel lanes or a new shared-use path to navigate the intersection. The path, plus a new crosswalk, also provide pedestrian access.

Under Construction Rehabilitation of Route 15 Bridge over Carys Creek CONTRACTOR: Burleigh Construction Inc. of Concord CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.2 million (both bridges) COMPLETION DATE: December 22, 2017

Construction began in late July to rehabilitate the Route 15 bridge over Carys Creek. A temporary traffic signal is in place to control two-way traffic, which averages 4,850 vehicles daily, while the bridge is reconstructed.

Under the same contract, the Route 230 (Wolftown-Hood Road) bridge over the Rapidan River in Madison County will be addressed.

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Coming Soon

and Ride spaces that are planned to be included in the proposed development north of the intersection.

Pedestrian Accommodations at Route 600 and Slice Road

A $769,000 turn-lane improvement was originally planned at this location to provide increased sight distance for safety, but through SMART SCALE, Fluvanna County received an additional $2.9 million to increase its scope.

Using safety and operational improvement funds, staff of the Louisa Residency will soon begin a project to construct sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps at Route 600 (South Boston Road) and Slice Road near Lake Monticello. Crosswalks and pedestrian-crossing signals will also be installed.

In Design Roundabout at Route 53 and Route 618 On June 13, VDOT held a design public hearing on the project to replace the existing T-intersection of Route 53 and Route 618 (Lake Monticello Road) with a single-lane roundabout. The project was well received and is expected to be advertised in 2019.

The $3.7 million project will include lighting, 5-foot concrete sidewalks in the northeast quadrant of the roundabout and along the south side of Route 618, and a marked crosswalk across Route 618. These pedestrian features will connect the existing JAUNT bus stop in the parking lot of Effort Baptist Church with future Park

Intersection Improvement at Route 618 at Route 600 Design work will begin in early 2018 on a $3.2 million project to add a left-turn lane on Route 600 (South Boston Road) and improve approach sight distance along Route 618 (Lake Monticello Road). The improvements also include wider shoulders to accommodate bicyclists.

Replacement of Route 629 Bridge over Middle Fork Kents Branch A Dec. 13 public hearing is planned to share design plans for the proposed replacement of the Route 629 (Deep Creek Road) bridge over Middle Fork Kents Branch. The 1969 bridge, which carries 130 vehicles daily, was found to have significant deterioration during its latest inspection.

This project will require a full road closure for the year-long construction period, planned to begin in spring 2019.

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

Projects are under way on: •

Route 1101 (Cameron Street) from Route 1109 (Tammany Street) to Route 1103 (Rivanna Street)

•

Route 1102 (Fayette Street) from Route 1103 (Rivanna Street) to Route 1108 (Saint Patrick Street)

•

Route 1103 (Rivanna Street) from Route 6 to Route 1102 (Fayette Street)

•

Route 1106 (Andrew Street) from Route 6 to Route 1102 (Fayette Street)

•

Route 1108 (Saint Patrick Street) from Route 1101 (Cameron Street) to Route 1102 (Fayette Street)

A project is ready for development on: • At Route 53/618, a roundabout will improve sight distance for motorist safety.

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Route 680 (Middle Fork Road) from Route 639 (Long Acre Road) to the end of state maintenance

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GREENE COUNTY

The newly widened Route 607 improves traffic flow approaching Route 29 in Ruckersville.

Recently Completed Intersection Improvement at Route 29 and Route 607 Intersection improvements at Route 29 and Route 607 (Matthew Mill Road) in Greene County were completed on Sept. 6, on time and under budget, by contractor Fielder’s Choice Enterprises Inc. of Charlottesville. The project was the second SMART SCALE project to go under construction statewide. The first — a roundabout at Routes 15 and 53 in Fluvanna County, completed Sept. 16 — was also a Culpeper District project.

The project widened Route 607 to five lanes at its westbound approach to Route 29, providing an additional westbound left-turn lane onto Route 29 south to handle heavy commuting volumes. It also upgraded the traffic signals at the intersection.

Coming Soon Route 33 Guardrail Replacement Work begins this fall on a $986,000 effort to replace outdated guardrail on Route 33 in Greene County within the Shenandoah National Park boundaries, and will be complete by summer 2018.

In Design Route 33 Road Improvement at Route 29 Design work is under way on a $10.1 million project to improve Route 33 in Ruckersville. The project was funded through the first round of SMART SCALE and will address capacity and access management issues. It includes a raised median with crossovers and additional lanes at the Route

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29 intersection. A public hearing is scheduled for spring 2018, with construction following in 2022.

Route 670 Connector Road Design work begins in 2018 on a $5.4 million SMART SCALEfunded project to build a connector road from Route 670 (Preddy Creek Road) to Route 29 to address congestion and safety issues.

Transportation Alternatives Learn more about this program on page 9.

Stanardsville Main Street Pedestrian Improvements

The existing intersection of Route 29 and Route 33 at Ruckersville, where planned improvements will address congestion issues.

Design work is well under way by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission on a project to construct sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps on Route 33 Business (Main Street) at the eastern and western town limits. Construction advertisement is expected in spring 2018.

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

Rural Rustic Road projects are ready for development on: •

Route 624 (Beazley Road) from Route 623 (Rosebrook Road) to 0.5 mile south

•

Route 630 (Rosebrook Road) from Route 810 (Dyke Road) to Route 631 (Haneytown Road)

The Route 670 connector road, approximately a quarter-mile long and built on new alignment, will improve Route 29 access.

PREDDY CREEK ROAD RELIEF Significant residential growth along Route 670 (Preddy Creek Road) has resulted in increasing traffic volumes and several serious crashes. VDOT is working with the Greene County Board of Supervisors, sheriff’s office and residents to identify specific locations where safety improvements can be made. These may include shoulder widening, additional signs and pavement markings as well as a culvert replacement and installation of guardrail.

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LOUISA COUNTY

Lake Anna traffic will benefit from a roundabout at Route 522/208, with its high volume of weekend and holiday traffic.

In Design Construction of Roundabout at Route 522 and Route 208

a $7.5 million project, funded through the first round of SMART SCALE, to relocate Route 767 (School Bus Road) to align with Route 625 (Chalk Level Road) across Route 22/208 and make associated improvements at the intersection, including turn lanes.

By application of Louisa County, this project received $5.4 million in SMART SCALE funding to reconstruct the existing T-intersection of Route 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) and Route 208 (New Bridge Road) as a roundabout.

Funding will be available in 2019 to begin design of the project. Until then, turn-lane improvements completed in fall 2016 are providing better sight distance and improved safety for nearly 10,000 motorists per day. That $448,915 project was funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.

Relocation of School Bus Road to Chalk Level Road In late winter 2018, VDOT will hold a public hearing on

The School Bus Road project will align adjacent Routes 767 and 625 for better roadway geometry and connectivity.

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Roundabout at Routes 250 and 522 In February, a citizen information meeting was held on the proposed construction of a single-lane roundabout at the Route 250/Route 522 intersection at Gum Spring.

The $2.1 million project will address a high crash rate and operational issues, and is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Upcoming milestones include a spring 2018 public hearing and construction start in 2020.

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, Rural Rustic Road projects were completed on: •

Route 665 (Kennon Road) from Route 33 to 0.9 mile north

•

Route 684 (Tavern Road) from Route 618 (Fredericks Hall Road) to the end of state maintenance

•

Route 699 (Indian Creek Road) from 2.6 miles to 3.9 miles west of Route 522

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Route 712 (Buckners Lane) from Route 700 (Johnson Road) to the end of state maintenance

Projects are under way on: •

Frontage Route 189 (Ellis Burris Lane) from Route 607 (Rock Quarry Road) to the end of state maintenance

•

Route 699 (Indian Creek Road) from 3.9 miles west of Route 522 to Route 640 (East Old Mountain Road)

•

Route 1120 (East Sixth Street) from Route 1107 (Louisa Avenue) to the end of state maintenance

A roundabout concept for the Route 250/522 intersection was shared with 45 attendees of VDOT’s Feb. 28 informational meeting.

MINERAL AVENUE, RE-STRIPED This fall, Mineral Avenue will receive fresh pavement and a new traffic pattern. By converting the existing two 18-foot lanes to three 12-foot lanes, including a center lane for dual left turns, through motorists will experience less stop-and-go.

And a bonus: less speeding, as narrower lanes tend to have a traffic-calming effect.

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MADISON COUNTY

The eastbound half of the Route 230 bridge over the Conway River was completed in May; work continues westbound.

Under Construction Replacement of Route 230 Bridge over the Conway River CONTRACTOR: Kanawha Stone Company, Inc. of Nitro, WV CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.99 million COMPLETION DATE: November 20, 2017

Construction is nearing completion on the Route 230 (Wolftown-Hood Road) bridge over the Conway River. The bridge, located at the Madison-Greene county line, was built in 1939 and carries 3,600 vehicles per day.

Two-way traffic is being controlled by temporary traffic signals while the bridge is rehabilitated. In mid-May, crews completed the eastbound side of the bridge and switched traffic to begin working on the westbound side.

Rehabilitation of Route 230 Bridge over the Rapidan River CONTRACTOR: Burleigh Construction Inc. of Concord CONTRACT AMOUNT: $1.2 million COMPLETION DATE: December 22, 2017

Construction began in late July to rehabilitate the Route 230 (Wolftown-Hood Road) bridge over the Rapidan River, located near Route 613 (Kinderhook Road). A temporary traffic signal is currently controlling two-way traffic, averaging 3,000 vehicles daily, while the bridge is reconstructed.

The contractor is performing work under the same contract on the Route 15 bridge over Carys Creek in Fluvanna County.

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In Design Restricted Crossing U-Turn at Route 29 and Route 662 Design work began in fall 2016 on the proposed reconstruction of Route 29 and Route 662 (Shelby Road) as a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection. The $1.8 million project is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and will improve safety by restricting left turns from Route 662.

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, Rural Rustic projects are under way on: •

Route 671 (Forest Drive) from Route 15 to the end of state maintenance

•

Route 675 (Fletcher Road) from 0.2 mile north of Greene County line to the end of state maintenance

•

Route 697 (Bootons Lane) from Route 230 to the end of state maintenance

The crash-prone intersection of Route 29 and Shelby Road will be reconfigured using the restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) design.

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE Madison equipment operator Tony Cooke, pictured right, joined forces with trades technician Dwayne Knowles to turn an idea into reality — and for it, the two received the 2017 Commissioner’s Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Their quick-rinse system for snow removal equipment, which pressurewashes away unwanted salt, sand and grime, saves VDOT time and money on corrosion-related repairs, keeping our equipment on the road and active. And because the runoff is contained, the system also protects the water supply.

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ORANGE COUNTY

The Route 20/231 roundabout is aimed at improving safety at the crash-prone intersection at Old Somerset.

Recently Completed

In Design

Route 3 at Lake of the Woods Way

Construction of Roundabout at Routes 20 and 231

In early spring, VDOT completed a series of improvements at the intersection of Route 3 and Lake of the Woods Way in Locust Grove. The $306,000 effort improves traffic flow and efficiency, especially during morning and evening commutes, with a flashing yellow arrow traffic signal and offset left-turn lanes for visibility.

Instead of a solid green ball, the new signal displays a flashing yellow arrow to indicate that drivers may turn left onto Lake of the Woods Way or Goodwin Drive after yielding to oncoming traffic. A 2003 national study found that the flashing yellow arrow more clearly communicates a message of caution and reduces the risk of left turn-related crashes.

Preliminary engineering is under way on a project to convert the existing stop-controlled intersection of Route 20 (Constitution Highway) and Route 231 (Blue Ridge Turnpike) at Old Somerset to a roundabout. The $2.6 million project is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program and aims to reduce a trend of angle crashes at the intersection. The project concept was presented at a citizen information meeting in June, with 76 percent of attendees supporting the project. A public hearing to share design plans will be held in early 2018.

Route 3/20 Intersection Improvements Preliminary engineering work is under way using Highway Safety Improvement Program funding to install flashing yellow arrow signals at the intersection of Route

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3 (Germanna Highway) and Route 20 (Constitution Highway), as well as offset the left-turn lanes for visibility.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2018.

Route 601 Curve Realignment Design work will begin in fall 2018 on the proposed realignment of the northernmost of two sharp curves along Route 601 (Flat Run Road). The project will realign the road slightly to the west to reduce the angle of the curve. The $1.4 million project is funded through the SMART SCALE program and is expected to reduce the incidence of crashes at this hotspot.

Locally Administered Repaving Various Routes In May 2017, paving began on several routes in the town of Orange using revenue-sharing funds. Greenfields Drive, Red Hill Road and Route 20 (Berry Hill Road/Constitution Highway) from Butler Place to the town limits are all under way and expected to be complete this fall. Milling, paving and reconstruction of Warren Street and Route 15 (James Madison Highway) from the town limits to the end of the median will begin this fall.

Transportation Alternatives Learn more about this program on page 9.

Town of Orange Pedestrian Improvements The town of Orange is currently developing the scope of its streetscape and sidewalk project along Main Street.

Rural Additions Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, two Orange County routes were added to the secondary system of state highways: •

Route 1054 (Flat Run Court)

•

Route 1055 (Rapidan Run Court)

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

Projects are under development on: •

Route 603 (Indiantown Road) from Route 614 (Governor Almond Road) to 1.6 miles west

•

Route 606 (Catharpin Road) from Route 692 (Grasty Gold Mine Road) to Route 608 (Meadows Road)

PAINT A PLOW In 2015, VDOT began a collaboration with schools to decorate the agency’s snow plows. It’s a fun and creative way to connect students to their community, and certainly brightens the view for VDOT’s crews.

Last fall, students of Locust Grove Primary School painted cheerful scenes on two plows, pictured, belonging to the Rhoadesville Area Headquarters. Schools in Louisa County also participated, and this year, VDOT will provide eight more plow “canvases” to students in Albemarle and Greene counties.

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RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY

Beginning in 2018, VDOT will rehabilitate this bridge on Route 211 westbound, just north of Sperryville.

In Design Rehabilitation of the Route 211/522 Westbound Bridge over the North Fork Thornton River In fall 2018, construction will begin on the westbound bridge that carries Route 211/522 over the North Fork Thornton River near Sperryville. Built in 1930, the bridge carries 2,350 vehicles a day, and will receive a superstructure replacement and repairs to its abutments.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, sharing the eastbound bridge.

Rural Rustic Roads Learn more about this program on page 9.

This season, Rural Rustic projects were completed on: •

Route 640 (Battle Mountain Road) from 1.7 miles to 2.1 miles north of Route 729

•

Route 681 (Rolling Road) from 0.5 mile west of Route 231 to Route 600 (Swindler Hollow Road)

Projects are under development on: •

Route 615 (Turkey Ridge Road) from 0.6 mile to 0.3 mile south of Route 617 (Castle Ford Road)

•

Route 636 (Schoolhouse Road) from the end of state maintenance to 0.2 mile north

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Published by the VDOT Culpeper District Office of Communications on October 1, 2017.