16 January 2005

VDOT

Thank you for providing me this opportunity to address the
series of projects described at the 5 January 2005 meeting in
Rocky Mount. Here are some comments and questions regarding
those and related matters:

1. Beyond extension of guardrails, what can be done to make
the trip on Virgil Goode Highway (US 220) past Fork Mountain
safer?

2. A dynamic message sign at the split between the bypass (US
200) and Main Street (US BUS 220) south of Rocky Mount will
provide short notice to drivers that they should change course.
Seeing it, some may change lanes abruptly. They may collide
with other drivers, especially those distracted by the sign.
Nearsighted drivers might slow down to read the sign. Because
the content will sometimes surprise even daily commuters, the
sign might be better placed where it will have less competition
for attention. Wherever there is such a sign, a stopping area
should be provided on the shoulder for drivers who cannot read
well, so they can take their time reading in safety.

3. There are green refuse boxes on the east side of Virgil
Goode Highway (US 220) just south of Bonbrook Mill Road (635)
in Wirtz. Vehicles approaching from the north must overshoot
the location by some distance to turn around at the first
median cut. A closer median crossing would reduce the miles
traveled by many vehicles, saving a considerable amount of
fuel. Can a convenient median cut be provided? Would it be
better to relocate the boxes, perhaps to a greater distance
from the Blackwater River?

4. Pedestrians walking between the Cannaday food store and the
rest of the Boones Mill business district have only a narrow
shoulder to walk on. A sidewalk of sufficient width for a baby
carriage should be provided at this location.

5. Northbound traffic approaching the proposed traffic signal
at Boones Mill Road (T-684) descends a long hill at high
speed. To prevent collisions, warning of the intersection
should be provided far in advance. Are there any additional
measures that can be taken to protect the public?

6. How expensive would it be to extend Bethlehem Road (T-739)
via an overpass across Virgil Goode Highway to Main Street
(T-1603)?

7. Near the Franklin-Roanoke county line, just south of the
former Greer Trading post, I have noticed erosion undermining
the left edge of the southbound roadway. What is being done to
replace the earth under the road, to prevent the pavement from
sagging and cracking?

8. Crowell Gap Road (657) has a long, curvy downhill slope
leading to its intersection with Franklin Road (US 220). The
intersection itself has limited sight distance. There should
be some safe, simple way for vehicles from Bandy Road (666) to
continue southbound. What can be done to make the intersection
safer? How expensive would an overpass be?

9. Can Buck Mountain Road (679) be extended to Stable Road
(766)?

10. Can Stable Road (766) be extended beyond Franklin Road (US
220) to connect to Clearbrook Road (674) and Indian Grave Road
(675), allowing local vehicular and non-vehicular traffic to
circulate away from through traffic?

11. The traffic signals at Buck Mountain Road (679) and Indian
Grave Road (675) should be coordinated to minimize
interference with through traffic, at least in the evening
when the Clearbrook School is closed.

12. Regarding a location "0.34 mile south of Route 674
(Clearbrook Lane)", the brochure is ambiguous and confusing.
It is not clear which intersection with Clearbrook Lane is
intended. The chart mentions "extend southbound left turn
lane" and "allow only left turns from the northbound lane" by
installing a concrete median. If only northbound left turns
are to be allowed, why provide a southbound left turn lane?

13. Pedestrians walking through the Clearbrook business
district (between Indian Grave Road 675 and Kingery Brothers
Country Store) must use the roadway or a soft shoulder. A
sidewalk is needed all the way to Buck Mountain Road (679).

14. There is a car lot under construction at the awkward
hillside location formerly occupied by the Buck Mountain Inn,
at Franklin (US 220) and Stable (766) Roads. There are reasons
to stop this development from proceeding in its current
configuration. December's fatal three-vehicle collision on that
block of Franklin Road (US 220) indicates that there must be
some safety problem at this location. The curb and median cuts
to serve the dealer are on a grade near horizontal and vertical
curves. The location appears unsafe for entering or leaving the
road, especially when used by customers test-driving unfamiliar
cars. The curb and median cuts on Franklin Road (US 220) should
be closed. If necessary, access can be provided via Stable Road
(766). Future plans to realign or bypass Franklin Road (US 220)
make it prudent for the state to purchase the land to hold down
the cost of acquisition. Because placing this land under state
control will have some positive and little negative
environmental impact, the administrative obstacles should be
cleared out quickly. What does the state have to do to acquire
this land and eliminate these conflict points?

15. Crossbow Circle (1290) and Pheasant Ridge Road both slope
downward to reach Franklin Road (US 220). Instead of a grade
intersection, these local roads should employ an overpass over
the highway. Northbound drivers who now must brake hard on a
downhill slope to stop at a red light might be able to proceed
to a level section of road before braking. Northbound turning
traffic can use the intersection immediately to the north,
between the restaurants. Southbound turning traffic would need
new ramps. Wal-Mart once offered to pay for an interchange at
Valley View. Perhaps the retailer can contribute that money
for this overpass instead.

16. Valley Avenue (862) should be extended one block east of
Franklin Road (US 220) to Southern Lane, providing residents
of Southern Hills access to the proposed signalized
intersection.

17. Halfway up the entrance ramp from Electric Road (VA 419)
to Franklin Road (US 220) is a sign mentioning a prohibition
on bicycles and pedestrians. By the time it can be seen, a
cyclist has already entered the ramp. What it one to do?
Turning back would be no better than proceeding. The reason
for the sign is unclear. The ramp is the safest way for a
cyclist to head south from Electric Road (VA 419). It leads to
a surface road, not an expressway. The builder who has cleared
the formerly scenic hillside above the ramp should install a
sidewalk and a bike path. Non-vehicular traffic should be
directed to the proper route.

18. Is there an overall plan to provide for through traffic,
cross traffic, local traffic, trucks, cars, buses, trailers,
pedestrians, bicycles and trains in this and similar
corridors? If not, how can such a plan be initiated? How much
would it cost? How much could it save?

19. If new or expanding businesses were required to provide
marginal access roadways, would that add to safety and
capacity of highways? At which location should that
construction be mandated? Are there other locations where the
land should be dedicated, without immediate construction? Are
there locations where it would be helpful for local
governments to zone yard setbacks so that future widenings
would not encroach on buildings? Is there now an incentive for
local governments to encourage building in the path of future
roads and road widenings, reasoning that, the more VDOT must
demolish, the greater the state contribution to the local
economy?

20. I would like to see the interstate highway that runs
between Hollins and Glenvar (Interstate 81) named for Martin
Luther King Jr. I have been told that only the state can name
that road. If it is true that only the state can name roads,
why have Orange Avenue, Challenger Avenue, and Blue Ridge
Boulevard (US 221/460) been given different names? Is there a
reason why Roanoke County cannot name the portion under its
jurisdiction? If private citizens name the road without
government authorization, are they subject to prosecution?


I would like to send copies of this correspondence to any
other government officials or agencies that need to be aware
of it to implement my recommendations. Can you help me
determine who should see it?

Yours truly,