Virginia Department of Transportation

Buck Mountain Road project in Clearbrook

Information meeting held 17 March 2005 at Clearbrook Elementary School

To: VDOT
State Project: 0679-080-314, PE101, RW201, C501, B691, B694
Date: 27 March 2005

Greetings:

On 16 January 2005, I wrote to VDOT suggesting the extension of Buck Mountain Road (679) as far as Stable Road (766). I am glad to see prompt action.

At its 17 March 2004 meeting, VDOT presented some diagrams of the proposed realignment and extension of Buck Mountain Road (679). The horizontal plan contained some of pertinent information. Unfortunately, I saw no contour lines and no existing or proposed road profile. I had to wait until I got home to look at <http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=11&Z=17&X=1481&Y=10294&W=1>.

The current curve on Buck Mountain Road (679) approaching the intersection with Franklin Road (US 220) is considered substandard, although some of us who use it regularly find it easier to navigate than Merriman Road (613) or Hunting Hills Drive (1541). Relaxing the curve within the 500-600 feet of the vacant Miller parcel would bring the curve closer to standard, although I don't know how close.

I noticed that Buck Mountain Road (679) could be curved to the left just south of the Apple Valley Motel to meet Franklin Road (US 220) a short distance to the north of the current intersection, then continued across the edge of James Walker's land (where a car dealership is under construction) to meet Stable Road (766). Grading and sight lines may complicate this arrangement, although the absence of relief diagrams made it difficult to tell.

Mr. ____ of VDOT led me to believe that VDOT chose not to encroach on the edge of a then-undeveloped portion of the James Walker commercial lot (now a car lot under construction), preferring to raise one or more houses on Buck Mountain Road (679). If that is what happened, then it calls into question who VDOT is working for. My understanding of government's purpose is to make the world better with minimal adverse impact. So if it is possible to make improvements without demolishing buildings, that is what I would expect. Is that an erroneous concept of political science? Incidentally, I do not understand how the Walker lot can house a car dealership, as the lack of sight lines between the building and many of the cars will provide cover for thieves.

For the long term, grade separation of busy intersections may be the most economical and effective way of reducing points of congestion within the corridor. If that is what the future holds, then spending money and effort to regrade and realign roads to make them meet at grade may make the ultimate construction more difficult. It appears that Buck Mountain Road could be routed to curve to the left just south of the Apple Valley Motel, continue through an underpass below Franklin Road (US 220), continue just south of the James Walker car lot, and intersect Stable Road (766) at a right angle. The current intersection could be reconstructed into a southbound exit and entrance, which could curve through the vacant Miller land to meet Buck Mountain Road (679) at a right angle. The section of Stable Road (766) south of Buck Mountain Road (679) could serve, with some realignment, as a northbound exit. As for the cars turning north from Buck Mountain Road (679), I wonder if the longer section of Stable Road would be adequate to provide an entrance; if not, there would still be spare land to work with.

The plan shows a future path of Buck Mountain Road (679) heading directly toward Buck Mountain Road. How much land is that road supposed to serve? How will it connect with existing roads? Will it reach Yellow Mountain Road (668)?

When I suggested extension of Stable Road (766) to Clearbrook Drive (674) and Indian Grave Road (675), forming a marginal road that would allow local vehicular and non-vehicular traffic to circulate away from through traffic, VDOT indicated that it was not possible. Apparently, a creek would have to be crossed, as it was by Clearbrook Drive (674) before the bridge was removed.

In any case, I brought up the possibility of widening the right-of-way to allow room for the marginal road. I was told that the owner of the land, Mod-U-Kraf homes, would not want the encroachment of a marginal road. Yet it makes more sense that the model homes, now located on narrow frontage at the end of a dead-end street, would appreciate in commercial value if cars could conveniently reach them from the highway. Has anyone actually looked into the cost and benefit of a marginal road?

I was told that the county rather than the state would be responsible for building a sidewalk from the intersection past Clearbrook Elementary School to the Kingery Brothers Country Store. How much space must be provided between the sidewalk and the roadway? Can pedestrian safety be considered adequate without a sidewalk?

Has there been any study of providing a Blue Ridge Parkway exit in Starkey?

Yours truly,

(name omitted)