STAUNTON - In an effort to enhance interstate safety, the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton district will selectively remove trees closest to the highway on Interstates 64, 66 and 81.
The work will be done in the early spring of 2007, followed by a beautification plan in fall of 2007 to plant redbuds and dogwoods outside the clear zone. Additionally smaller seedlings will be planted with locations coordinated with local governments and civic groups.
The VDOT Staunton district 2006 records show for interstate crashes involving fixed objects, which include trees: 46 percent (602 out of 1318) of interstate crashes involved fixed objects off the roadway; 51 percent (214 out of 417) of interstate crashes resulting in injury involved fixed objects; 58 percent (11 out of 19) of fatal interstate crashes involved fixed objects; and 43 percent (337 out of 882) of interstate crashes with only property damage came from fixed object crashes.
The tree removal operation is one of several programs, coordinated along I-81 with a regional citizen safety committee, to improve safety along the interstate system in the Staunton district. In late summer 2006 a safety service patrol was established along I-81 in Augusta County and along I-64 in Augusta and Albemarle counties. At the conclusion of paving projects, older four-inch wide pavement markings are being replaced with six-inch wide highly reflective pavement marking material. At various locations guardrail is being upgraded to new crash standards set by the Federal Highway Administration. Rumble strips along the shoulder are also part of interstate safety improvements.
The VDOT Staunton district interstate system includes I-64, I-66 and I-81 in Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren, Rockingham, Augusta, Rockbridge and Alleghany counties.
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