Vdot news - Novmber 7

TRAFFIC ALERT FOR WEEK OF November 5-9, 2007

Highway work zones in the Staunton District



The following is a list of highway work that might affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. The Staunton district is comprised of 11 counties, Alleghany, Bath , Rockbridge, Augusta, Highland , Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke. Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.


AUGUSTA COUNTY

Interstate 64

* Mile marker 93 to mile marker 95 – Alternating lane and shoulder closures at the underpass on Route 834 (Hickory Hill) and over railroads at mile marker 95 due to cleaning and painting bridge 24 hours a day Sunday through Saturday, except from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 3.



Interstate 81

* Mile marker 205 to 237 – Debris pickup on November 7. Bridge sweeping with left lane closure Monday through Friday.

* Mile marker 214 to mile marker 218 – Guardrail installation with right shoulder closures southbound from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* (NEW) Various locations – Guardrail installation. Alternating lane and shoulder closures. Flaggers on-site. Work is 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.

* Various Bridges – Bridge deck maintenance, northbound and southbound, one lane closure, Monday night through Friday morning from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.



Primary Roads

* Route 11 – Debris pickup from Staunton City limits to Route 647 on November 7.

* Route 250 – Minor delays due to trucks entering from Route 636 between Route 637 and Route 358 and from Route 1390 (Westminster Drive) between Route 608 and Route 1360.

* Route 262 – Debris pickup from Interstate 81 to Route 11 on November 7.

* Route 285 – Debris pickup from Interstate 64 to Route 250 on November 7.

* Route 340 (Rosser Avenue) – Trucks entering from work site from Route 608 to Route 1501 for paving on Rose Avenue with flagger traffic control during daylight hours.



Secondary Roads

* Route 608 – Debris pickup from Route 340 to I-64 November 7.

* (NEW) Route 613 ( Old Greenville Road ) – Ditch installation. Southbound lane closed from Greenville Farm Lane to Loch Drive , November 5 and 6. Flagger traffic control.

* Route 620 – Tree trimming from Route 11 to Route 252.

* Route 631 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to Route 664.

* Route 636 – Tree trimming from Route 285 to Route 250.

* Route 637 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to Route 250.

* (NEW) Route 640 – Tree trimming from Route 285 to Route 250.

* Route 647 – Debris pickup from Route 11 to Route 648, November 7.

* Route 648 – Debris pickup from Route 647 to Route 608, November 7.

* Route 652 – Tree trimming from Route 608 to the end of state maintenance.

* Route 657 – Tree trimming from Route 340 to Route 1205.

* Route 675 – Tree trimming from Route 11 to Route 693.

* Route 750 – Patching from Route 11 to Route 256 with one lane traffic using flagger traffic control.

* Route 778 – Patching from Route 777 to Route 608 Monday and Tuesday with one lane traffic using flagger traffic control.

* Route 816 – Ditching south of Route 742, one lane closure using flagger traffic control.

* Route 817 – Tree trimming from Route 701 to Route 613.

* Route 834 – Alternating lane and shoulder closures due to cleaning and painting of bridge with flagger traffic control Sunday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* (NEW) Route 834 – Tree trimming, Route 631 to Route 634.

* Various Roads – Mowing, shoulder repairs, brush cutting, scraping dirt roads.

* (NEW) Various roads – Bridge maintenance.



VDOT AWARDS PROJECT TO IMPROVE ROUTE 767 IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY



STAUNTON – On October 31, Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner David Ekern approved a contract valued at $694,618.75 to improve Route 767 in Rockingham County .

The contract was awarded to R.W. Harris Excavating Inc. of Madison Heights .



The project includes widening the road and providing a hard surface for approximately 1.25 miles of Route 767, extending from 0.1 mile west of Route 42 to Route 910. The pavement will be 18-feet wide with two-foot shoulders. Cross pipe and entrance pipe installation at several locations along the project will help drainage in the area. The project will also enhance driver visibility in some areas by reducing hills and curves.



The Staunton District serves Clarke, Warren , Page, Frederick , Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta , Highland , Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Bath counties.



Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones. For further information on the location of work zones throughout the state, call the Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD. Traffic alerts and traveler information can also be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. TTY users can call 711 to obtain these services. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.


NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR I-66 EXIT RAMP AT LINDEN

Three way-stop at Route 79 and I-66 westbound exit ramp



The Virginia Department of Transportation will be changing the traffic pattern at the Interstate 66 Linden interchange located at exit 13. A new three-way stop will be installed at the I-66 westbound off-ramp at its intersection with Route 79/F870. The new traffic pattern will begin on November 13 and serve as an interim measure for approximately one year until a new traffic signal can be installed at this location.





According to VDOT traffic engineers, traffic exiting westbound I-66 at exit 13 is backing up onto the interstate main travel lane during the afternoon peak period of 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is due to the heavy volume of westbound off-ramp traffic headed southbound on to Route 79 and headed northbound on to F870. The new three-way stop is anticipated to reduce delays at this location by allowing traffic exiting the interstate to have enhanced opportunities to turn onto Route 79 and F870.



Traffic volumes at this location exceed 900 vehicles during the afternoon peak hours.



Travelers in this area should use caution as motorists adjust to the new traffic pattern.

VDOT SCHEDULES PUBLIC HEARING FOR I-81 TRUCK CLIMBING LANE

IN ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY



STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a public hearing on the location and design of a truck climbing lane proposed for northbound Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County . The meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 8, from 4-7 p.m. at Fairfield Elementary School , located at 20 Fairfield School Road in Fairfield .



The meeting will be held in an open house format. Citizens may attend at their convenience to discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Garrett W. Moore, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 2249 , Staunton , VA 24402-2249 . Oral comments can be recorded at the hearing with the assistance of a court reporter.



The proposed project extends from mile marker 195.1 to 202.5 northbound on I-81 near Fairfield . At the public hearing, citizens can review the proposed construction plans that show major design features as well as the required environmental documentation for the climbing lane.



This project is in line with a resolution passed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in October 2006 that directed VDOT to implement a program of safety improvements to I-81, including construction of truck climbing lanes. About a dozen locations along steep grades on I-81 have been identified where climbing lanes would improve traffic flow and safety, with the Rockbridge location being a top priority for construction.



In 2007 the average traffic volume on I-81 in this area was 43,700 vehicles per day. The average traffic volume is projected to increase to 68,650 vehicles per day by the year 2029.



Total estimated cost of the project is $81.6 million, including $8.1 million for preliminary engineering, $901,000 for right-of-way acquisition and $72.6 million for construction.



During the public hearing, citizens may review information on potential property impacts and the tentative construction schedule. Also available will be information concerning the potential effects of the proposed project on properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800.



After the hearing, comments and suggestions received from the public will be taken into consideration in finalizing the design of the climbing lane. Later this year, the project is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the CTB for approval. Right-of-way acquisition could begin in early 2008 with construction to follow.