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TC 08-26-19 Meeting Minutes1 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Monday, August 26, 2019 8:30 a.m. 107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA ATTENDEES: Committee Members Present: Gary Lofton, Chairman (Voting), Judith McCann- Slaughter (Voting), Gary Oates (Voting), James Racey (Voting), and Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City). Committee Members Absent: Barry Schnoor (Voting) and Mark Davis (Liaison Middletown). Staff Present: Assistant Director-Transportation John Bishop, and Kathy Smith, Secretary. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY: 1-Brucetown Road (Rt.672)-Truck Restriction: Staff gave an overview of a Citizen’s requests related to Brucetown Road from the July 29, 2019 Transportation Committee meeting. Those requests included the potential relocation of the Carmeuse entrance to Route 11 and a weight restriction sign on the bridge over the Opequon Creek. Those items will require a submission by Carmeuse with the additional investigation by VDOT. The other item the Citizen requested was a restriction of through truck traffic on Brucetown Road. Staff gave the most recent recorded traffic count by VDOT for Brucetown Road as follows: • Route 11 to Quarry Lane: 2,700 AADT with 12% (324) 3 axle trucks and 6% (162) trucks with trailers; • Quarry Lane to Sir Johns Road: 1,900 AADT with 2% (38) 3 axle trucks and 0% trucks with trailers; • Sir Johns Road to Rocky Ford Road: 1,400 AADT with 2% (28) 3 axle trucks and 0% trucks with trailers; • Rocky Ford Road to Shady Creek Road: 870 AADT with 3% (26) 3 axle trucks and 1% (9) trucks with trailers. Staff reported that based on the count data, the most significant truck activity is from Quarry Lane to Route 11, however, a truck restriction would only apply to through trucks, so a truck restriction to Brucetown Road to Route 11 to the Clarke County Line would not apply to the significant majority of these vehicles. Also, truck restriction requests require a proposed alternative route. Staff would be concerned that while the proposed alternative route would likely be Route 340 to Route 7, this would not stop trucks from simply traveling to other secondary routes in Frederick County such as Old Charlestown Road. 2 Upon a motion by, Mr. Gary Oates and seconded by Mr. James Racey the Committee recommended not to direct Staff to prepare an application packet for the Board of Supervisors. The vote passed with Ms. Judith McCann -Slaughter against. 2-Armel Road (Route 642)-Speed Limit Reduction Request: Staff has received a resident request to reduce the speed limit on Armel Road from the Clarke County line to Route 522. A speed study was conducted in 2016 as requested by a resident and it was determined a speed limit of 55 mph with warning signs in some locations where curvature was present. The speed limit continues to be a concern to the residents in the area. Staff reached out to VDOT and the Sheriff’s Office, they do not have an issue with the speed limit. Mr. Pinto, a resident, spoke of the concern with the intersection of Armel Road and Kitchen Road and requested it be changed to a 3-way stop. Mr. Ed Carter of VDOT suggested having the Traffic Engineering Department conduct and evaluate the potential 3-way stop. By consensus, the Committee agreed to have VDOT move forward to evaluate the intersection at Armel Road and Kitchen Road for a 3-way stop. 3-Transportation Forum: The Committee set the date of the Transportation Forum for Monday, October 28, 2019. Staff has heard back from most of the VIP’s that can be in attendance that evening. Staff is waiting for word from Congresswoman Wexton, if she’ll be able to attend. The Forum is planned to follow the same schedule as last year. 4-Planning Update: Recently, Staff attended a Long-Range Transportation Plan (VTrans) Regional input session that was held at the George Washington Hotel. VTrans is a gate keeper for the SmartScale funding program. Staff was able to voice their opinions on key concerns at this input session that affect Frederick County in the rankings. The concerns are that Communities across the State are being determined on needs with being ranked compared to other more congested areas traffic issues. Staff will continue to address the concerns as they study the projects. Staff has been working with the Regional Commission MPO with updating the Long-Range Vision list in reviewing projects and cleaning up the list. 5-County Projects Updates: Crossover Boulevard aka Tevis Street Extension/Airport Road/I-81 Bridge: The notice to proceed was issued to Perry Engineering on May 14, 2019. Construction is ongoing on the site and Staff is establishing a website for citizens to review details of the projects and photos of the progress. Renaissance Drive: Staff has received the 30% design comments and is finalizing the MOU with CSX for the at grade crossing. Northern Y: Staff has meet with the private partners. Further discussion to come with the private partners as they are still evaluating, if to continue with the project. Jubal Early Drive Extension and Interchange with Route 37: No activity at this time. 3 6-Upcoming Agenda Items: SmartScale (ongoing discussion and development) Transportation Forum TBD: Oakdale Crossing Traffic Calming Study. VDOT will update the Committee at the next meeting. 7-Other: Staff received a request from a Citizen to reduce the speed limit on Route 11 north of Stephens City. Staff has forwarded the request to VDOT. Speed samples have been completed by VDOT. The sample data shows that less than 3% are over at least 5 mph on the 55-mph speed limit and that 30% are over more than 10 mph on the 45-mph speed limit. This was not a speed study; the data will be forwarded to the Sheriff’s Department for review. Mr. Ed Carter of VDOT, responded that the corridor will be reviewed to see if a more constant speed limit can be achieved.