Loading...
TC 02-22-21 Meeting MinutesTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Monday, February 22, 2021 8:30 a.m. 107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA ATTENDEES: Committee Members Present: Judith McCann-Slaughter, Chairman (Voting), Charles DeHaven, Jr. (Voting), Cordell Watt (Voting), Gary Oates (Voting) and James Racey (Voting). Committee Members Absent: Shawn Graber (Voting), Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City). Staff Present: Assistant Director-Transportation John Bishop, and Kathy Smith, Secretary. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY: 1-Pedestrian Accommodations Along Valley Mill Road: Supervisor Dunn received a request from a citizen for a sidewalk extension along Valley Mill Road. Staff discussed the area and the distance between the existing pedestrian walkways that is approximately 520-680 feet. One crash has been reported since 2013. That accident took place in 2014 and alcohol was listed as a contributing factor. Staff noted that potential cost would be variable depending on the factors such as right of way, type of material, crosswalks, and drainage. After much discussion, it was recommended to investigate different options such as a group of volunteers to get in contact with the school board for permission to work and clean the area to make it more of a walkable area since the County has many of these under laying sidewalk concerns. Also, discussed was the safety issue within the area with increased pedestrian traffic in a very highly traveled area. 2- SmartScale Scoring Discussions: Staff gave an overview on the recommended funding scenario for the SmartScale that was presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board in January. An analysis was presented and discussed with the Committee on the applications that the County had submitted for the exit 317 on I-81, with northbound ramp realignment to Redbud Road and the interchange improvement project for the exit. Also, the Winchester- Frederick County Metropolitan Organization (MPO) applied for the Route 11 Old Charlestown Roundabout and Exit 317 Interchange through the MPO. These projects which are major priorities have not been recommended for funding by the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment. The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will make a final decision in June. Staff was encouraged to keep working with VDOT and for the bigger picture with a better understanding of the process. The Committee recommended for a resolution to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on February 24, 2021 requesting review of the SmartScale program scoring and implementation. The Board of Supervisors did adopt that resolution at their February 24, 2021 regular meeting. 3-County Project Updates: Crossover Boulevard aka Tevis Street Extension/Airport Road/I-81 Bridge The project progress continues with no issues to report. Staff has met with our private partners with potential development and construction access to the property. Renaissance Drive: Staff is continuing with communication with CSX regarding solutions to the drainage issues on the project. Once an agreement is reached on the least costly approvable (by CSX) project cost estimates will be updated for the Committee and Board of Supervisor discussion. 4-Other: Staff explained that the new signal at Charlestown Road has had a few issues with loose wires falling. This issue has been mostly during recent very windy days. VDOT will continue to work with the constructer to address the problem.