TCMinutes2022October24TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Monday, October 24, 2022
8:30 a.m.
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Committee Members Present: Judith McCann-Slaughter Chairman (Voting), Kevin
Kenney (Voting), and Shontya Washington (Voting).
Committee Members Absent: Shawn Graber (Voting), Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens
City), Charles DeHaven, Jr. (Voting), and Gary Oates (Voting).
Staff Present: Assistant Director, John Bishop and Kathy Smith, Secretary.
ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
SmartScale Application Funding: Staff gave an overview the SmartScale application funding
since VDOT has contacted Staff regarding the possibility of advancing a portion of the local
commitment that was a portion of the local SmartScale applications as follows: Exit 317 DDI:
$4,277,548 (full local leveraged funds is $6,525,894), Exit 313 Partial median U-turn, $2,134,318
(full local leveraged funds is $3,043,974), Route 522/Costello Intersection, $1,129,180 (full local
leveraged funds is $1,430,130). These funds would be used to advance the engineering of these
projects (only for successful applications) ahead of the current projected schedule resulting in
lower total cost and accelerated project delivery. The SmartScale application results in actual
funding for approximately five (5) to six (6) years following the approval. If the County agrees to
provide funding from their agreed upon match earlier, it has the impact of advancing overall
project by allowing engineering to be completed utilizing local funds prior to the VDOT funds
becoming available. Staff gave the Committee an example, on the Exit 317 project, this has the
impact of advancing the project by 3 years since the estimates for that project assume 3 years
of Preliminary Engineering (PE). The time savings has the additional benefit to the application of
reducing the overall project cost because it results in fewer years of project cost inflation.
Project cost inflation is required to be included in any application. Removing years of project
cost inflation through this process also makes the project more competitive due to the positive
impact on overall cost. Staff gave an example of what the cost would be for each project. Staff
is seeking a recommendation from the Committee to the Board of Supervisor to authorize a
letter of commitment to fund PE in FY 24, prior to 8/1/2023. The letter be added to the
SmartScale applications for the above referenced projects with additional follow up actions that
will require to finalize the actual payment at the appropriate time. The Committee
recommended that Staff update the language on the Exit 317 to the Diverging Diamond
Interchange (DDI) for clarity.
Upon a motion by, Shontya Washington seconded by Kevin Kenney the Committee
recommended to authorize Staff to provide a letter of commitment to fund the Preliminary
Engineering in FY24 to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
Route 37 Study Update: Staff gave an update on the Route 37 with the selection of a consultant
for the Phasing and Feasibility study. Staff and VDOT representatives interviewed two (2) firms.
McCormick and Taylor were selected for the project. Staff has an upcoming kick off meeting
with the firm’s representatives to work out the details.
Transportation Forum: The Transportation Forum is to be held on November 10th in the Board
of Supervisors Room. The forum will follow the same pattern as in the past. The keystone of
the forum will be the Route 37 Phasing and Feasibility Study, MPO and other guest speakers.
County Project Updates: Renaissance Drive: Staff has the draft deed for right-a-way easement
through the property with the needed changes. Currently, Staff is working on the drainage
license.
Gainesboro Road/Route 522 Intersection Project: Staff has finalized scoping of the Signal
Justification Report with Timmons, the contractor that is completing that study for the County.
The draft signal analyzes suggest the best location for the light would be the Gainesboro Road
and Route 522.
Other: Lt Warren Gosnell Sheriff’s Office representative spoke to the Committee on a speed
limit reduction for Back Mountain Road. The current 55 mph speed is a public safety concern
for 8-mile stretch of the Roadway. A speed limit reduction would slow the driver’s pace as they
make the curves and would allow the Sheriff’s Office to initiate more traffic stops to enforce the
speed limit. The Committee recommended to have a discussion that would involve VDOT
representatives, members of the Sheriff’s Office, State Legislators as well as Board of
Supervisors to address the concern.