TCMinutes2023October23TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Monday, October 23, 2023
8:30 a.m.
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Committee Members Present: Judith McCann-Slaughter Chairman (Voting), Gary Oates
(Voting), Shontya Washington (Voting), Josh Ludwig (Voting), Kevin Kenney (Voting) and
Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City).
Committee Members Absent: Charles DeHaven, Jr. (Voting).
Staff Present: John Bishop, Assistant Director and Kathy Smith, Secretary.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
Valley Mill Road Realignment Study: Doug Kennedy, Pennoni gave a presentation to the
Committee on the results of the Valley Mill Road Operations Feasibility study. The purpose of the
study was to assess traffic and safety for Route 7 at I-81 Northbound ramp at exit 315, to
determine the best access scenario to accommodate future development for Valley Mill Road
south of Route 7, evaluate coordination of Gateway Drive extended for impacts south of Route 7
and to be able to establish a concept plan alternative for future funding applications.
Route 37 (Eastern Frederick Transportation) Update: Brian St. John, McCormick Taylor the firm
conducting the study on behalf of the County, updated the Committee on the study progress.
Currently, the firm is working on the traffic analysis, a web map has been created for sharing and
inventory information. The updated versions of the draft public engagement plan, social media,
website, and press release has been completed and will be available within the week. The first
meeting for more broad public involvement will be at the November Transportation Forum for
input and no build results.
Ready Set Go Grants Opportunity: Staff updated the Committee on a grant opportunity through
VDOT for the project development purposes. The Ready, Set, Go Grants that VDOT provides
support in developing projects for the next round of Transportation Alternatives funding.
County Project Updates: Renaissance Drive: The County’s contractor, W-L Construction and
Paving Inc., has largely been engaged in site preparation and the structural fill date. The updated
agreements with CSX have been executed by the County and forwarded to CSX for final execution.
To date the new agreement has not yet been finalized.
Gainesboro Road/Route 522 Intersection Project: The signal justification report has been
updated per VDOT request and forwarded back and is undergoing additional modification at the
request of VDOT. The Board has adopted the resolution of support, and the Frederick County
School division has likewise submitted a letter of support for a traditional signalized intersection
which has been shared with VDOT.
Other: Staff updated the Committee on the MPO application that was applied for through Safe
Streets and Roads a grant program. The application was successful, and Staff looks forward to
working more closely with McCormick and Taylor who has been awarded the project.
Mark Merrill, CTB spoke on the I81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) projects along with the
Smartscale application changes that had been discussed at the Virginia Governor’s Transportation
Conference in October. The CTB will be voting on those Smartscale proposed changes at the
December meeting.
Ed Carter, VDOT gave an overview of the I81 exit 317 and Redbud Road realignment phase process
that needs to be completed before the project can start the construction. The design phase is
currently underway with a construction estimate timeframe for FY2025.
dentification of potential uses