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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCMinutes2025May12TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Monday, May 12, 2025 8:30 a.m. 107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA ATTENDEES: Committee Members Present: Josh Ludwig Chair (Voting), Heather Lockridge (Voting), Brandon Monk (Voting), Mollie Brannon (Voting), Robert Liero (Voting) and Donald Capps (Voting). Committee Members Absent: None Staff Present: John Bishop, Assistant Director and Kathy Smith ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Route 7 Safety Upgrades Agreement: Upon a motion made by Heather Lockridge, seconded by Brandon Monk the Committee recommends Staff to execute the Route 7 Safety Upgrades Agreement as presented. Staff gave an overview of the agreement that will allow Frederick County to move forward with safety upgrades to Route 7 at its interchange with Exit 315 and the intersection with Valley Mill Road. This project will extend turning lanes that access the I-81 Northbound ramps and Valley Mill Road. These lanes regularly experience spillovers which adds to capacity restrictions on Eastbound Route 7. This project will be funded by County safety funds previously budgeted and utilizing VDOT forces. In addition, this project will be done in sequence with another VDOT funded safety project at the intersection of Valley Mill Road and its eastern Intersection with Route 7. That project will also improve turning safety for vehicles accessing Valley Mill Road and restrict left turns from Valley Mill to westbound Route 7. Rail Access Grant Endorsement: Upon a motion made by Heather Lockridge, seconded by Robert Liero the Committee recommends for the Board of Supervisor adopt the Resolution endorsing the Rail Access Grant application to the Department of Rail and Public Transit. Staff presented materials and a draft Resolution for consideration in offering the endorsement of a Rail Access Grant application to the Department of Rail and Public Transit for improvements associated with a rail spur to the Winchester and Western Railroad from a scrap metal recycling facility on Ebert Road. This will require no County funds. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY: Interstate, Primary and Secondary Road Plan Update: Staff presented the draft Interstate, Primary and Secondary with only a few minor updates from last year. Staff started with the Interstate Road Plan with the removal of the paragraph under the I-81 Improvements that were related to the language for Eastern Route 37 study. It was suggested to update the language for the “potential for rail transportation as a component of the Interstate 81 corridor improvements” Staff are in support of the rail transportation as more of a focus on getting freight trucks off the corridor. The Primary Road Plan only revisions are additions for clarity. Staff continued with the Secondary Road Improvement Plan overview with the major road improvement projects that will have minor changes. It was suggested to consider adding Vaucluse Road to the unscheduled no- hard surface Road improvement projects because of the recent Conditional Use Permit that had been approved by the Board of Supervisors earlier in the year. After much discussion, it was suggested not to be added at this time. Upon a motion made by Heather Lockridge, seconded by Brandon Monk the Committee recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the 2025-2026 Interstate, Primary and Secondary Improvement with revisions. Pre-Applications Update for Revenue Sharing and Transportation Alternatives: Staff updated the Committee on the progress of the Pre-Applications that have been submitted. This is the Pre- Application phase and will continue through the summer until the final deadline in the fall with the Board of Supervisors adoption. County Project Updates: Renaissance Drive: CSX has been on site and actively installing their portion of the rail crossing. VDOT is in the process of scheduling upgrades to the signal equipment that was installed in Phase I of the Renaissance Drive project under their maintenance contracts. At this point all work is expected to be completed by late summer. Other: Upcoming CTB meeting is on May 15. Staff will be attending, and the Committee is welcome. VDOT Updates: VDOT Staff gave an update to the Committee on the request for potentially lowering the speed limit to 45 mph on Route 277, the most recent safety analysis had no changes from the previous data. A section of Armel Road recently got a speed deduction to 45 mph.