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Transportation Forum 11-30-16 Minutes Transportation Forum November 30, 2016 Held in the Board Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia. SUPERVISORS PRESENT: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman; Gene E. Fisher, Shawnee District; Robert W. Wells, Opequon District; Gary A. Lofton, Back Creek District; Judith McCann-Slaughter, Stonewall District; Blaine P. Dunn, Red Bud District. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Gary R. Oates, Stonewall District. PLANNING STAFF PRESENT: John A. Bishop, Assistant Planning Director Transportation; Candice E. Perkins, Assistant Planning Director; M. Tyler Klein, Planner; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Assistant. OTHERS PRESENT: Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrator; F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr., Staunton District Representative Commonwealth Transportation Board; Delegate of the 33 rd District, Dave LaRock; Delegate of the 10th District, Randy Minchew; Delegate of the 29th District, Chris Collins; Randy Kiser, Staunton District Engineer VDOT; Cliff Balderson, Edinburg VDOT Residency Administrator, Cliff Balderson. ------------- CALL TO ORDER Assistant Director Transportation, John A. Bishop welcomed everyone and requested introduction of the panel of individuals at the dais which included: Judith McCann-Slaughter; Gary Lofton, Dave LaRock, Bob Wells, Randy Minchew, Dixon Whitworth, Chris Collins, Cliff Balderson, Randy Kiser, Gene Fisher, Charles DeHaven, and Blaine Dunn. ------------- OPEN FORUM DISCUSSION Citizens were encouraged to come forward to discuss any transportation related items and voice their concerns. A gentleman spoke in regards to public transit to and from LFCC and the long length trips. Delegate Chris Collins noted there is a Committee being put together to address the situations with public transportation to LFCC. In regards to the unpaved Laurel Grove Road, there were nine (9) citizens that came forward with their concerns and comments. The concerns were relatively consistent with one another to include: safety of the road due to lack of visibility with all the dust, pot holes, washb oard areas, loose gravel. The citizens expressed the need for a more permanent solution to the repairs rather than simple grading of the road with does not last. A citizen noted the safety concerns for the school buses that travel this road on a daily basis. Another citizen noted that other roads such as Carter Lane and Pack Horse Road have been moved up on the list but Laurel Grove remains the same, going nowhere. Edinburg VDOT Residency Administrator, Cliff Balderson addressed the citizens’ concerns. Mr. Balderson explained it is no secret Laurel Grove Road is in desperate need of repair. He noted last year he made a commitment to make improvements to this road and by the reactions it does not appear to be up to par. Mr. Balderson continued until the funds are available more drastic improvements cannot be made unless Frederick County approves to move Laurel Grove Road up on the list for paving. He explained there is the need for non-hard surface secondary road improvements funds and this continues t o be a work in progress. Staunton District Engineer, Randy Kiser noted there is more money being put into unpaved road dollars and this is a positive thing and ordinary maintenance is keeping old roads in good shape. A citizen commended the hard work that has been put into this meeting. He lives in the vicinity of Welltown Road and expressed his concern of the growing traffic issues in this area. He suggested opening Welltown Road to truck traffic. Randy Kiser commented the Route 11 and Welltown Road projects are due to get underway in the spring. A citizen came forward with concerns regarding the heavy traffic on Greenwood Road. He explained the Sulphur Springs Road and Greenwood Road intersection is a hazard and there is on average one accident a week on Greenwood Road. Delegate Randy Minchew inquired if Greenwood and Sulphur Spring Roads are on the list for repair. Cliff Balderson noted it is in the mix to restructure Sulphur Springs Road which will in turn alleviate some of the concerns on Greenwood Road. Two citizens voiced their ongoing concerns with the traffic situation in Oakdale Crossing. These concerns continue to be: large volume of traffic daily; no sidewalks; passage way between Route 50 and Senseny Road; roughly 4,300 trips per day thru this subdivision; need for a traffic signal. A citizen raised concerns with the increased traffic on North Hayfield Road. She noted this has become a connector between Route 50 and Route 522. Another citizen came forward regarding concerns with the high volume of traffic on I-81. He noted another concern is the difficulty getting in and out of Opequon Church Lane. He concluded by complimenting the work at Exit 310. Delegate Chris Collins thanked everyone for coming and for providing comments. He commented roads tend to be on everyone’s radar and this discussion this evening is appreciated. Delegate Randy Minchew inquired are there any plans for other connections between Route 50 and Senseny Road. Chairman DeHaven noted Channing Drive is the only connector. Assistant County Administrator, Kris Tierney explained Inverle has been in the minds for years however the landowner has no interest in dedicating the right-of-way. Supervisor Fisher commented he feels the traffic calming measures will be helpful in Oakdale Crossing. Mr. Fisher continued if Sulphur Springs Road and Greenwood Road are improved then Oakdale Crossing should see improvements also. John Bishop offered an update on the traffic calming study; the Board of Supervisors has requested a traffic calming study through VDOT with one of the requirements being Frederick County provides count data which has been contracted through the MPO and Mr. Bishop expects these counts to take place very soon. In addition to these counts they are also using camera stations at Route 50 entrances to establish a good number of how much cut through traffic we’re dealing with. Supervisor Wells feels the roads being discussed from a safety stand point are legitimately unsafe and maybe the list can be adjusted. Staunton District Representative of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, F. Dixon Whitworth Jr., presented a brief overview of Smart Scale. Mr. Whitworth explained in 2015 legislature passed a comprehensive transportation funding bill which put a new perspective on how transportation is funded; this went concurrent with a HB2 bill which says there must be some sort of prioritization which is devised and publically aware with which projects within our state for transportation are given a waiting of priority. The HB2 prioritization has evolved into what is referred to as Smart Scale. He continued the projects that are being submitted are scored and then prioritized within Districts and within the State. Mr. Whitworth noted there are currently 436 applications and Frederick County has nine (9) of those applications. Chairman DeHaven asked for additional comments and thanked everyone for coming. A citizen spoke regarding Carter Lane and the safety concerns. She noted the road traffic has increased and speed is always a factor. She concluded she would like to see Route 37 continued. Supervisor Lofton thanked everyone for coming which included the VDOT representatives and our Delegates. The Transportation Forum concluded at this time.