TC 10-22-18 Meeting MinutesTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Monday, October 22, 2018
8:30 a.m.
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Committee Members Present: Gary Lofton, Chairman (Voting), Judith McCann-
Slaughter (Voting), Gary Oates (Liaison PC/Voting), James Racey (Voting), Barry
Schnoor (Voting) and Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City).
Committee Members Absent: Mark Davis (Liaison Middletown)
Staff Present: Assistant Director-Transportation John Bishop, Sheriff Lenny Millholland
and Kathy Smith, Secretary.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
1-Transportation Forum: The Fall Transportation Forum will take place on Thursday, October
25, 2018 at the Winchester Regional Airport. There will be refreshments available to Board
Members and guests at 5:00 p.m. and doors will open to the public at 6:00 p.m. with an expected
conclusion by 8:00 p.m.
2-I-81 Corridor Study Mr. Bishop gave an update on the 3rd series of the planned I-81 Corridor
Study meetings that Staff attended on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Weyers Cave, Virginia
and the local meeting on Thursday, October 18, 2018. Staff submitted comments at the meetings.
The beginning of the presentation shows the incidents which lead to this study. The Community
involvement in the meetings has been well attended with the comments and concerns being heard.
An important concern that came out of the meetings was the congestion and safety that comes
with a traffic stop with the slow down/move over law and rubbernecking that takes place in those
incidents. The potential Capital Improvements with a focus on an improvement package with an
approximate cost of $2 billion funded. The projects are evaluated using the Smart Scale program
like process with benefits based at 40% on person hours of delay, 40% on change in crash
frequency and 20% on change in access to jobs. Staff is concerned that particularly with the
proximity of our area to the Inland Port that Economic Development is missing. The potential
improvements not recommended to be funded as part of the project are Exits 313 to 317 that is a
concern for Staff. Staff had the opportunity to address this concern as we believe it is more needed
in these areas than other localities that projects had been funded. Also discussed was the proposed
options for funding the potential improvement sources could include; e.g. tolls or a dedicated
increase in fuel tax. The deadline for public comments on the I-81 improvement plan is
November 30, 2018. A draft resolution will be forwarded to the Committee for review then to
the Board of Supervisor for the November 14, 2018 meeting.
3-Highway Safety Improvement Program: A brief overview of the Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) was given by Mr. David Morris, VDOT’S Staunton District. HSIP
is a Federal Program funding for safety improvements to transportation in the Staunton District.
VDOT analyzes the data and develops maps to indicate where crashes are happening in the areas
of the roadways. VDOT is working closely with law-enforcement to identify problem areas. The
Federal Program will fund shoulder improvements, rumble strips and upgrade the guardrails on
Rt. 37 for the FY 19. Mr. James Racey asked the question about edge lines on rural roadways.
VDOT must have 20 feet for an edge line and 18 feet for a center line, also the traffic count must
be considered.
4-County Projects Updates: Tevis Street Extension/Airport Road/I-81 Bridge: The Board of
Supervisors approved the line item through recommendation of approval by the Finance
Committee for this project. Final comments from VDOT have been addressed on the 100 %
design. Staff is waiting final plan clearance. Final plats have been received and distributed to
VDOT, County Attorney and the County’s private partner for approval and signature. Upon final
plan clearance, bid tabulations will be finalized and the bid package will be advertised.
Renaissance Drive: The County’s consultant advised that the 30% and an updated cost estimate
is expected within the week.
Northern Y: Currently, 30% design underway.
Coverstone Drive: No activity currently.
Jubal Early Drive Extension and Interchange with Route 37: No activity currently.
5-Upcoming Agenda Items: November: Capital Improvement Programs, Non-Hard Surface
Road paving program with maps.
TBD: Oakdale Crossing Traffic Calming Study.
6-Other:
The Sheriff asked that officials reach out to Delegates about the safety issues of distracted drivers
to outlaw the use of a cellphone while driving in support of the hands-free law would be
beneficial.
Judith McCann-Slaughter asked about warning signal lights on Old Charlestown Road and Route
11. The traffic study has been completed. VDOT is looking at alterative solution.
Also, Judith McCann-Slaughter asked VDOT about signage on Rt. 37 onto Rt. 11 North. VDOT
is planning to visit that location after the meeting to address the issue.