TC 02-24-20 Meeting MinutesTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Monday, February 24, 2020
8:30 a.m.
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Committee Members Present: Judith McCann-Slaughter, Chairman (Voting), Gary Oates
(Voting), James Racey (Voting) and Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City).
Committee Members Absent Mark Davis (Liaison Middletown) Cordell Watts (Voting)
and Charles DeHaven, Jr. (Voting).
Staff Present: Assistant Director-Transportation John Bishop, and Kathy Smith,
Secretary.
ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
1-Bridge Closure for Reconstruction-Back Creek Road (Route704): Ed Carter, VDOT discussed
the request, to close and detour Back Creek Road (Route 704). The closure would last
approximately four (4) months with the detour to be five (5) miles an approximately 180 vehicles
per day. The detour of five (5) miles would be inconvenient to the local traffic with the closure.
However, this will be less costly and time consuming than installing a temporary bridge. The
project is in the design phase with no projected start date.
Upon a motion by, Gary Oates and seconded by, James Racey the Committee recommended to
forward the closure of Back Creek Road (Route 704) to the Board of Supervisors for
recommendation of approval.
3- Smartscale Discussion with VDOT: Terry Short, VDOT, joined the meeting via
teleconference giving an overview of the changing environment of SmartScale, as well as,
applications for the next round of SmartScale.
Staff recommended the following SmartScale Applications for the next round:
1. Modified Round three (3) Application at Exit 317 NB Ramp, including dual NB/NB left
turn lanes, dual receiving lanes on NB on-ramp
2. Shawnee/Opequon Intersection Improvement Project*
3. Old Charlestown/Route 11 Roundabout*
(The signalization that is scheduled to be installed in late Spring or early Summer is
only going to be a temporary fix).
WinFred MPO (on behalf of Frederick County/City of Winchester) intends to make
application for the following projects High Priority Program (HPP):
1. Major interchange improvement project at Exit 317
2. Shawnee/Opequon Intersection Improvement Project*
3. Route 7 STARS Improvements
NSVRC intends to make application for the following:
1. Old Charlestown/Route 11 Roundabout*
2. Potential additional Route 7 Stars application
Applications with an "*" are intended to ultimately apply under the HPP only.
The SmartScale pre-application window will be opening in March with the final applications due
in August. The current rules allow the County four(4) applications and additional four (4)
applications for qualifying projects through the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the
Regional Planning District Commission. After much discussion the Committee agreed with
Staff’s recommendation of the proposed SmartScale applications. The Committee will be kept
updated on the progress.
Upon a motion by, Gary Oates and seconded by, James Racey the Committee recommended
that the Board authorize Staff to proceed with pre-applications.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
2-Metropolitian Planning Organization (MPO) Project Update: The Committee was updated
on the Route 11 North Exit 317 and the Route 7 STARS area study that are being completed
through the MPO. Staff gave an overview of the upcoming public input for the Route 11 North
study. For the study, VDOT will be using an online visual survey company known as MetroQuest.
The survey responses will be important so that the collected data can be inputted for the
SmartScale applications. The County will utilize social media and news releases to get the
information out to the public once the survey goes live.
4-County Projects Updates: Crossover Boulevard aka Tevis Street Extension/Airport Road/I-81
Bridge: Bridge beams have been placed and the project is continuing to move forward.
Renaissance Drive: VDOT has completed their review of the 60% plan and the County’s
consultant is addressing the comments. An updated design review agreement has been
received from CSX and has been reviewed by Staff.
5-Upcoming Agenda Items: SmartScale (ongoing discussion and development), MPO Study
progress and awaiting the memo for the Oakdale Crossing Traffic Calming Study that was
discussed at the January Transportation Committee Meeting.
Other: VDOT gave a brief update on the Old Charlestown Road intersection signalization. VDOT
has received preliminary engineering plans that showed the road improvements, however, it did
not show the traffic signals, comments will be forwarded to the engineering firm to revise the
plan to include all the improvements. The Snowden Bridge Development will be responsible for
all stages of the installation with VDOT’s approval. The signal is tentatively scheduled to be
installed in late Spring or early Summer.