TC 10-26-20 Meeting MinutesTRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT to the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Monday, October 26, 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).
Committee Members Absent Mark Davis (Liaison Middletown) Charles DeHaven, Jr.
(Voting) and Cordell Watts (Voting) Lewis Boyer (Liaison Stephens City).
Staff Present: Assistant Director-Transportation John Bishop and Kathy Smith, Secretary.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
1 – Route 7 STARS Study Update: Staff gave a brief overview to the Committee on the status
and progress of the Route 7 STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) Study
that is being completed by Michael Baker and utilizing MPO resources. The STARS study is for
improvements on small projects for a low cost. The area being discussed is at the Greenwood
Road Interstate to Pleasant Valley Road in the City of Winchester. The study showed a lot of
crashes around the Valley Mill Road and I81 corridor area. Also, the study showed that in the
area of Millbrook Drive and First Woods Drive that those roadways are going to work better
together with a focus on the left turn lane into Millbrook Drive, while removing the left turn lane
at First Woods Drive into the school with the opposite being done on the other side of the
roadway with no left turn at Blossom Drive and Millbrook Drive any longer. This study gave Staff
what was needed for one of the Smartscale applications, even though it did not give the results
for some of the larger applications. The study is in the process of being finalized.
2 – Sheriff’s Office Request for Speed Signs: The Sheriff’s Department has asked the Committee
for consideration to be able to procure electronic speed signs through VDOT funds for safety
projects in Frederick County. These electronic speed signs would be attached to the existing
speed limit signs in areas of concern to increase driver awareness of their speed. The sign would
display the actual speed and flashing a strobe if the speed is exceeded. The signs would also
gather traffic and speed data while in place. The cost of the units would be approximately
$2559.00 per unit and any required maintenance would be the responsibility of the Sheriff’s
Department. After much, discussion the Committee unanimously agreed to procure up to six
electronic speed signs.
3 - County Projects Updates: Crossover Boulevard aka Tevis Street Extension/Airport Road/I-
81 Bridge: The recent work has been focused on the Roundabout as well as the intersection of
Route 522, Crossover Boulevard and Airport Road. This has caused some temporary lane
closures as the project has progressed.
Renaissance Drive: The most recent round of comments has been received from CSX and VDOT.
Staff and the engineer will have a follow up meeting scheduled with CSX and their consultant
AECOMM on October 27, 2020 to discuss possible alternatives.
4-Other: Capital Improvement Program: Discussion at the next meeting.
Project Prioritization Discussion: Continuing the discussion in the next few months.
VTrans Update: The VTrans is ongoing with VDOT with a statewide plan update again. This is
important to the County as they are the gatekeeper for the Smartscale applications for funding.
The Committee was updated on an issue with incorrect stripping at Old Charlestown Road that
was quickly corrected once the contractor was contacted by VDOT. Also, Staff is working with
VDOT on a concern for the crosswalks due to the increased pedestrian’s traffic at the Jordan
Springs Elementary along Flyfoot Drive. The crosswalk improvements are planned to start this
week per VDOT.