Read this: 4 Smart Scale iniative transportation projects in Botetourt County
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors agreed to submit four project applications to Virginia’s Smart Scale initiative when the Board met on July 26.
Smart Scale is Virginia’s method of scoring and prioritizing transportation projects. The purpose is to fund the right transportation projects through a prioritization process that evaluates each project’s merits using key factors, including: improvements to safety, congestion reduction, accessibility, land use, economic development and the environment. The evaluation focuses on the degree to which a project addresses a problem or need relative to the requested funding for the project.
Local governments can submit up to four applications per funding cycle. Generally, projects stem from extensive planning efforts through partnerships with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Regional Commission. The projects are sent to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for consideration.
The county’s four projects are:
1) US 220 access management/Park & Ride – AT to Commons Parkway
This project will provide pedestrian accommodations on both sides of US 220 from the Appalachian Trail to Commons Parkway, providing a safe alternative for pedestrians to cross US 220 at a designated signal. Additionally, a new Park & Ride lot will be built roughly behind Goodwill that includes additional parking and better facilities.
2) US 220 Access Management – US 11 to Appalachian Trail
This project was conceptualized from a Project Pipeline study done through the state’s Office of Intermodal Planning and investment. The project reviewed the corridor, including traffic counts and accidents. VDOT and County staff worked together to propose some improvements, which went out to public comment through an online survey operated by our VDOT partners. This project proposes sidewalk and multi-use path on either side of US 220 from US 11 up to the Appalachian Trail. This will be done around ongoing efforts to improve the Exit 150 interchange.
3) Rt. 779 Appalachian Trail Improvements
This project proposes to add pedestrian accommodations for hikers of the Appalachian Trail to safely cross under I-81 along Valley Road. It has been developed with support from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Roanoke Outside Foundation and in coordination with our partners at VDOT who have provided engineering work.
4) US 220 Superstreet
This project proposes to convert several crossovers along Route 220 in front of Lord Botetourt High School to “Restricted Crossing U-Turns” (R-CUTs) to provide what is called a “superstreet” concept. In this configuration, minor cross-street traffic is prohibited from going straight or left at a divided highway intersection. This is intended to reduce congestion and improve safety along the entire corridor. More information about R-CUTs and the superstreet concept can be found here: https://virginiadot.org/info/innovative_intersections_and_interchanges/rcut.asp
These projects will be evaluated and scored over the next few months, and we should find out about funding decision in January of 2023. None of these projects are expected to go to construction before 2029.
*Information from Botetourt County Director of Communications Tiffany Bradbury*
