Residents, supervisors press for guardrail, safety work on county roads; public works lists maintenance progress

Multiple residents and supervisors used the Sept. 9 meeting to press county public‑works staff for safety fixes on secondary roads and to request studies of guardrail and other safety measures. Public commenter Chris Campbell told the board he has been nearly hit twice on Sandy Flats Road and urged the board to move the road higher in the six‑year plan; Campbell said, "I don't wanna lose my life on that road." Supervisors also requested study of a guardrail need on Christiansburg Pike near the Little River bridge and asked staff to look for available state safety funding and chevron signage for other curves. David, a public‑works staff member who briefed the board, reported a major push to remove storm debris, completion of primary mowing, work on secondary mowing, brush cutting, gravel road patching, and other routine maintenance; he listed recent projects and said crews are beginning turnaround and right‑of‑way work. Supervisors identified specific troubled roads (e.g., Diamond Dom/Diamond Island, Wilson Cemetery area, Sunny Ridge, Duncan Valley and other arterials), reported recurring pothole complaints and asked for follow‑up on culvert settling where crews had recently replaced pipe. Several supervisors also requested snow‑plow readiness and dust‑control work for unpaved roads. Board members suggested inviting the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or local game biologists to a future meeting to discuss large bear populations and their effects on trash sites and livestock. The board did not take formal action but directed staff to study guardrail options for Christiansburg Pike, to follow up on the Sandy Flats scheduling in the six‑year plan, and to continue road surface and drainage maintenance.