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Committee asks VDOT for SmartScale assistance for Route 1–207 project ahead of round 7
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Summary
The committee voted to ask the Fredericksburg VDOT district for technical assistance on a SmartScale reapplication for the Route 1–207 corridor and to pursue the full corridor project in the next SmartScale round, with staff to seek right‑of‑way commitments and leverage funding.
Caroline County’s transportation advisory committee on Sept. 3 voted to request VDOT assistance and to recommend pursuing a SmartScale application for the Route 1–Route 207 corridor in the next funding round.
Committee members instructed staff to ask the Fredericksburg District for technical assistance to refine estimates, confirm traffic data, and help prepare a pre‑application for SmartScale round 7. Staff said the pre‑application portal opens March 1, 2026, and recommended jurisdictions request VDOT district support by Sept. 12 so the district can re‑examine estimates and project scope.
Staff explained SmartScale scores projects with an equalized $10 million denominator; leveraging local funding or right‑of‑way dedication reduces the county’s ask and improves scoring. The presentation showed the Route 207 project previously scored about 5.5 after equalization and ranked fifth in the district; staff noted a leveraged local contribution of roughly $2.7 million in the prior round would have increased that score to about 7.
VDOT staff and committee members emphasized that any right‑of‑way dedication used as leverage must be “tangibly dedicated” (deed in hand) at the time of application; a proffer on paper is insufficient for scoring. The committee discussed possible sources of leverage: developer proffers, right‑of‑way dedications tied to pending rezoning, or county funds. Staff also noted VDOT intends to prioritize projects that reduce contingency and risk, and the district will reduce hands‑on assistance for brand‑new proposals compared with ongoing studies.
After discussion, Mr. Long moved that the committee request VDOT assistance and recommend the Route 1/Route 207 SmartScale submission; the motion passed with a second from Mr. Street. Staff were directed to request VDOT’s help by the September deadline, to collect any in‑hand ROW dedications and to report back with a project package for the board of supervisors.
Ending: The committee voted to pursue VDOT assistance for a SmartScale reapplication for the corridor and to marshal leverage (ROW, proffers, local funds) to improve scoring and reduce the county’s cash ask.
