Board reaffirms support for Route 151/6 roundabout SmartScale application

The Board of Supervisors voted to reaffirm Nelson County’s support for a SmartScale roundabout project at the intersection of Routes 151 and 6 and adopted a resolution to that effect. Staff summarized the public‑hearing input for the project: “It talks about the comments that were made at the public hearing. It says 48 comments were received. 39 were to support the project. 6 were to oppose the project. And 3 were undecided,” the presenter said, and observed that 148 individuals signed in at the public hearing and that turnout was one of the highest the presenter had seen. Supervisors said they expected the roundabout to relieve congestion and improve safety at a heavily trafficked intersection. One supervisor moved approval and the board then conducted a roll‑call vote; the minutes record the measure as approved. Why it matters: The project addresses local traffic and safety concerns at a known congestion point; continued board support is typically necessary for grant programs and ranking in VDOT’s SmartScale process. Next steps: The county will keep the SmartScale application in the queue in coordination with VDOT and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission; additional design and right‑of‑way steps will follow VDOT processes if the grant is awarded.