Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors ask VDOT for baseline traffic counts after toll removal; VDOT provides project updates
Summary
Board members asked Virginia Department of Transportation to collect baseline traffic counts on Route 17 after nearby toll removal to monitor potential population and traffic changes; VDOT reported progress on multiple county projects including a Route 615 sidewalk and a Route 17 RCUT expected by December 2025.
Following the recent removal of tolls on a nearby facility, Gloucester supervisors asked the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to establish baseline traffic counts and coordinate future monitoring to assess whether the county will experience population growth and traffic increases.
Supervisor Doctor Orth and others raised concerns that toll removal could change travel patterns and possibly create growth pressure. Doctor Orth suggested the board consider a retreat or study session to identify indicators — traffic counts, building permit trends, realtor inquiries — that would document whether growth is occurring and what measures the county might take to manage it. VDOT’s Lee McKnight responded that he had already discussed traffic counts with county staff and committed to get traffic engineering involved to provide current and seasonal baseline counts, noting some counts can be requested and scheduled around summer travel patterns.
VDOT updates: Lee McKnight briefed the board on several local projects. Highlights included: - Route 615 sidewalk project from Dunston Hall to Gloucester High School: construction progressing as prioritized in the secondary six-year plan. - Route 17 at Route 610 intersection: an RCUT (restricted crossing U-turn) project underway, with traffic switched to outside lanes to allow median work; completion is projected in December 2025. - Birk Mill Stream bridge rehabilitation: bridge completed and open; median asphalt removal work remains with fall completion expected. - Route 17 northbound bridge replacement over Dragon Run (Middlesex/Gloucester county line): projected to begin early 2026; when closed northbound traffic will be routed both directions on the southbound bridge while work proceeds.
Why it matters: supervisors said reliable baseline traffic data will help determine whether policy changes, zoning, or targeted interventions are needed to preserve the county’s rural character. They also emphasized coordinating counts after the summer peak and again once long-term road projects like the Route 64 improvements finish.
Board direction: McKnight agreed to follow up with traffic engineering to provide baseline counts and later updates; staff and certain board members suggested the county host a retreat to discuss growth indicators and response options.
