Board adds Clark Road to VDOT six‑year plan, allocates funds for rural-rustic improvements

New Kent County approved a draft allocation for VDOT’s Secondary Six‑Year Improvement Program on April 14 and directed staff to add two local projects: Clark Road (rural‑rustic improvements) and Crumps Mill Road right‑of‑way improvements.

Transportation staff told the board the county will receive telecommunication‑fee funds totaling $53,775 annually for six years (total $322,650) and unpaved-road district grant funds of $5,579 annually (total $33,476); combined draft program funding for the six‑year program is $356,626. Using savings from prior six‑year allocations, staff proposed directing $208,217 to Clark Road as the board’s highest priority rural‑rustic project and reserving $273,885 for Crumps Mill improvements once right‑of‑way is acquired. The board approved the allocation document and a resolution to designate the Clark Road segment as rural‑rustic.

Supervisor Pearson noted some residents oppose paving Clark Road; staff responded rural‑rustic designation helps control cost and maintenance while still improving access and public-safety response. Transportation staff said VDOT will consider speed limits and that rural‑rustic designation typically preserves a lower design standard.

Board members thanked VDOT staff members who assist with plan development and asked staff to continue community outreach. The resolution and allocation document are subject to final action by the Commonwealth Transportation Board later in the budget cycle.