VDOT updates county on maintenance, secondary six‑year plan; Forest Green residents seek state takeover of entrance

A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) representative updated Northumberland County supervisors on routine spring maintenance, ongoing surface‑treatment work and a near‑completion bridge job, and presented the county's secondary six‑year plan for projects on secondary (600‑numbered) roads.

VDOT reported recent work including pothole and shoulder repairs, ditch cleaning in Greenwood Beach, and surface treatments and cape seals scheduled on Oak Ridge Avenue and other county roads. The agency said final walk‑throughs on Bushmill Creek are nearly complete and the road should reopen within a week.

On the secondary six‑year plan, VDOT explained funding sources (telefees and a small district grant for unpaved roads) and how counties use the program—most counties hard‑surface state‑maintained gravel roads with telefee funds. VDOT staff said the county should advertise the plan and hold a public hearing next month so supervisors can prioritize projects; supervisors voted to authorize that public hearing and the advertisement.

During public comment, Forest Green subdivision resident Gary (Gary Woodford) asked the board to support a VDOT takeover of the subdivision entrance (about 1,200 feet). Woodford described repeated, deep potholes on the entrance, increased delivery-vehicle traffic and construction, and said homeowners fund limited maintenance ($300 per lot; about $4,300 annually). He presented cost estimates he received: a VDOT rural‑rustic hard‑surfacing estimate of roughly $100–$120 per linear foot (about $120,000–$144,000 for 1,200 feet) and an estimated $10,000 design cost. Woodford asked the county either to fund construction directly so work could happen this year or to provide interim funds (roughly $8,000 for gravel and a crown) while the county pursues the state revenue‑sharing program.

VDOT's David Beal confirmed the project would fit revenue‑sharing eligibility and said the program's construction schedule can be two to six years out, depending on competition and prioritization; he said an application window remains open through June and the county could submit a pre‑application. Supervisors agreed to consider the request and to add the topic to next month's agenda; the board also voted to authorize the VDOT secondary‑plan public hearing and to request advertisement of that hearing.

Supervisors and VDOT also approved a board motion to request a speed study on Nights Run (the board voted in favor), and the board was encouraged to report downed or missing traffic signs via the county's customer service number.

Board members asked VDOT to follow up on several specific ditches, pipes and road segments mentioned during the meeting.