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VDOT outlines secondary 6-year plan; Madison supervisors pick tar-and-chip surface treatment and set public hearing timeline
Summary
VDOT presented the secondary six-year plan and cost estimates; the board signaled support for surface treatment (tar-and-chip) on most roads to stretch grant dollars and set a May 13 target to return for a public hearing ahead of the June 1 deadline.
The Virginia Department of Transportation updated the Madison County Board of Supervisors on the secondary six‑year plan during the March 11 meeting, and county leaders agreed to pursue surface treatment for most priority gravel roads to extend available grant dollars.
VDOT representative Miss Shepherd said preliminary design and environmental review milestones are underway for several projects and presented revised cost estimates showing substantial savings when using surface treatment instead of asphalt on multiple segments. Shepherd told the board that a recent legislative change may allow funding for less‑than‑paving improvements and that those changes affect project selection.
Board members discussed project timing and the available but unallocated grant balance of $357,738. VDOT outlined the priority schedule and multi‑year funding plans for several roads — including Whipple Road, Walker’s Mill Lane, Turner Drive, Tom Johnston Road, Mount Zion Church Road, Wright’s Lane and the remaining segment of Emmett Road — and noted Emmett Road’s first segment was paved last year and the board requested the remaining segment be paved to match the earlier work.
Supervisors and VDOT staff agreed the county should wait for final guidance on the recent funding legislation before adding new roads to the program and set a target to hold the plan’s public hearing on May 13 so the board can meet the June 1 deadlines VDOT recommended. VDOT also confirmed that planned overnight closures for bridge work on Courtney Hollow Lane will allow emergency vehicle access.
Miss Shepherd emphasized that surface treatment reduces upfront costs but may have shorter service life under heavier truck traffic compared with full asphalt; VDOT staff said asphalt lasts longer but surface treatment can be appropriate for low‑volume local roads. Shepherd recommended field verification of candidate roads now classified by traffic counts so the county can finalize priorities.
The board directed staff to work with VDOT to finalize a draft plan for a public hearing in May and to return with any needed updates before the June 1 target date.
