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Supervisors press VDOT, residents over striping, slurry and safety on local roads
Summary
Floyd County supervisors and residents pressed state and county officials about striping, slurry-seal work and dangerous intersections, citing specific problems on Route 221, Connor Grove Road and near the high school; board members said they will seek safety money or include projects in the six-year plan.
Several Floyd County supervisors and residents pressed officials on Oct. 14 over recent Virginia Department of Transportation work, saying striping choices and slurry-seal applications left primary roads with surfaces that concern drivers and local leaders.
“Major portion is in my district and it is — I just don't understand how a major thoroughfare like 221 warrants just a slurry seal,” Supervisor Bechtold said, citing public complaints about the Route 221 treatment and the need for a deeper pavement. She added the slurry seal made the road rough and said the treatment was a disservice to motorists and their tax dollars.
Multiple speakers flagged Connor Grove Road as especially hazardous at night and in fog and said state striping criteria (a 500-car-per-day minimum) left some county roads without center lines. “It is so important that the middle line is absolutely important,” one supervisor said, citing a recent crash on the route.
Board members discussed traffic changes at the high school and elementary-school access points; they said altered curb/sidewalk and lane configurations have caused unexpected traffic bottlenecks and near misses. Chairman Turner said he would speak with relevant staff about adding right-turn lanes or pursuing safety funds and the board flagged the issue for the six-year road plan.
Supervisors asked staff to seek clarity from VDOT on reflector placement, striping methodology and whether slurry-seal projects included chip-seal or other surface prep. Several urged contacting state representatives and VDOT to press for pavement and striping decisions that reflect local safety concerns.
Ending: The board directed staff to continue conversations with VDOT, to collect more local data and to pursue potential safety funding or inclusion in the county’s six-year road plan.
