VDOT to hold public hearing on Route 220 intersection improvements; county alerted to mowing status and a fatality review

Lisa Hughes, representing the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), told the Henry County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28 that the Commonwealth Transportation Board recommended additional funding for two improvements on Route 220: intersection improvements at the U.S. 220/Route 87 junction and a separate segment from the bypass down to Marlborough Circle.

VDOT will hold a public hearing on the projects on Thursday, Nov. 7 (the packet and Hughes’ remarks specify a 5–7 p.m. session at Drew Mason) to gather public comment required by the Code of Virginia before the projects can be added to the six-year plan.

Hughes said VDOT’s seasonal mowing program is about 80% complete for the year and acknowledged the agency is reviewing circumstances surrounding a recent fatality near a Dollar General; she said such reviews can take time and may result in recommendations but are not always quick. A board member also reported constituent concerns regarding Kimberly Road and Brambleton Road; Hughes said her office had not received calls on those particular road conditions and encouraged residents to contact VDOT with specific locations.

Why it matters

The public hearing is a required step to allow VDOT to consider adding the Route 220 projects to its six-year plan; if funded and programmed, the projects could lead to design, right-of-way and construction phases that affect traffic flow and local access. The fatality review may inform safety countermeasures at the location under review; VDOT staff did not announce specific design changes at the meeting.

Ending

VDOT’s public hearing offers an opportunity for residents to comment on both proposed Route 220 improvements; the board and staff encouraged affected residents to attend and to notify VDOT of local road-condition concerns.