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Steering committee approves Williamson Road reconfiguration; six-month trial of center turn lane and protected bike lanes planned
Summary
Roanoke27s Envision Williamson Road steering committee voted to reconfigure lanes to add a center turn lane and protected bike lanes in both directions. A six-month trial of new road markings is scheduled to begin this fall under a USDOT Thriving Communities Program initiative.
The Envision Williamson Road steering committee voted to pursue a lane reconfiguration that would use existing roadway space to add a dedicated center turn lane and protected bike lanes in each direction, officials told the Roanoke City Council on May 19.
The plan, part of a U.S. Department of Transportation Thriving Communities Program project, follows months of community feedback and staff study. City officials said the redesign aims to improve safety along the corridor for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Council materials and the project team describe the change as a reallocation of existing lanes rather than widening the roadway. The steering committee voted to implement new markings under a six-month trial scheduled to launch this fall; the trial will allow staff to collect data and community input before any permanent restriping.
Supporters cited safety improvements and multimodal connectivity. The steering committee and project staff emphasized the trial period as a way to evaluate real-world impacts and to adjust designs if needed. No specific funding figures or a firm timeline for permanent installation were given in the meeting recap.
