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Board reaffirms support for Route 151/6 roundabout; public urges withdrawal of Oak Ridge/Route 29 Smart Scale project
Summary
The Board endorsed a Smart Scale-funded roundabout at Routes 151 and 6 (Resolution R2025-58) after VDOT reported 39 supporters among 48 comments. In the evening session a resident urged the Board to withdraw a separate $5.2 million Oak Ridge/Route 29 grant, arguing engineering funds were not needed for that intersection.
Nelson County supervisors reaffirmed their support on Aug. 12 for the Route 151/6 Smart Scale intersection improvement, adopting Resolution R2025-58 after VDOT presented the design public hearing summary and public comment tallies.
VDOT Residency Administrator Robert Brown told the Board a May 22 design hearing drew 148 sign-ins and 48 comments overall, with 39 in support, six opposing and three undecided; the Board adopted the resolution endorsing the roundabout (UPC 23198) by a 4–0 vote.
In the evening session, public commenter Heather Goodwin urged the Board to consider withdrawing a separate Smart Scale project awarded in 2020 — a roughly $5.2 million grant for safety improvements at the Oak Ridge Road/Route 29 location — arguing the intersection had no local fatalities and that design work would not address what she identified as the road’s geometric issues. Goodwin said she had spoken with VDOT and was told a waiver might be possible and asked the Board to "please consider withdrawing the request" so funds could be used on intersections with demonstrated safety needs.
Board members noted the 151/6 hearing was unusually well attended and said they believed the roundabout would provide long-term benefits. No formal action was taken on the Oak Ridge/Route 29 suggestion at the Aug. 12 meeting; the public comment was forwarded for Board consideration and staff follow-up.
