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VDOT urges caution: Tanbark/Route 151 roundabout is safety-driven and cancellation could cost Nelson County about $128,000
Summary
VDOT told supervisors the Tanbark/Route 151 roundabout was proposed for safety reasons, citing 11 crashes from 2020–2024 and research that modern roundabouts can reduce crash rates substantially; VDOT warned that cancelling a fully funded Smart Scale project could leave the county responsible for roughly $128,000 in already-committed costs.
VDOT Administrator Robert Brown told the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 that the proposed roundabout at Tanbark and Route 151 is included in the current Smart Scale six-year plan for safety reasons and is not primarily a capacity project.
Brown said the intersection had 11 reported crashes between 2020 and 2024 and explained that “crash rates generally decrease 82% when you take a multi-legged intersection such as this four-legged one and put a roundabout there.” He emphasized that only the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has authority to cancel a fully funded Smart Scale project and warned that if the county were to seek cancellation at this stage it might need to reimburse approximately $53,000 already spent plus another $75,000 not yet invoiced—about $128,000 in total to date.
Supervisor A. Cameron Lenahan said many of his constituents on Tanbark have concerns and requested a site meeting with VDOT to review traffic patterns; Brown agreed to meet. Supervisor Jessica Ligon asked about the cost implications of cancellation and about project materials previously presented; Brown suggested staff provide prior safety-study materials and schedule a follow-up meeting for questions.
Board members discussed alternative alignment histories and community concerns. Brown noted that an earlier 2013 corridor study contemplated a large alignment shift for Route 151, but that roundabout design now requires a smaller footprint and directly addresses limited sight distance at the intersection. He encouraged the Board to meet with VDOT before taking any cancellation action.
The Board did not take formal action on the project at the meeting; VDOT requested an opportunity to participate in any local discussions about the application and next steps.
