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Board adopts Plantation Road pedestrian safety assessment into county plan, pursues Smart Scale funding
Summary
Roanoke County adopted a pedestrian road safety assessment for the Plantation Road corridor into its comprehensive plan and staff said the county will apply for Smart Scale funding (deadline Aug. 3) to implement near‑term safety improvements including crosswalks, bus‑stop upgrades and sidewalks where feasible.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors voted May 26 to incorporate a pedestrian road safety assessment for Plantation Road and surrounding areas into the county’s comprehensive (200) plan and to pursue funding and next steps to implement recommendations.
Nathan Graham, transportation planner, briefed the board on the study area (centered on the Walmart/Food Lion corridor) and said the assessment was developed through the Virginia Walkability Action Institute work and local engagement. Staff conducted a May 2025 survey and received 51 responses; respondents reported walking, bus use and mobility‑device travel in the corridor and raised concerns about missing sidewalks, high vehicle speeds, inadequate bus stops and uneven pavement affecting elderly residents.
Graham described near‑term recommendations already under way, including installation of solar lights at three high‑need bus stops (installed at no cost through the Walkability Institute funding), vegetation clearing behind the Walmart site, and the placement of 25 mph signage on John Richardson Road with VDOT coordination. Intermediate and long‑term options include mid‑block crosswalks with median islands, curb and sidewalk installation in more difficult topography, bus shelter and pad improvements, and a possible roundabout at Plantation and Hollands (though staff noted roundabouts can be expensive).
Staff said VDOT has studied lowering the posted speed from 40 to 35 mph on portions of Plantation and Hershberger and that the Salem residency will evaluate installing a crosswalk between transit stops if speed determinations allow. Graham said the county will submit a Smart Scale application by the Aug. 3 deadline and expect a January decision on funding; staff will continue monthly coordination with VDOT.
Supervisors asked about crash counts (staff replied there were many crashes, particularly at the Food Lion and Walmart entrances) and implementation timing. Board members praised the study and emphasized the long lead times and funding competition for Smart Scale; staff noted other potential RSAs for high‑crash corridors are being pursued.
The board opened the public hearing; no citizen comments were signed up. A supervisor moved to adopt the RSA into the 200 plan and the motion passed on roll call.
