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VDOT presents $3.64 million plan to upgrade five Emporia intersections for pedestrians
Summary
VDOT told the council the federally funded Emporia Multi‑Intersection Pedestrian Safety Project will add pedestrian signals, crosswalks, curb ramps and refuge islands at five intersections; right‑of‑way work is planned for Fall 2026 and construction for Fall 2027 with about a year of staged work.
A Virginia Department of Transportation project manager told Emporia City Council on Feb. 17 that a federally funded safety project will upgrade pedestrian crossings at five city intersections, installing new pedestrian signals, markings, curb ramps and a refuge island at select locations.
Carolyn Cotter, VDOT project manager (Hampton Roads District Location and Design), said the project (UPC 125086) is administered by VDOT for the city and is fully funded through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Project materials in the meeting packet and VDOT slides list a total project estimate of about $3,640,878. Right‑of‑way activity is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026 and construction in Fall 2027; construction is expected to be staged intersection by intersection over roughly 9–12 months.
Improvements described include new pedestrian signals and crosswalks at West Atlantic at Smith Street/Belfield Drive; North Main at Atlantic Street; North Main at Western Boulevard and Virginia Avenue; South Main at Battery Avenue (with curb bump‑outs); and South Main at Laurel Street/Low Ground Road (refuge island). Cotter said traffic will be maintained during construction, with no lane closures during peak morning and evening periods or school pick‑up/drop‑off times.
The presentation noted a Notice of Willingness to Hold a Design Public Hearing was posted in January; no requests for a public hearing were received. Council did not take an action on the project at the Feb. 17 meeting; VDOT will proceed with preliminary engineering and right‑of‑way steps per the presented schedule.
Follow‑up: staff and VDOT will coordinate right‑of‑way activities and public communications as the project moves into preliminary engineering.
