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Onley council urges opposition to Route 179 lane reductions, seeks hydrant fixes and asks staff to press VDOT on local speed limits
Summary
Councilmembers on Aug. 5 urged residents to attend an Aug. 21 meeting to oppose plans to reduce Route 179 lanes and add a bike lane, directed staff to explore solutions to a nonworking hydrant affecting fire suppression and discussed resident requests to keep town speed limits at 25 mph.
Onley — At its Aug. 5 meeting the Onley Town Council mobilized resistance to proposed changes on Route 179, asked staff to investigate fixes to a nonworking fire hydrant that reduces local fire‑suppression capacity, and discussed resident concerns about rising speed limits on town streets.
Councilmember Brian Corbin told the council there are renewed plans to reduce Route 179 (Market Street) from three lanes to two and to add a bike lane. He said the council has opposed similar proposals in the past and urged attendance at a scheduled public meeting on Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Accomack BOS Chambers; Council asked Town Manager Susan Rillo to attend and to voice the town’s opposition.
Vice‑Mayor Bill Ferguson, who said he now serves as president of the Tasley Fire Company, reported the town lacks nearby fire suppression after a hydrant by the railroad track stopped working. Ferguson asked staff to research federal grants to tap an existing well or install a slow‑feed well to supply a hydrant, noting improved suppression could positively affect homeowners’ insurance ratings. Town Manager Rillo said she would investigate options and report back to council.
Resident Arlene Evans (reported by the town manager) has raised repeated concerns about speeding on Pennsylvania Avenue and side streets, and asked the town to lower all streets to 25 mph. Rillo said some speed limits under review by VDOT could be raised (East Main Street to 30 mph; Onley Road to 35 mph) and reminded council that VDOT controls the streets, so the town must work through the agency to change posted limits. The Town of Accomac has expressed interest in buying the two additional speed signs the town was offering.
What’s next: Council members and residents were encouraged to attend the Aug. 21 VDOT/Accomack meeting; Town Manager Rillo will research hydrant and grant options and return with recommendations.
