Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Board to fix hazardous unpaved roads in public hearing
Summary
Several residents told the Board of Supervisors that Rock Creek Road, Old River Lane and other unpaved roads are hazardous, citing dust, washouts, failing culverts and unsafe conditions for emergency vehicles and residents.
Several Grayson County residents used the VDOT public hearing May 14 to urge the Board and VDOT to return multiple roads to the county’s improvement list and to prioritize paving and drainage repairs.
Clara Richards of Rock Creek Road (Independence) presented a packet and said Rock Creek Road — which had been on the six-year plan but was removed — is "very hazardous/dangerous," serves 14 residents and three ranches, and continues to be used as a bypass by larger vehicles. David Stauffer of Old River Lane described serious erosion, potholes and culvert failures and told the Board that piecemeal patching is no longer adequate. "We need better management of water runoff — culverts need to be replaced," Stauffer said.
Other commenters pressed similar concerns: Jenny Bond Turner said the final two miles of Graystone Road remain unpaved and serve about 10 residents; TJ Elsaesser asked for posted speed limits and dust control on Old River Lane; David Rutherford described "lots of dust" and washboarding on Little River Road that affects farmers and logging trucks; Catherine Louis said increased recreational river use has brought more traffic and damaged the roadbed; Paul Jarmal and others described eroded shoulders and lack of ditches. Commenters requested culvert replacement, base stabilization, reduced dust (calcium chloride was mentioned by VDOT as a summertime dust-control tool), posted speed limits, and full paving where warranted.
The public comments were heard before the Board adopted VDOT’s plan; the Board and VDOT staff noted that some roads will be moved up the funding list when partially funded roads are prioritized.
