Roanoke County

“While the City of Roanoke has been proactive in bike-friendliness (a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community), Roanoke County has lagged behind. Though incorporating bike-ped has been VDOT policy since 2004, the county was not necessarily onboard. (Is this a familiar story?) Well, no more. Two county supervisors who are also on the MPO board brought the bike-ped case to the county board, which unanimously agreed to, and passed, a bike-ped integration policy. Kudos to the Roanoke County supervisors for their vision and leadership.”

~Writes Virginia Bicycling Federation

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Work Begins on Corridor Study of Bike Route 76

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

"U.S. Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Bike Route, is a National Bike Route that spans from the Midwest to eastern Virginia. Along this path, the route passes through five of the localities in our region - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. As part of its FY14 Rural Transportation Program, the TJPDC staff will conduct a Corridor Study of the Route 76 segments within our region. The intent of this work ultimately is to increase safety, access and awareness of the bike route. The Rural Technical Committee has conducted a scoping meeting for this project to help guide the process and deliverables.

TJPDC staff included the Route 76 project in its FY13 Rural Transportation Work Program, but was unable to begin work because of the large volume of rural projects. The Rural Technical Committee and Commission carried over this project to the FY14 Work Program, intending it to be a high priority project. The original project scope included three main elements:

1.    An inventory of existing conditions;

2.    A promotional campaign to provide route information and online resources; and,

3.    Recommendations for roadway improvements that would increase bike safety."

~TJPDC News Brief

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Work Begins on Corridor Study of Bike Route 76

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

"U.S. Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Bike Route, is a National Bike Route that spans from the Midwest to eastern Virginia. Along this path, the route passes through five of the localities in our region - Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. As part of its FY14 Rural Transportation Program, the TJPDC staff will conduct a Corridor Study of the Route 76 segments within our region. The intent of this work ultimately is to increase safety, access and awareness of the bike route. The Rural Technical Committee has conducted a scoping meeting for this project to help guide the process and deliverables.

TJPDC staff included the Route 76 project in its FY13 Rural Transportation Work Program, but was unable to begin work because of the large volume of rural projects. The Rural Technical Committee and Commission carried over this project to the FY14 Work Program, intending it to be a high priority project. The original project scope included three main elements:

1.    An inventory of existing conditions;

2.    A promotional campaign to provide route information and online resources; and,

3.    Recommendations for roadway improvements that would increase bike safety."

~TJPDC News Brief

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Charlottesville Seeks Safe Routes to School Grant for Jackson-Via Elementary

City of Charlottesville

“Charlottesville is seeking state funds to make it safer for pedestrians around one neighborhood school.  The city is applying for a $250,000 Virginia Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Grant for Jackson-Via Elementary. The proposed project would fill in gaps in sidewalks along Harris Road, install more visible crosswalks, and create a trail system to connect the school to the Belmont and Ridge Street neighborhoods.”

~Reports nbc29

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Sidewalk Project in Arlington County

Arlington County
Sidewalk Project
"Construction is on the way to the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Glebe Road. The Arlington County Board is expected to approve easement acquisitions to the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection at its meeting Saturday, which will allow the county to widen sidewalks and install bus shelters at the intersection." 
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Cost of Halting Western Bypass a $50-Million Question

Albemarle County

“For Albemarle County’s incoming supervisors, it’s the $50-million question. That group could help pull the plug on the long-debated Western Bypass of U.S. 29, but at what cost? So far, more than $50 million in state and federal money has been invested in the project, and the state could demand that money back, said Sarah Rhodes, the program coordinator for the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization. But where that money might come from, or whether the state would even make the demand, is still unclear, Rhodes said.”

~Writes J. Reynolds Hutchins of the Daily Progress

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Courtland Interchange Project up for Bid Next Fall

Southampton County
Courtland Interchange Project

"COURTLAND—An interchange that would place a bridge over U.S. 58 at Route 742 is set to go up for bidding next fall, said Jennifer Gwaltney, Virginia Department of Transportation public information officer. The purpose is to improve traffic flow by eliminating a signal on U.S. 58. Loops, a ramp and a spur will be added to create the interchange, and a right-turn lane will also be added to accommodate businesses along the 58 eastbound lane, she said. The project is estimated to cost $26.5 million, and is fully funded in the FY 2015 Six-Year Improvement Program, said Gwaltney. A maintenance of traffic plan will be developed prior to construction to help minimize the inconvenience to motorists."

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~From TidewaterNews.com