Beach moves forward to widen busy intersection

Virginia Beach:

“One of Virginia Beach's most congested intersections, which snarls commuters heading to and from Oceana Naval Air Station, is finally on its way to getting some relief. The city has fully funded a $25 million project that will widen First Colonial Road at Virginia Beach Boulevard from four to six lanes to the Interstate 264 overpass.

‘There's a need for it,’ said Sam Reid, president of Oceana Gardens Coalition Civic League and a School Board member. ‘Especially in the morning and the afternoon. That whole corner comes to a standstill - cars backed up everywhere from base traffic. It doesn't matter what direction you're coming from. It clogs up the whole intersection in all directions.’

The city's acquisitions will affect about 30 properties in the project's path. Appraisals will be sent out this spring, followed by acquisitions and relocations. The city already has bought more than 30 parcels on the fringes of the intersection as part of the planned widening. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016.”

~Writes Stacy Parker of the Virginia Pilot

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Va. Highway Safety Office accepting grant bids

DMV:

“The Virginia Highway Safety Office is accepting applications for safety grants. The grants are aimed at reducing traffic deaths and injuries, including programs that increase seat belt use, deter drunken driving and speeding and distracted driving, and promote motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, teen and senior driver safety...

The deadline for grant applications is Feb. 28. Nearly 400 grants are awarded each year.”

~Writes Newsleader.com

Interested applicants must attend a workshop and apply online at www.dmvnow.com

Supervisors Consider Western Bypass Public Hearing

Albemarle County

“The Western Bypass project could be back up for debate in front of the Albemarle County Supervisors. The board members are considering holding a public hearing controversial proposal. The bypass was considered by some to be a done deal. But the newly-elected Board of Supervisors are ready to hear what the public has to say about the controversial road.

In June 2011, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors changed its position to support the Western Bypass and funding was approved for construction not long after. But according to Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin, something new has popped up on the agenda. ‘An action item put on their February 5th agenda to consider holding a public hearing on the route 29 western bypass.’”

~Writes Jaclyn Piermarini of the Charlottesville Newsplex

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Cameras to be Installed along Emmet St. to Improve Traffic Flow

City of Charlottesville

“Charlottesville City Council on Monday approved the installation of cameras to keep an eye on traffic flow along Emmet Street, and many drivers say the extra eyes are worth a quicker commute… Council's solution to fix the backlog is the installation of InSync cameras from a private company called Rhythm Engineering. ‘There's the idea of timing, computerized timing, then this goes a step further,’ city councilor Kristin Szakos said.

The cameras will analyze traffic to improve the flow. In the city, the target is mostly on Emmet Street heading into Albemarle County's Route 29. The board of supervisors in the county will consider the cameras, too, as this is a joint venture among the city, county and Virginia Department of Transportation. ‘It actually analyzes the traffic coming in from side streets at different times of day to make sure the flow is working for all traffic, not only on the main street, but also what's coming in,’ Szakos said.

The intersection of Barracks Road and Emmet Street is among the places the cameras would be installed. They'll be perched on top of light poles.”

~Writes Chris Stover of the Charlottesville Newsplex

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Transportation reform up for discussion

General Assembly

“If you’re in Northern Virginia, traffic congestion is probably your biggest road problem. If you’re in Southwest Virginia, congestion isn’t even on the radar screen, but economic development and safety is. Virginia’s different transportation districts would weigh those priorities differently to decide on road projects under legislation House Republicans are pushing in the House of Delegates.

During a Monday news conference, House Speaker Bill Howell, R–Stafford, said a focus on prioritizing road projects comes after last year’s transportation funding reform bill put more money into transportation. ‘Now that we have this new funding we need to be sure we spend it in the most effective, most efficient way,’ Howell said. A number of lawmakers—including Del. Mark Cole, R–Spotsylvania—had proposed legislation this session that would have dictated how the Commonwealth Transportation Board prioritizes road projects.”

~Writes Chelyen Davis of The Free Lance–Star

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New Economic Analysis of Streetcar Likely to Leave Controversy in Wake

Arlington County:

“County government officials say they in coming weeks will release an updated analysis of the projected impact of the Columbia Pike streetcar project on the local area’s economy. ‘We anticipate the study being complete in mid- to late February,’ officials of the county government’s Department of Environmental Services told the Sun Gazette on Jan. 31.

The county government in September contracted with HR&A Associates, a consulting firm, to undertake the study. At the time, completion was expected in December. The analysis is being conducted using information that has become available since the county government’s 2012 application for federal funds for the streetcar project. The county was turned down for those funds; the Federal Transit Administration said the cost of the project was higher than was allowed for the ‘Small Starts’ funding pool.

County Board Chairman Jay Fisette on Jan. 30 told a Leadership Arlington gathering that he expected the report to be out in coming weeks. As for what it might say? ‘We’ll know soon,’ Fisette said.”

~Writes Scott McCaffrey of the Sun Gazette

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Does Metrorail or driving work best for commuters starting south of Beltway?

Northern Virginia:

“We invited travelers to suggest commutes we could test for them, to compare routes or travel modes. On Thursday morning, Post reporter Mark Berman and Robert Thomson, Dr. Gridlock, took up a reader’s suggestion to test routes between the Kingstowne area, south of the Capital Beltway in Northern Virginia, and downtown D.C.

As a starting point, we chose a McDonald’s parking lot at the corner of Franconia and Brookland roads. The finish line was the lobby of The Post, at 15th and L streets Northwest. Berman drove all the way. Thomson drove to a Metro garage and took the Blue Line. We’ll be testing other readers’ suggestions and can add a bike route. Send ideas to ­drgridlock@washpost.com.”

~Writes Robert Thomson and Mark Berman of The Washington Post

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