Road’s Upgrades Could Draw More Traffic

By Ray Reed ray.reed@roanoke.com 981-3351

Why do they want to widen that shortcut between Brambleton Avenue and Virginia 419/Electric Road?

That was the No. 1 question asked at a public hearing attended by about 50 people last Thursday, about a proposed upgrade for McVitty Road and Old Cave Spring Road in Roanoke County.

The answer, from the Virginia Department of Transportation, was that 9,000 vehicles use it every day and the road needs to be made safer.

But, several residents said, if you build it more traffic will come.

VDOT doesn’t have a ready answer to that comment.

The agency estimates that traffic will increase to 11,700 vehicles per day by 2031, even if nothing is improved.

“Will more traffic come? That’s tough to say, but we know we need to make the road safer and better,” said VDOT spokesman Chuck Lionberger.

Some of the existing traffic is purely from drivers taking the shortcut, Lionberger acknowledged, but much of it is from the residential neighborhoods and nearby businesses.

Some folks at the hearing suggested closing the road to all through traffic, creating two cul-de-sacs.

Such a closure would create problems for emergency vehicles trying to serve the area, Lionberger said.

The existing speed limit is 25 mph. Will the limit be raised, some neighbors wanted to know?

No, Lionberger said, the limit will remain 25 mph, and enforcement will rest with Roanoke County, which is asking for the widening.

People’s comments received by VDOT through Monday will be considered and the plan may be tweaked, Lionberger said. VDOT will then ask the Roanoke County supervisors to pass a resolution supporting the project.

Comments can be made to 387-5488, or saleminfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov., or mailed to P.O .Box 3071, Salem, VA 24153.

Here’s a summary of the upgrade’s features:

n Two 9-foot lanes will be widened to 12 feet, with 4-foot paved shoulders. A bridge over Mud Lick Creek that’s near the end of its life will be replaced.

n The intersection of McVitty and Old Cave Spring roads will be reworked, eliminating the stop sign for vehicles turning right from McVitty onto Old Cave Spring Road.

n The cost is estimated at $3.7 million; construction could start in 2010 if the current schedule is kept.

Got a question or comment about the streets and roads of the Roanoke area? Give us a call at 981-3351 or ray.reed@roanoke.com. Maybe we can find an answer. Please include your name and phone number.