Virginia

[VTGoose]

@Jmiles32:  what Aubrey Layne is likely referring to is the long-standing idea (going back numerous years now) of widening all of I-81 in Virginia.  The project recently announced could be considered a sub-part of that, but is better argued as a safety improvement (a fair number of crashes at the 81/581 interchange because of the forced merging).

Yes, the mention of "Electric Road" is in reference to VA 419, which is the next exit south of the I-581 exit. It sounds like another VDOT junior engineer design:

"The southbound auxiliary lane will extend the exit 143 on ramp and become the new inside through lane. The existing outside through lane will become an exit only lane that will end at the exit 141 off-ramp."

I can't picture how this is going to work out well. The 143 on-ramp comes from I-581 and merges into the current left lane of I-81 (and was extended a few years ago to provide more merge room). Based on the comment above, through traffic will be shifted into this lane from the left lane north of the exit and traffic in the right lane will be shifted into the current left lane, leaving the current right lane as the "exit only" lane for VA 419. I'm not seeing how this solves the problem of local traffic using the interstate to get from one part of the Roanoke Valley to another (since the road system in and around Roanoke sucks) since someone going from Roanoke to Salem will still have to merge into the fast lane, then move over to the exit lane to get off at 419.

The better (but expensive) solution would be to move the southbound through lanes just to the south on a new alignment, with a bridge crossing the I-581 ramps (as the northbound lanes do now) and making the present through lanes C/D lanes to enter I-581 and exit on the right side of I-81 going south. Then the outside lane as an exit-only lane for exit 141 makes sense.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[jakeroot]

Saw my first double left turn FYA installation in Virginia over the weekend at the Fishersville exit on I-64 (Exit 91). The double left turn from Tinkling Spring Rd northbound to I-64 WB has been swapped over to two FYA heads. I had heard the NW region was looking into this, especially at interstate exits. I'd expect to start seeing this more in the coming months.

Nice! Seems so odd to see these in Virginia, a state with hardly any double right turns on red (and therefore reads as being rather conservative with permissive movements).

https://goo.gl/YFi5e7 -- according to this document from VDOT, the Northwest region has no official guidelines for left turn phasing. So, no real surprise to see this phasing pop up where it has.

Fishersville = Staunton District.

What the hell is the "Northwest Region" mentioned in the VDOT document I posted above?

[Mapmikey]

Fishersville = Staunton District.

What the hell is the "Northwest Region" mentioned in the VDOT document I posted above?

See this document - the engineering/operations arm of VDOT has its own District scheme that is different from the Construction Regions of which most of us are familiar...

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/IIM/TE-385_DTE_Responsibilities.pdf

[jakeroot]

Fishersville = Staunton District.

What the hell is the "Northwest Region" mentioned in the VDOT document I posted above?

See this document - the engineering/operations arm of VDOT has its own District scheme that is different from the Construction Regions of which most of us are familiar...

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/IIM/TE-385_DTE_Responsibilities.pdf

I see. So basically, Staunton is a part of the NWRO? I didn't see anything in that document that indicates that either the Staunton or the NWRO region/district had been retired.

[Mapmikey]

Fishersville = Staunton District.

What the hell is the "Northwest Region" mentioned in the VDOT document I posted above?

See this document - the engineering/operations arm of VDOT has its own District scheme that is different from the Construction Regions of which most of us are familiar...

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/IIM/TE-385_DTE_Responsibilities.pdf

I see. So basically, Staunton is a part of the NWRO? I didn't see anything in that document that indicates that either the Staunton or the NWRO region/district had been retired.

Neither is retired.  The document I provided seems to be about assigning the responsibility of one specific endeavor (traffic engineering) to somebody in the District scheme instead of someone in the Region scheme.  Traffic operations continue on with the Region scheme.

[Beltway]

Fishersville = Staunton District.

What the hell is the "Northwest Region" mentioned in the VDOT document I posted above?

See this document - the engineering/operations arm of VDOT has its own District scheme that is different from the Construction Regions of which most of us are familiar...
http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/IIM/TE-385_DTE_Responsibilities.pdf

I see. So basically, Staunton is a part of the NWRO? I didn't see anything in that document that indicates that either the Staunton or the NWRO region/district had been retired.

Neither is retired.  The document I provided seems to be about assigning the responsibility of one specific endeavor (traffic engineering) to somebody in the District scheme instead of someone in the Region scheme.  Traffic operations continue on with the Region scheme.

There is a map here --
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/transportation/vdot.html
"VDOT established 5 operation regions with Transportation Operation Centers for Advanced Transportation Management Systems, rather than rely upon the traditional boundaries of the nine highway districts."

I wish I could provide more details about regionalization, which actually began in 2006, with an ambitious plan to regionalize more functions.  At this point I don't think very many regional job positions have been authorized, and it may have a narrow usage basically just around the TOCs.  The TOCs are major offices and there is one per region.

[VTGoose]

Traffic flow in Blacksburg will improve next month. The new Southgate interchange on U.S. 460 is scheduled to open on or around December 13, which will eliminate the only stoplight on U.S. 460 for 37 miles between Christiansburg and Narrows (not counting the flashing yellow light in Pembroke). The diverging diamond interchange will carry traffic to the Virginia Tech campus on a new roadway that will connect to the existing Southgate Drive at Duck Pond Drive via a new roundabout. There is another roundabout that will eventually connect to the Corporate Research Center, replacing current Tech Center Drive (which will be severed by a runway extension at the Virginia Tech airport).

See the Roanoke Times article at https://goo.gl/sX2im9

Bruce, rejoicing in Blacksburg

[74/171FAN]

In my local newsletter I got in the mail yesterday, it's mentioned that VA 144's intersection with the access ramps to I-95 (located here) will be replaced with a roundabout. Construction is slated* to start in March and finish in late 2017.

*although going by how the reconfiguration of about 10 blocks of US 1/301 in the city is going, we'll be lucky to have this done by 2020.

VDOT: I-95/TEMPLE AVENUE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT COMPLETE IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS

Well it was finished before 2020.   

[Takumi]

Yeah, it finished last week. I drove through it the other day. I'll take some pictures.

[Beltway]

Traffic flow in Blacksburg will improve next month. The new Southgate interchange on U.S. 460 is scheduled to open on or around December 13, which will eliminate the only stoplight on U.S. 460 for 37 miles between Christiansburg and Narrows (not counting the flashing yellow light in Pembroke). The diverging diamond interchange will carry traffic to the Virginia Tech campus on a new roadway that will connect to the existing Southgate Drive at Duck Pond Drive via a new roundabout. There is another roundabout that will eventually connect to the Corporate Research Center, replacing current Tech Center Drive (which will be severed by a runway extension at the Virginia Tech airport).
See the Roanoke Times article at https://goo.gl/sX2im9
Bruce, rejoicing in Blacksburg

That is definitely good news. 
Are there any traffic signals between Narrows and the WV border?

[Beltway]

In my local newsletter I got in the mail yesterday, it's mentioned that VA 144's intersection with the access ramps to I-95 (located here) will be replaced with a roundabout. Construction is slated* to start in March and finish in late 2017.
*although going by how the reconfiguration of about 10 blocks of US 1/301 in the city is going, we'll be lucky to have this done by 2020.

VDOT: I-95/TEMPLE AVENUE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT COMPLETE IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS
Well it was finished before 2020.   

This is nicely done and a real improvement, to what is a former turnpike trumpet interchange. I rode thru there a couple weeks ago when it was nearly all open.

[froggie]

Are there any traffic signals between Narrows and the WV border?

Just the one at VA 61 in Narrows.

[VTGoose]

Are there any traffic signals between Narrows and the WV border?

Just the one at VA 61 in Narrows.

Right, the next traffic light on U.S. 460 is just outside Princeton at the Greasy Ridge Road intersection, location of the West Virginia Welcome Center, followed by a series of lights at the turnpike and beyond.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[Thing 342]

Traffic flow in Blacksburg will improve next month. The new Southgate interchange on U.S. 460 is scheduled to open on or around December 13, which will eliminate the only stoplight on U.S. 460 for 37 miles between Christiansburg and Narrows (not counting the flashing yellow light in Pembroke). The diverging diamond interchange will carry traffic to the Virginia Tech campus on a new roadway that will connect to the existing Southgate Drive at Duck Pond Drive via a new roundabout. There is another roundabout that will eventually connect to the Corporate Research Center, replacing current Tech Center Drive (which will be severed by a runway extension at the Virginia Tech airport).

See the Roanoke Times article at https://goo.gl/sX2im9

Bruce, rejoicing in Blacksburg

Not sure if this has been answered elsewhere, but does anyone know what the reason they went with a DDI over a trumpet was? Presumably it's so they can extend Southgate Dr to the southwest, but I'm not aware of any plans to do so, nor where such an extension would even possibly go.

[Beltway]

Traffic flow in Blacksburg will improve next month. The new Southgate interchange on U.S. 460 is scheduled to open on or around December 13, which will eliminate the only stoplight on U.S. 460 for 37 miles between Christiansburg and Narrows (not counting the flashing yellow light in Pembroke). The diverging diamond interchange will carry traffic to the Virginia Tech campus on a new roadway that will connect to the existing Southgate Drive at Duck Pond Drive via a new roundabout. There is another roundabout that will eventually connect to the Corporate Research Center, replacing current Tech Center Drive (which will be severed by a runway extension at the Virginia Tech airport).
See the Roanoke Times article at https://goo.gl/sX2im9
Bruce, rejoicing in Blacksburg

Not sure if this has been answered elsewhere, but does anyone know what the reason they went with a DDI over a trumpet was? Presumably it's so they can extend Southgate Dr to the southwest, but I'm not aware of any plans to do so, nor where such an extension would even possibly go.

This document shows that there were 4 alternatives that were studied --
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/southgate/SG_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp

1. Standard Diamond Interchange
2. Diverging Diamond Interchange
3. Rotary Interchange
4. Partial Cloverleaf Interchange

Excerpts:

"Each of the four concepts was found to have a generally similar footprint with regard to potential environmental impacts, though the footprint of the diverging diamond would be the smallest and the partial cloverleaf the largest. The study also found that, in general, each of the alternatives provides adequate levels of service and would improve congestion; however, the diverging diamond provides the least overall amount of travel time for all vehicles and serves the two heaviest movements between US 460 Bypass and Southgate Drive with the least amount of delay."

"The diverging diamond concept was shown to be one of the safest interchange configurations based on the fact that it would spread out the conflict points, provide better sight distance and shorter pedestrian crossings, and allow for the ability to incorporate traffic calming features."

Also near the bottom of the document there are maps that show a planned western extension of Southgate Drive, and a ultimate 4-way design for the DDI at US-460.

[VTGoose]

Not sure if this has been answered elsewhere, but does anyone know what the reason they went with a DDI over a trumpet was? Presumably it's so they can extend Southgate Dr to the southwest, but I'm not aware of any plans to do so, nor where such an extension would even possibly go.

The New River Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization has put forth in the recent past plans for a parkway-type road to run west from the U.S. 460 bypass along the base of Price Mountain to connect with Prices Fork Road south of the Prices Fork community. This new road would serve as a bypass of the village and the growing congestion on Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg west of the bypass (created by through traffic, three schools, a large house/apartment community, and a new student housing project). Short term, there are people who live west of the bypass (like me) who are pushing for a short connector from the end of new Southgate to Merrimac Road to provide an alternative route, especially for emergency services.

Bruce in Blacksburg

[jakeroot]

This document shows that there were 4 alternatives that were studied --
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/southgate/SG_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp
...
3. Rotary Interchange

I was about to quote this post and correct you by saying "no, roundabout interchange". But sure enough, a "rotary" was indeed a consideration. An odd consideration for a proposal from 2011. Interchanges with a slightly larger, single "modern" roundabout have been built in some places, such as Emporia, Kansas (see here). But I can't remember the last time a full, British-style oblong-shaped rotary/roundabout was proposed for this country. Many were built in New England throughout the 20th century, but I thought they stopped building them a long time ago.

[Beltway]

This document shows that there were 4 alternatives that were studied --
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/southgate/SG_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp
3. Rotary Interchange

I was about to quote this post and correct you by saying "no, roundabout interchange". But sure enough, a "rotary" was indeed a consideration. An odd consideration for a proposal from 2011. Interchanges with a slightly larger, single "modern" roundabout have been built in some places, such as Emporia, Kansas (see here). But I can't remember the last time a full, British-style oblong-shaped rotary/roundabout was proposed for this country. Many were built in New England throughout the 20th century, but I thought they stopped building them a long time ago.

In the NEPA EIS process, the agency is supposed to develop a range of alternatives and go through a scoping process to narrow it down to a preferred alternative.  Some of the alternatives may be of marginal feasibility, but it is still an important process to undergo in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a proposed highway project.

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/docueis.asp

[1995hoo]

This document shows that there were 4 alternatives that were studied --
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/southgate/SG_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp
...
3. Rotary Interchange

I was about to quote this post and correct you by saying "no, roundabout interchange". But sure enough, a "rotary" was indeed a consideration. An odd consideration for a proposal from 2011. Interchanges with a slightly larger, single "modern" roundabout have been built in some places, such as Emporia, Kansas (see here). But I can't remember the last time a full, British-style oblong-shaped rotary/roundabout was proposed for this country. Many were built in New England throughout the 20th century, but I thought they stopped building them a long time ago.

I seem to recall the discussions for the interchange between Charlottesville's Meadowcreek Parkway, McIntire Road, and the US-250 bypass included consideration of a roundabout interchange that would have used an elongated roundabout on the Parkway/McIntire level, similar to the longer roundabouts you encounter at some motorway junctions (the M4 east of Swindon at the A419 and A346 comes to mind as a good example). The idea was dropped, but I don't recall why.

[jakeroot]

This document shows that there were 4 alternatives that were studied --
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/Salem/southgate/SG_Alternatives.pdf
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/salem/southgate_connector_-_blacksburg.asp
3. Rotary Interchange

I was about to quote this post and correct you by saying "no, roundabout interchange". But sure enough, a "rotary" was indeed a consideration. An odd consideration for a proposal from 2011. Interchanges with a slightly larger, single "modern" roundabout have been built in some places, such as Emporia, Kansas (see here). But I can't remember the last time a full, British-style oblong-shaped rotary/roundabout was proposed for this country. Many were built in New England throughout the 20th century, but I thought they stopped building them a long time ago.

In the NEPA EIS process, the agency is supposed to develop a range of alternatives and go through a scoping process to narrow it down to a preferred alternative.  Some of the alternatives may be of marginal feasibility, but it is still an important process to undergo in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a proposed highway project.

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/docueis.asp

No, absolutely. I totally understand how alternatives work. I was just surprised to see this as an alternative, and not something like a SPUI or a dumbell/dogbone (both equally compact).

I seem to recall the discussions for the interchange between Charlottesville's Meadowcreek Parkway, McIntire Road, and the US-250 bypass included consideration of a roundabout interchange that would have used an elongated roundabout on the Parkway/McIntire level, similar to the longer roundabouts you encounter at some motorway junctions (the M4 east of Swindon at the A419 and A346 comes to mind as a good example). The idea was dropped, but I don't recall why.

The traditional rotaries fell out of favor because of how poorly they handled large amounts of traffic. They continue to be popular in the UK because they are relatively cheap and can be signalised to improve throughput. But the US wasn't into that signals-on-roundabout stuff, so they stopped building them in the 70s-80s.

As to why they haven't come back, US states seem to be more into "modern roundabouts", and these large elongated roundabouts seen in the UK don't really fit those standards.

[1995hoo]

Yeah, I'm aware of the issues generally, I just don't recall the specifics they discussed as to that particular location.

[Mapmikey]

I seem to recall the discussions for the interchange between Charlottesville's Meadowcreek Parkway, McIntire Road, and the US-250 bypass included consideration of a roundabout interchange that would have used an elongated roundabout on the Parkway/McIntire level, similar to the longer roundabouts you encounter at some motorway junctions (the M4 east of Swindon at the A419 and A346 comes to mind as a good example). The idea was dropped, but I don't recall why.

This presentation has that design in it, which was selected by the Steering committe.  However, the Charlottesville City Council chose the design that was actually built.  Document does not say why that I saw...

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/local_assistance/UCI/July2012/Route_250_Interchange_Project_Presentation_Janiczek_7-12-12.pdf

[Beltway]

In the NEPA EIS process, the agency is supposed to develop a range of alternatives and go through a scoping process to narrow it down to a preferred alternative.  Some of the alternatives may be of marginal feasibility, but it is still an important process to undergo in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a proposed highway project.
https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/docueis.asp

No, absolutely. I totally understand how alternatives work. I was just surprised to see this as an alternative, and not something like a SPUI or a dumbell/dogbone (both equally compact).

Alternatives in a Draft EIS can encompass a range of ideas, some of which may at times seem odd or questionable.  It doesn't mean that all of them are things that are all that likely to be built, just to show a range of thinking on the project.

[Beltway]

I haven't seen any news articles about this but ...

Repaving of the Powhite Parkway Extension has been completed, between VA-150 and west of VA-288. 

This 10-mile extension opened in 1988 and has continuously reinforced concrete pavement.   Substantial amounts of concrete patching have been needed in the last 10 to 12 years or so due to deterioration.

Needed extensive concrete patching was performed in the last 2 years, and several projects for asphalt resurfacing have been performed, about 1.5 inch overlay.  Now all work is complete and the pavement looks very good and rides smoothly and much more quietly.

[Thing 342]

I haven't seen any news articles about this but ...

Repaving of the Powhite Parkway Extension has been completed, between VA-150 and west of VA-288. 

This 10-mile extension opened in 1988 and has continuously reinforced concrete pavement.   Substantial amounts of concrete patching have been needed in the last 10 to 12 years or so due to deterioration.

Needed extensive concrete patching was performed in the last 2 years, and several projects for asphalt resurfacing have been performed, about 1.5 inch overlay.  Now all work is complete and the pavement looks very good and rides smoothly and much more quietly.

Similar resurfacing has recently been completed along I-295 from I-95 to I-64 (MM 28).