HENRICO,
VA-- The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a
public information session about a two-mile stretch of Springfield Road in Henrico County
on Tuesday.
The department will present draft findings from a year-long
study aimed at determining what cost-effective improvements can be made to the roadway.
The two-mile stretch of Springfield Road (Route 157) runs from Nuckols Road and Staples Mill Road
in Henrico County.
The study examined the safety and mobility of the current
corridor for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and also evaluated the
possibility of constructing a new Springfield
Road within the dedicated right of way between the
Winterberry and Kings
Forest neighborhoods.
The meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday in the Glen Allen
High School auditorium
located at 10700 Staples Mill Road
in Glen Allen.
VDOT will make a presentation at 6 p.m. to explain the draft
study findings and suggested alternatives. Attendees will have the opportunity
to speak one-on-one with VDOT and study consultants before and after the presentation.
The following is a release from VDOT:
The Springfield
Road study presented three alternatives. All of
the alternatives below include closing the Springfield Road entrance at Hart Mill Drive due
to limited sight distance and spot improvements to the existing road to include
turn lane modifications, lighting, guardrails and shoulder widening.
- Alternative 1 – This alternative involves
straightening the curve at Echo
Lake and constructing a
roundabout at Francistown Road.
This estimated $13 million alternative is expected to reduce crashes by eight
percent compared to no improvements.
- Alternative 2 – This alternative involves
building a new Springfield Road
between Linsey Lakes Drive
and Francistown Road,
and constructing roundabouts at Francistown
Road and Linsey
Lakes Drive. This estimated $19 million
alternative is expected to reduce crashes by 22 percent compared to no
improvements.
- Alternative 3 – This alternative involves
building a new Springfield Road
and roundabouts as in Alternative 2; however, through traffic would be
prohibited on the existing Springfield
Road at Echo
Lake. This estimated $18
million alternative is expected to reduce crashes by 20 percent compared to no
improvements.
Individuals are encouraged to give feedback about the
results of the Springfield Road
study in person, by email or by standard mail.
Comments must be received by February 8 to be included in
the public meeting transcript.
- In person – Attend the public meeting January 29
and give your written or oral comments at the meeting.
- Online/email – Fill out the comment form on the project
website and email the document to the project manager at Harold.Caples@vdot.virginia.gov.
- Standard mail – Take a comment form at the
meeting or print out one from the project
website. Mail it no later than February 8 to VDOT, ATTN: Harold Caples, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002.
Following
the public information meeting, the study team will review and summarize the
verbal and written comments.
Over the next three months, VDOT will finalize the study and
consult with Henrico
County. The department
expects to either recommend a design alternative to pursue or adopt no
improvements at this time.
VDOT has allocated $2 million for Springfield Road planning and design;
however, funds have not been allocated for right of way acquisition and construction.
It is anticipated VDOT will seek federal funding for construction based on the
likely safety benefits.
VDOT will hold additional public meetings regarding any
costs or community impacts for this project once a preliminary roadway design
is developed.
Additional information about the Springfield Road study including
electronic copies of the draft study is available on the project
website.
