AGENDA DATE: 9/2/2026
TITLE:
Title
Rural Rustic and Unpaved Road Improvement Program
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Present an updated Rural Rustic (RR) and Unpaved Road Improvement Program (URIP) document and workflow for the Secondary Six-Year Plan (SSYP).
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Svoboda, Barnes, McDermott, Swartzendruber, Karina-Plun
PRESENTER (S): Alberic Karina-Plun
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: This agenda item is to present the updated Albemarle County SSYP process, including updates to the RR program with the addition of URIP projects.
Attached is the updated Unpaved Road Policies and Review Process (Attachment A), a list of proposed “Maintained Gravel Roads” in the Albemarle County Priority List for Secondary Road Improvements, Unpaved Roads (Attachment B), a map showing the unpaved roads in Albemarle County (Attachment C), and a flow-chart that explains the process (Attachment D).
The SSYP allocates funding for construction, maintenance, and improvement of roads in the state secondary system (roads with a route number of 600 or higher). The funds allocated to Albemarle County through the SSYP include state and federal funds for a variety of road improvements. The SSYP for Albemarle County is updated and approved annually and identifies the specific funding source, use, and levels allocated for the immediate fiscal year. The SSYP also identifies projected funding allocations for the next five fiscal years.
The Board adopted the FY 27-32 SSYP at the May 20, 2026, public hearing, but had general questions for staff about URIP and preserving unpaved roads. Through this presentation, staff intends to provide clarity to the Board and the public on this process.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure & Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: Following Board discussion at the May 20, 2026 public hearing for the FY 27-32 SSYP, staff simplified and clarified how the URIP projects would be incorporated in the programming for roads in the SSYP. Roads that are requested for paving will be vetted by staff to determine if the Board previously placed it on the Maintained Gravel Roads list, if it was previously rejected by VDOT for paving, or if the issues on the road are unrelated to its unpaved nature.
A road that meets one of these definitions will be added to the URIP list, where it will be prioritized by the highest traffic counts. Roads that have specific paving requests will move through the normal RR process as described in the Unpaved Road Policies and Review Process. When it is time to build the SSYP, staff recommended roads with the highest average daily traffic (ADT) will be prioritized first, regardless of whether they are a RR or URIP project. URIP roads will be treated as RR projects, with improvements all the way up to paving.
The Board expressed interest in preserving unpaved roads for recreational uses such as walking, biking, running, and equestrian uses. There is no specific VDOT program or recommendation to preserve unpaved roads for recreational uses, but the Board, at their discretion, can select roads to keep unpaved. Staff has conducted research on roads popular for recreational uses. The following are a list of roads that staff has identified based on promotion by local riding and running clubs and available online data showing recreational usage:
- Rt. 637 Dick Woods Road
- Rt. 671 Ballards Mill Road
- Rt. 671 Wesley Chapel Road
- Rt. 673 Slam Gate Road
- Rt. 688 Midway Road
- Rt. 689 Pounding Creek Road
- Rt. 811 Jones Mill Road
- Rt. 678 Ridge Road
During the work session for the SSYP in the Spring of 2027, the Board may consider these roads for inclusion on the “Maintained Gravel Roads” list. As a reminder, roads placed on the “Maintained Gravel Roads” list will remain there for six years after being placed on the list before they can be considered for paving.
BUDGET IMPACT: The SSYP outlines the expenditure of the State/VDOT secondary road construction funds allocated to the County. The SSYP does not require the expenditure of County funds unless the Board directs appropriation of additional funding to a project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive this presentation and staff will answer any questions on the program. If Supervisors have additional considerations for staff on the program those can be incorporated in the development of the FY28 SSYP and paving program next Spring.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Unpaved Road Policies and Review Process
Attachment B - Albemarle County Priority List for Secondary Road Improvements, Unpaved Roads
Attachment C - Albemarle County Unpaved Road Map
Attachment D - Rural Rustic/Unpaved Road Improvement Program Flow Chart