AGENDA DATE: 5/3/2023
TITLE:
Title
Plank Road Truck Restriction Study
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolutions to Request Assessment of Plank Road between US 29/Monacan Trail Road and US 250/Rockfish Gap Turnpike for a Through Truck Restriction and a Speed Study of Plank Road from Dick Woods Road to Heartwood Road
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Rosenberg, Herrick, Filardo, McDermott, Hersh-Ballering
PRESENTER (S): Jessica Hersh-Ballering
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The state of repair of the existing Plank Road bridge over Mechum’s River (just north of the intersection with Craigs Store Road) limits the weight of vehicles using the bridge to no more than 17 tons. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has proposed improving the bridge using maintenance funds. These improvements would increase the weight limit allowed on the bridge. Residents have expressed concern that the weight limit change would result in increased use and larger truck traffic routing through Batesville. Given the condition and typical use of Plank Road, residents consider this additional truck traffic to be a safety concern. Furthermore, residents have inquired about possible traffic calming interventions along Plank Road to further improve safety in the area.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Rural Area Character - Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms and forests, traditional crossroad communities, and protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity.
DISCUSSION: In the “County of Albemarle and VDOT ‘Through Truck Restriction’ Process” adopted December 2000 (Attachment A), the County and VDOT staff outline the process for assessing and approving through truck restrictions. The steps that County and VDOT staff have taken to this point and described above in the “Background” constitute the Neighborhood Request & Supporting Documentation phase of the project. County and VDOT staff have reviewed the requests and preliminary information related to transportation on Plank Road. Based on the VDOT “Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways” (Attachment B), this request appears reasonably feasible to qualify for a restriction. The next step in this process involves the completion of a detailed assessment of the potential through truck restriction. Staff recommends that the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment C) requesting that VDOT complete this detailed assessment. This action would be consistent with step six, as outlined in Attachment A.
County staff would share the results of the detailed assessment with the Board of Supervisors at a future meeting and public hearing, in which the Board would determine whether to approve or deny a through truck restriction request. If approved, the Board would adopt a Resolution formalizing the through truck traffic restriction request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Furthermore, staff recommends that the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment D) requesting that VDOT complete a speed study of Plank Road between Dick Woods Road and Heartwood Road as a preliminary step to determine whether traffic calming interventions are warranted.
BUDGET IMPACT: Other than staff time, there are no anticipated budget impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached resolution (Attachment C) to request that VDOT complete a detailed assessment of the appropriateness of a Through Truck Restriction on Plank Road between US 29/Monacan Trail Road and US 250/Rockfish Gap Turnpike.
Furthermore, staff recommends that the Board request a VDOT speed study of Plank Road as a preliminary step to determine whether traffic calming interventions are warranted.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - County of Albemarle and VDOT “Through Truck Restriction” Process
B - VDOT Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways
C - Resolution to Request Assessment of Plank Road for a Through Truck Restriction
D - Resolution to Request Speed Study of Plank Road from Dick Woods Road to Heartwood Road