AGENDA DATE: 9/6/2023
TITLE:
Title
Plank Road (Route 692) Through Truck Restriction
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: To conduct a Public Hearing to Request a Resolution for a Through Truck Restriction on a Segment of Route 692/Plank Road
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Rosenberg, Herrick, Filardo, McDermott, Karina-Plun
PRESENTER (S): Alberic Karina-Plun
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, previously limited the weight of vehicles using the bridge to no more than 17 tons. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently improved the bridge using maintenance funds. These improvements increased 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, this additional truck traffic is a safety concern and therefore a Through Truck Restriction for this segment of Plank Road is under consideration.
The “County of Albemarle and VDOT ‘Through Truck Restriction’ Process”, adopted December 2000 (Attachment A), outlines the process for assessing and approving through truck restrictions. Further guidance is included in the VDOT “Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways” (Attachment B). The steps that County and VDOT staff have taken to this point, described above, constitute the Neighborhood Request & Supporting Documentation phase of the project.
On May 3, 2023, the Board adopted a resolution (Attachment C) to request that VDOT provide an assessment of the appropriateness of a Through Truck Restriction on Plank Road between US 29/Monacan Trail Road and US 250/Rockfish Gap Turnpike. VDOT has completed that assessment and determined, based on a preliminary evaluation of the route and the potential restriction, that this route segment appears reasonably feasible to qualify for a through truck restriction. According to the “County of Albemarle and VDOT ‘Through Truck Restriction’ Process,” the next step is to hold a public hearing.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-Being - Nurture a safe and healthy community.
DISCUSSION: Albemarle County and VDOT staff have reviewed the through truck restriction request and preliminary information related to transportation on Plank Road, including an assessment of the current roadway, the proposed alternate route for differences in distance and travel-time, and an evaluation of crash history of this road segment. The travel time from the Plank Road/US 29 intersection in North Garden to the US 250/Plank Road intersection is approximately 15 minutes for the 9.3-mile journey. The proposed alternate route, beginning at the Plank Road/US 29 intersection in North Garden, would follow US 29 north to I-64 west to Exit 107, Crozet Avenue, and then head west on US 250 to Plank Road. This would take 23 minutes and be a 23.1-mile drive (Attachment D). However, because many of the trucks taking this route are attempting to access I-64 west, an assessment of the distance and travel time to I-64 was also completed. Trucks taking Plank Road to the US 250/I-64 interchange would have an 11-mile journey and take 17 minutes. The alternate route of US 29 to I-64 is 20 miles to get to the same interchange and would be a 20-minute drive (Attachment E).
There is no identified truck crash history on Plank Road. Since 2018, there have been one fatal crash and two severe crashes, involving either an SUV or a pickup truck. The western segment of Plank Road has an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume of 2,000 vehicles per day and trucks make up 3.5% of the total traffic, with trailer trucks being 0.55% of the vehicles on this road.
A through truck restriction would not restrict all trucks from using Plank Road. Pick-up and panel trucks would still be able to travel along the road. Trucks whose destination is on that road or only accessible from that road, which includes package and postal service trucks, moving trucks, and businesses/residents that receive goods, would still be allowed to use it. A through-truck restriction would restrict only the movement of trucks using Plank Road as a through movement to connect to destinations not located on that road.
County staff recommends that, following the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution (Attachment F) formalizing the through truck traffic restriction request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). If approved, VDOT would finalize the detailed assessment of the potential through truck restriction, hold its own public hearing, or at a minimum, post a willingness to hold a public hearing on the through truck restriction, and then forward the final report and request to the CTB, which then would have nine months to act on this request.
BUDGET IMPACT: There are no anticipated budget impacts beyond staff time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the resolution (Attachment F) to request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to restrict Through Truck Traffic on Plank Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Albemarle Through Truck Restriction Process
B - VDOT Through Truck Restriction Guidelines
C - Plank Road Through Truck Restriction Signed Resolution
D - North Garden to US 250 Map
E - North Garden to Interchange Map
F - Plank Road Through Truck Restriction Resolution