AGENDA DATE: 10/10/2018
TITLE:
Title
Miller School Road (Route 635) and Owensville Road (Route 676) Through-Truck Restrictions
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request for Through-truck restrictions on Miller School Road (Route 635) and Owensville Road (Route 676)
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Graham, Gast-Bray, McDermott
PRESENTER (S): Kevin McDermott
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, as the frequency of large trucks using rural county roads has increased, the safety concerns on roads that are potentially unsuitable for this type of traffic has also grown. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Albemarle County staff, County Supervisors, Police, and Fire and Rescue have all been dealing with issues related to this on a frequent basis. Supervisors Mallek, McKeel, and Palmer have requested staff to examine this issue as it relates to the rural areas in the western portion of the County and specifically to Miller School Road (Route 635) and Owensville Road (Route 678). Similarly, Albemarle County staff and VDOT have received requests from numerous property owners living on and near these roads requesting an evaluation of the appropriateness of heavy and long vehicles. Public information meetings have been held with residents in the Batesville and Garth Road areas to discuss issues and concerns related to this.
On January 2, 2018, the Board authorized funding for a study to evaluate potential Through Truck Restrictions on Owensville and Miller School Roads. On Owensville Road (Route 678), the potential restriction would extend from Ivy Road (US 250) to Garth Road (Route 614). On Miller School Road (Route 635), the potential restriction would extend from Plank Road (Route 692) to Rockfish Gap Turnpike (US 250).
The process for assessing and approving a through truck restriction in Albemarle County is outlined in the “County of Albemarle and VDOT ‘Through Truck Restriction’ Process” adopted December 2000 (Attachment A). This Public Hearing is the final step in the process before the Board can make a determination to support or deny the request. On August 1, 2018 the Board received the results of the Through Truck Restriction Studies. These studies showed that, based on the VDOT “Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways” (Attachment B), it was determined that these requests appear to qualify for a restriction.
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: The Final Through Truck Restriction Reports for the two routes have been completed and posted on the Albemarle County website on the Community Development Department page under the Transportation Information tab. The results of these studies show that both routes appear to qualify for through truck restrictions and reasonable alternate routes are available and identified. The analysis of the character of the roads and frequency of the truck traffic, including safety and geometric considerations, demonstrates that the level of truck traffic may not be suitable for these routes. Attachments C (Owensville Road) and D (Miller School Road) provide summaries of the findings from these studies.
BUDGET IMPACT: No anticipated budget impacts
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolutions (Attachments E and F) based on input submitted at the public hearing to formally request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to restrict through truck traffic on Owensville Road and Miller School Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: County of Albemarle and VDOT “Through Truck Restriction” Process
Attachment B: VDOT Guidelines for Considering Requests to Restrict Through Trucks on Primary and Secondary Highways
Attachment C: Owensville Road (Route 678) Through Truck Restriction Study: Summary
Attachment D: Miller School Road (Route 635) Through Truck Restriction Study: Summary
Attachment E: Owensville Road Through-Truck Restriction Resolution
Attachment F: Miller School Road Through-Truck Restriction Resolution