Region 2000, VDOT team up for regional transportation study

By Justin Faulconer

Published: November 13, 2008

BEDFORD — A regional transportation study is under way to determine current and future transportation needs for many of Central Virginia’s rural areas.

The Region 2000 Local Government Council and Virginia Department of Transportation are partnering to develop the study that would join with similar plans already developed for the state’s metropolitan areas.

The regional plan includes Bedford, Campbell, Amherst and Appomattox counties and the city of Bedford.

Don Wells, a consultant for the study, said Thursday about 30 percent of Bedford’s mileage of roads is being examined, including the major arteries of U.S. 460 and U.S. 221. The study would identify areas that are “problem priority” areas, meaning they’ve experienced at least six crashes resulting in fatality or injury over a three-year period.

“We’re not looking at every road in the county but we are looking at the more significant roads,” Wells said.

George Nester, the county’s director of community development, pointed out that Virginia 24 is definitely an area of concern, according to the study’s findings.

The plan would be used to assist localities in transportation planning.

Cayce Dagenhart, senior planner for the council, said it would produce a “wish list” of intersection and road improvement projects.

Wells said the recommendations will not take cost into consideration, adding that those issues would be addressed later.

State transportation revenues are expected to decrease by up to $2.6 billion over the next six years, state officials revealed last month.

VDOT plans to close some operation centers within the counties. Centers that remain open will have to serve more than one county. The department also will consolidate some local offices, eliminate some repair shops and pare its full-time work force from about 8,400 to 7,500.

Dagenhart said the council is still taking public feedback on the plan and will hold another public hearing in the spring before it issues a final report to the localities.