| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sandy Myers 540-332-9201 Stauntoninfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov Susan Bernard 540-332-9264 |
STAN-105 2005 July 11, 2005 |
FOUR SOUTHEAST CONNECTOR ALTERNATIVES TO BE STUDIED IN DETAIL Draft Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Underway
RICHMOND, VA— The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that it is moving into the next phase of the Harrisonburg Southeast Connector Location Study—an ongoing 30-month study of transportation needs and alternatives in the area southeast of Harrisonburg. Based on public comments received at the March 2005 citizen information meeting and other considerations, VDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has identified four candidate build alternatives for detailed study. The detailed study includes identifying historic properties, wetlands, and other resources, and assessing potential effects on those resources. The results of the studies will be included in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) planned for completion later this year.
At the March public meeting VDOT showed a number of different roadway segments connecting U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 33. Some of these involved upgrades to existing roads while others involved highway construction on new location. After further consideration and adjustments to some of the segments, four possible routes--Alternatives 1 through 4--were chosen for detailed study.
Alternative 1 begins at the Bridgewater interchange (Interchange 240) and follows existing Route 682 (Friedens Church Road) and Route 276 (Cross Keys Road), except for a short section that would bypass the corner at Friedens Church. This concept would involve widening the existing road to four lanes with a median between I-81 and Route 681 (South Whitesel Church Road). From Route 681 to Route 276, the existing road would be widened and upgraded to current standards. Route 276 would remain two lanes within the existing 80-foot-wide right of way to avoid and minimize effects on the Cross Keys Battlefield. However, the roadway would be upgraded to provide shoulders and address other safety and design issues.
Alternative 2 begins at Route 11 and follows existing Route 704 to I-81. At this point it extends on new location to Route 253 (Port Republic Road), in part to avoid the Pleasant Valley historic district and stream impacts to Pleasant Run. It then follows existing Route 704 (Boyers Road), but involves relocating the Route 704 intersection with Route 33 southward about 1,200 feet. Alternative 2 is proposed as a four-lane road with a median, and would not involve construction of a new interchange with I-81. It would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined.
Alternative 3 begins at Route 11 following portions of Route 710 (Greendale and Ridgedale Roads) but otherwise the remainder of this alternative is on new location. This concept would involve constructing a four-lane road with a median 16-feet wide. The existing interchange at I-81 (Exit 243) near Pleasant Valley Road would be reconstructed. East of Port Republic Road, the alignment skirts the northern boundary of property to which Rockingham Memorial Hospital has proposed to relocate. The road would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined. As with Alternative 2, the intersection of Route 704 (Boyers Road) with Route 33 would be relocated southward about 1,200 feet. Also, this alternative would include a spur connecting it with Route 726 (Stone Springs Road) to the north.
Alternative 4 begins on existing Route 726 (Stone Springs Road) near the City of Harrisonburg limits. This concept involves constructing a four-lane road mostly on new location to connect with the City of Harrisonburg’s proposed upgrade of Stone Springs Road. There would be no interchange with I-81. The road would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined. As with Alternatives 2 and 3, the intersection of Route 704 (Boyers Road) with Route 33 would be relocated southward about 1,200 feet.
In addition to these build alternatives, a no-build alternative also is being considered. If the no-build option is selected, then only other transportation projects in the regional long-range transportation plan will be implemented.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement that is being prepared will be available for public review and comment 30 days prior to the public hearing to be scheduled this fall. After results of the public hearing are compiled, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, comprised of citizens appointed by the Governor, will select a preferred alternative. A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will then be prepared and presented to the Federal Highway Administration for approval.
To get details on the proposed alternatives and other study information, or to provide comments, visit the study web site at http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/SEConnector.asp
At the March public meeting VDOT showed a number of different roadway segments connecting U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 33. Some of these involved upgrades to existing roads while others involved highway construction on new location. After further consideration and adjustments to some of the segments, four possible routes--Alternatives 1 through 4--were chosen for detailed study.
Alternative 1 begins at the Bridgewater interchange (Interchange 240) and follows existing Route 682 (Friedens Church Road) and Route 276 (Cross Keys Road), except for a short section that would bypass the corner at Friedens Church. This concept would involve widening the existing road to four lanes with a median between I-81 and Route 681 (South Whitesel Church Road). From Route 681 to Route 276, the existing road would be widened and upgraded to current standards. Route 276 would remain two lanes within the existing 80-foot-wide right of way to avoid and minimize effects on the Cross Keys Battlefield. However, the roadway would be upgraded to provide shoulders and address other safety and design issues.
Alternative 2 begins at Route 11 and follows existing Route 704 to I-81. At this point it extends on new location to Route 253 (Port Republic Road), in part to avoid the Pleasant Valley historic district and stream impacts to Pleasant Run. It then follows existing Route 704 (Boyers Road), but involves relocating the Route 704 intersection with Route 33 southward about 1,200 feet. Alternative 2 is proposed as a four-lane road with a median, and would not involve construction of a new interchange with I-81. It would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined.
Alternative 3 begins at Route 11 following portions of Route 710 (Greendale and Ridgedale Roads) but otherwise the remainder of this alternative is on new location. This concept would involve constructing a four-lane road with a median 16-feet wide. The existing interchange at I-81 (Exit 243) near Pleasant Valley Road would be reconstructed. East of Port Republic Road, the alignment skirts the northern boundary of property to which Rockingham Memorial Hospital has proposed to relocate. The road would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined. As with Alternative 2, the intersection of Route 704 (Boyers Road) with Route 33 would be relocated southward about 1,200 feet. Also, this alternative would include a spur connecting it with Route 726 (Stone Springs Road) to the north.
Alternative 4 begins on existing Route 726 (Stone Springs Road) near the City of Harrisonburg limits. This concept involves constructing a four-lane road mostly on new location to connect with the City of Harrisonburg’s proposed upgrade of Stone Springs Road. There would be no interchange with I-81. The road would have “controlled access,” that is, access only at intersecting roadways and at property entrances to be determined. As with Alternatives 2 and 3, the intersection of Route 704 (Boyers Road) with Route 33 would be relocated southward about 1,200 feet.
In addition to these build alternatives, a no-build alternative also is being considered. If the no-build option is selected, then only other transportation projects in the regional long-range transportation plan will be implemented.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement that is being prepared will be available for public review and comment 30 days prior to the public hearing to be scheduled this fall. After results of the public hearing are compiled, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, comprised of citizens appointed by the Governor, will select a preferred alternative. A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will then be prepared and presented to the Federal Highway Administration for approval.
To get details on the proposed alternatives and other study information, or to provide comments, visit the study web site at http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/SEConnector.asp
Page last modified: July 11, 2005
