Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine how to increase safety and improve traffic flow within a 42-mile corridor of Route 501 in Campbell and Halifax Counties through a variety of localized improvements.  

Improvement options:

• Passing Zones - legal passing area along a two-lane highway depicted by dashed pavement markings
• Passing Lanes - additional travel lane added in one direction 
• Left Turn Lane - additional third lane which allows for storage of a vehicle attempting a left turn.  It is normally built within 50 to 100 feet of an intersection
• Right Turn Lane - additional third lane which allows a vehicle making a right turn to slow down and safely maneuver the turn without impacting operations in the main travel lanes 
• Wider Shoulders
• Intersection Lighting 
• Signage Improvements 
• Horizontal Alignment Improvements 
• Vertical Alignment Improvements/Improved Sight Distance

April 5, 2012 Citizen Information Meeting

VDOT TO HOST CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETING FOR ROUTE 501 PROJECT IN CAMPBELL AND HALIFAX COUNTIES

Meeting Scheduled for April 5 in Brookneal 

LYNCHBURG — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host a second citizen information meeting  regarding spot improvements to Route 501 in Campbell and Halifax counties on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

The meeting will be held between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Brookneal Elementary School gymnasium located at 133 Charlotte Street, Brookneal, VA  24528.  Robert H. Cary, PE, LS, VDOT Lynchburg District Administrator will make a presentation at 5:15 p.m. providing information about the project and the planning process.  

The primary purpose of this project is to improve traffic flow and safety on Route 501 from the intersection of Routes 24 and 501 in Rustburg to the intersection of Routes 360 and 501 in the Town of Halifax. 

Spot improvements are anticipated to include, but are not limited to, passing zones, adding a third lane to serve as a left turn lane, additional right turn lanes at connecting routes, adding a third lane to serve as a passing lane, adding signs for safety and improved traffic flow, improving vertical sight distance and installing additional guardrail and widening shoulders. 

The following is a preliminary list of the priority improvements for the Route 501 Corridor.  These projects have been identified as priority improvements based upon previous studies, including VDOT’s Roadway Safety Audit and various rural long-range transportation plans, in addition to comments provided by the public and local officials during the current planning process.  These improvements will be analyzed in greater detail to better understand the benefits and impacts of each: 

Intersections:

• Campbell County:
  • Route 24 East
  • Route 607
  • Route 761/652
  • Route 633
• Halifax County:
  • Route 40/632
  • Route 628
  • Route 642
  • Route 360

Passing Lane Sections:

The priority will be to recommend at least one passing lane section, per direction, per county.  The following are the sections which are being studied in further detail to determine final priority:

• Campbell County:
  • Route 635 to Route 607
  • Route 970 to 1.6 miles north of Route 970
  • Route 972 to Route 605
• Halifax County:
  • Route 905 to southern intersection of Route 645
  • Route 628 to Route 907
  • Route 610 to Route 643

The approximately $11.2 million project could be advertised for construction in June 2014.

Additional information on the project can be viewed at VDOT’s Lynchburg District Office at 4219 Campbell Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501, 434-947-6559, 800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711.  Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.

April 5, 2012 Displays Board (shown at right)

Click on display to enlarge. 

December 15, 2011 Citizen Information Meeting

Note: Corridor aerial and county maps are at right.  

Display board (above) 

Comment summary:

/VDOT/Projects/Lynchburg/asset_upload_file88_56618.pdf