Via VDOT – Culpeper District:
Comments invited in person on June 11, via mail or email by June 21
The Virginia Department of Transportation invites the public to attend an upcoming design public hearing for the proposed project to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Route 240 (Three Notched Road), Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and Route 680 (Browns Gap Turnpike) in Albemarle County.
The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Field School of Charlottesville, 1408 Crozet Avenue, Crozet.
At the open house-style hearing, VDOT staff will be available to discuss the project at the open house style hearing. The public can review project plans, ask questions and obtain information about the project’s timeline, cost and travel impacts, as well as provide feedback on the project orally or in writing.
The proposed roundabout will improve safety at the busy intersection. Roundabouts are safer than conventional stop-controlled intersections because traffic can continually and efficiently flow through the intersection and vehicle operating speeds are lower. Additionally, roundabouts help reduce air pollution and fuel use compared to a signalized intersection due to reduced idling and less acceleration and deceleration.
During construction, VDOT proposes to close Route 680 to through traffic between Route 250 and Route 802 (Old Three Notched Road) with a posted detour. Traffic would be detoured via Route 240 to Route 802 for about two months.
Written comments can also be submitted by mail to Hal Jones, Project Manager, 701 VDOT Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911 through June 21. Email comments can be sent Harold.Jones@vdot.virginia.gov.
Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact VDOT at 540-829-7500, 800-367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711.
More information about the projects can be found on VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/culpeper/albroundabout.asp.
I see potential for this particular round about to cause rather than prevent accidents due to its unique location at the bottom of the mountain. During the winter, trucks and other vehicles could literally slide right into the middle of this round about while travelling from the mountain above. There used to be a stop sign before there were lights in this intersection. People ran over and through the stop sign many times. It was a blessing when it was removed and replaced with lights. The round about is simply a bad idea in this location. Like the stop sign, if it is built, it will have to be removed and replaced with lights in a year or two due to the large number of accidents it will cause. Stick with the stop lights. They are working well. Why change what works?