RELEASE VIA VDOT – LYNCHBURG
“Economic development within Nelson and Augusta counties has led to increased truck traffic on Beech Grove/Reeds Gap Road (state route 664), a very mountainous route connecting these locations. As a result, tractor trailers are regularly becoming stuck due to the road curvature and steepness and impeding traffic, including emergency response. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), concerned about safety and congestion, has taken another look at possible solutions to the situation.
Despite interim efforts the number of incidents and delays has increased and a traffic engineering study has been conducted by VDOT’s Lynchburg District, in coordination with the Staunton District. As a result of the study, through tractor trailers will be prohibited on Beech Grove/Reeds Gap Road from Mount Torrey Road (state route 664)/Love Road (state route 814) in Augusta County to Patrick Henry Highway (VA 151) in Nelson County, a distance of 7.95 miles. Appropriate signage will be installed to alert tractor trailer drivers to this regulatory prohibition. Alternate routes such as Interstate 64 and U.S. 29 are available and more suitable for use. This prohibition shall apply only to through tractor trailers and not tractor trailers with points of origin or destination along the affected route.
Signage will be in place to alert motorists, including tractor trailer drivers to this prohibition.
Some of this traffic has, according to drivers, been guided by global positioning systems (GPS) and both the Lynchburg and Staunton districts installed signage at several locations approaching Beech Grove/Reeds Gap Road alerting tractor trailers that GPS routing is not advised on the route.
Businesses in Nelson County with concerns about access should contact Robert Brown, Robert.Brown@VDOT.Virginia.Gov, VDOT Appomattox residency administrator and those in Augusta County should contact Donald Komara, Donald.Komara@VDOT.Virginia.Gov, VDOT Harrisonburg residency administrator.”
