RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Jason Bond 540-387-5250 saleminfo@VirginiaDOT.org

SAL-151 Dec. 22, 2004

VDOT SCHEDULES CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETINGS ON SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR ROUTE 220

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold three citizen information meetings concerning proposed short-term safety improvements on the section of Route 220 from the North Carolina state line north to Elm Avenue in the city of Roanoke. The proposed improvements include building additional turn lanes, upgrading or closing crossovers, upgrading guardrail and adding dynamic message signs.

The information meetings will be held from 5-7 p.m. on these dates and at these locations:

· January 4: Ridgeway Elementary School, located at 380 Church St. in Ridgeway
· January 5: Franklin County High School, located at 700 Tanyard Road in Rocky Mount
· January 6: Clearbrook Elementary School, located at 5205 Franklin Road in Roanoke County

If inclement weather causes school closings, that night’s meeting will be rescheduled.

The purpose of the meetings is to give people an opportunity to review and discuss preliminary information for the proposed road improvements. Each meeting will be held in an informal “open house” style. People may attend at their convenience. VDOT representatives will be present to explain the project and answer questions.

Written comments about the project may be submitted at the meetings or by Jan. 16 to Chris McDonald, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 3071, Salem, Va. 24153. A court reporter will be present at the meetings to receive oral comments.

Interested citizens requiring special assistance to attend and participate in the meetings or needing additional information may call one of the following VDOT offices (TDD users, call 711):

· For Henry County, call VDOT’s Martinsville Residency Office at (276) 629-2581.
· For Franklin County, call VDOT’s Rocky Mount Residency Office (540) 483-5262.
· For Roanoke County, call VDOT’s Salem Residency Office at (540) 387-5488.