| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sandy Myers (540) 332-9201 Sandy.Myers@vdot.virginia.gov Cellular: (540) 292-2500 |
STA-083 May 7, 2008 |
VDOT SLATES ROUTE 42 PUBLIC HEARING IN AUGUSTA COUNTY
STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a design public hearing for a portion of Route 42 in Augusta County. The meeting is scheduled for May 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the North River Elementary School in the community of Mount Solon.Citizens can come in during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 calendar days after the meeting date to Mr. Garrett W. Moore, P.E. Virginia Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 2249, Staunton, VA 24402-2249. Oral comments can be recorded at the hearing with the assistance of a court reporter.
This project will replace an existing bridge on Route 42, built in 1908, over a tributary to Mossy Creek. The proposed work will also improve the road alignment, shoulders and drainage. Route 42 will have two 12-foot travel lanes with eight-foot shoulders that will include four feet of paved shoulder.
This portion of Route 42 is located between a National Historic Registered house and its spring house. The new alignment will help straighten Route 42 by relocating the road north of the spring house. The proposed improvements are located between 0.63 mile and 0.9 mile south of the Rockingham County line. Additionally the intersection of Route 42 and Route 809 will be realigned to improve sight distance.
During construction property owners and residents will have access to their entrances. However, a detour will be in place on Route 42 for both northbound and southbound traffic. The detour will use Route 646 (Fadley Road) and Route 699 (Centerville Road). The detour is anticipated to extent the travel time through this area from four to seven minutes. Travelers should anticipate the detour to be in place for one to two months.
This project will not require the relocation of any families, businesses or non-profit organizations.
An environmental document, prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act in the form of a categorical exclusion, was prepared for this project and will be available at the public hearing. In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800, information concerning the potential effects of the proposed improvement on properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places will be available at the public hearing.
The estimated cost of this project is $1,760,000, which includes $242,000 for preliminary engineering, $206,000 for right of way acquisition and utility relocation and $1,312,000 for construction.
The project will receive consideration for design approval from the VDOT Chief Engineer in mid 2008. Right of way activities will begin in late 2008 with construction advertisement in early 2010.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-866-MY511VA (695-1182). (TTY/TDD users, call 711). Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.
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