VDOT holds public hearing for intersection improvements at Route 460 and Blackwater Road in Bedford County

SALEM — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invites the public to attend a design public hearing for a project to improve the intersection of Route 460 (Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike) and Route 668 (Blackwater Road) in Bedford County.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, June 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at New London Academy located at 1133 Academy Lane in Forest. The hearing will be held in an “open-house” format, and VDOT representatives will be present to answer questions.

The purpose of this project is to improve safety and traffic flow by converting the intersection at Route 460 and Blackwater Road to a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). This project is intended to reduce rear-end collisions and angle crashes.

An RCUT is an innovative intersection that would eliminate left turns from northbound Route 668 onto westbound Route 460. Motorists who currently turn left onto Route 460 would make right turns and proceed to make a U-turn. To the east of the intersection, the existing crossover would be relocated approximately 500 feet further east and the existing turn lane extended to help accommodate U-turns.

Comments about the project may be submitted at the meeting or until July 9, 2023, to Eli Mannon, Project Manager, 731 Harrison Avenue, Salem, VA 24153. Comments may also be emailed to Eli.Mannon@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “Route 460 at Blackwater Road Public Comment” in the subject heading.

Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact Eli Mannon at 540-387-5353, 800-367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711.