VDOT Schedules February 3 Public Hearing in Rockingham County for Improvements to Route 33 Intersections

STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing in Rockingham County concerning improvements to the Route 33 (Spotswood Trail) intersections with Route 276/620 (Cross Keys Road/Indian Trail Road) and Rockingham Park Way. The open-house meeting will take place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Keezletown Ruritan Building, 1118 Indian Trail Rd., Keezletown VA 22832.

Citizens can come in anytime during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Submit written comments at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Jennifer Hoover, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA  24401-9029. Oral comments can be recorded at the meeting with the assistance of a court reporter.

In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the same time and location.

The two intersections along Route 33 are about 0.2-mile apart, in the Penn Laird area about two miles east of Harrisonburg.

This project constructs a new Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) at Rockingham Park Way, the entrance to Rockingham Park at the Crossroads. This includes a new U-turn lane on westbound Route 33 leading to a median opening about 700 feet west of Rockingham Park Way. The existing left-turn lane from Rockingham Park Way onto eastbound Route 33 and the Route 33 westbound left-turn lane at Rockingham Park Way would be eliminated.

The project also improves the existing signalized intersection of Route 33 with Route 276/620. The approaches on Route 276 and Route 620 would have new left- and right-turn lanes. The traffic signal would be reconstructed to accommodate the new turn lanes and optimize traffic movements. Dynamic flashing signs would be installed on the eastbound and westbound Route 33 approaches. The signs activate before the signal turns red to alert motorists to prepare to stop.

The planned RCI intersection with Rockingham Park Way will reduce crashes and congestion. The modifications to the Route 33/276 intersection will help meet traffic demand and reduce wait times.

These improvements are among the recommendations of the Route 33 Arterial Management Plan, and was selected for funding under the SMART SCALE process for prioritizing transportation projects. Click here for more information on the prioritization process as outlined by the Virginia General Assembly.

In 2022 Route 33 had an average daily traffic count of 30,000 vehicles. By the design year of 2050 the estimated daily traffic volume will be 33,900. In 2022 Route 276 had an average daily traffic count of 10,000 vehicles. By 2050 the estimated daily traffic volume will be 12,000. In 2022 Route 620 had an average daily traffic count of 5,000 vehicles. By 2050 the estimated daily traffic volume will be 6,700.

The total estimated cost of this project is $13.2 million, which includes $2.1 million for preliminary engineering, $1.8 million for right of way acquisition and utility relocation, and $9.3 million for construction.

Additional information is on the VDOT project page.

The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.

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The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.