VDOT Schedules January 14 Public Hearing in Front Royal for South Street Improvements

STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing concerning improvements to South Street in the Town of Front Royal. The open-house meeting will take place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Samuels Public Library, 330 E. Criser Rd., Front Royal, VA  22630.

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 days after the meeting date to Cameron Murie, 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 public hearing will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the same time and location.

This project is designed to improve safety along South Street between the intersections with Hill Street and Commerce Avenue / Remount Road (Route 522). This stretch of road has many businesses and considerable pedestrian, light-vehicle and heavy-vehicle traffic.

Proposed improvements include the addition of crosswalks at several locations along and across South Street, upgrading existing traffic signals, and adding raised medians that can be utilized as pedestrian refuge areas. These improvements will enhance safety by reducing vehicle-pedestrian and vehicle-vehicle conflicts.

In 2023 South Street had an average traffic count of 14,137 vehicles per day. By the design year of 2050 the estimated daily traffic volume will be 16,100 vehicles per day.

The total estimated cost of this project is $4 million, which includes $482,000 for preliminary engineering, $561,000 for right of way acquisition and utility relocation, and $3 million for construction.

This project was selected for funding under the SMART SCALE process for prioritizing transportation projects. Additional information about the improvements is available 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.

Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. News releases, travel tips and project updates are on the VDOT website.

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