VDOT seeking input on Virginia Avenue (Route 42) planning study in Harrisonburg

STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in partnership with the City of Harrisonburg, is seeking feedback on a transportation study assessing potential solutions for Virginia Avenue (Route 42) between Gay Street and the Harrisonburg northern city limits.

This study focuses on measures to encourage lower speeds, improve safety, and enhance connectivity for all roadway users including pedestrians. Community input received through this survey will help the study team understand perspectives on proposed solutions and develop final recommendations to address issues along the study corridor.

VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more and take an online survey which is available Dec. 9 to Dec. 23, 2025. The survey, which has a translation tool for multiple languages, is available at https://publicinput.com/st-25-01alts. Comments can also be sent to brad.reed@vdot.virginia.gov or to Brad Reed, Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA  24401-9029.

In addition to the online survey, VDOT and the city of Harrisonburg will host open-house meetings on Thursday, Dec. 11. There will be two meeting times and locations for the community to share their experiences, thoughts and questions:

• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) Strite Auditorium at Crestwood, 1401 Virginia Ave.
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Harrisonburg City Hall (Council Chambers), 409 S. Main St.

The Virginia Avenue study is being conducted as part of the Project Pipeline program, which was created by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). Project Pipeline is a performance-based planning program to identify cost-effective solutions to multimodal transportation needs in Virginia. Project Pipeline is led by Virginia’s Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI), in collaboration with VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

This study is expected to be completed in summer 2026; it does not set construction dates for any improvements. The study will recommend projects, solutions, and investment strategies that may be considered for statewide funding programs such as SMART SCALE, Revenue Sharing, and Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), as well as regional and local funding sources.

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.