Traffic Safety, Land Use and the 151 Corridor

  Traffic safety is the “hands-down” greatest concern that I hear from the central district community. In response, I have pushed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to undertake speed studies, speed reductions and tractor-trailer limitations along Rt 151 and Rt 6/River Road. At this time, according to VDOT, these areas do not quality for any of these projects that would make these roads safer for all. I will continue to advocate aggressively for these regardless.

  Pedestrian trails, bicycle lanes and crosswalks can be created together with reductions of speed limits and limits on tractor-trailers. The Wintergreen/Stoney Creek road system and the Rockfish Valley Foundation already present a skeleton that combination of private and VDOT easements could use to link Beech Grove Road (Rt 664) and the Village of Nellysford and eventually the Rockfish Valley Community Center.

  In the short term, the forthcoming roundabout at Rt 151/Rt 6 will necessitate speed reductions leading to and from the interchange. A crosswalk in the Village of Nellysford connecting the east and west sides of Rt 151 will do the same.

  As the county continues to promote and provide infrastructure along the U.S. 29 corridor for future housing and development, the Village of Nellysford will be able to limit growth, maintain its scenic character and become a safer transportation corridor.

  In March 2017, after years of public input and planning, the Rockfish Valley Area Plan was completed but never adopted by the Board of Supervisors. After an attempt to revisit this was scuttled by members of the public in 2023, the county is preparing to revisit the process and the current community priorities for the 151 Corridor and to amend our zoning ordinances accordingly.