VDOT sets public hearing on proposed improvements to Route 616 in Augusta County

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a design public hearing concerning proposed improvements to Route 616 (Dam Town Road) between Fort Defiance and New Hope in Augusta County. The meeting will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Clymore Elementary School, 184 Fort Defiance Road, Fort Defiance, VA 24437. The meeting will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Citizens can come in during the meeting hours and discuss the project one-on-one with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Mr. Charles Gardner, 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.

The Route 616 reconstruction project extends 2.02 miles east of Route 777 (Knightly Lane). This project consists of shoulder widening and roadside improvements, pipe replacements and drainage upgrades, as well as brush and tree removal for improved sight distance. For the entire two miles, the project will have pavement resurfacing, new permanent signs and pavement markings.

The main focus of this project is to enhance driver safety along the project corridor.  Route 616 provides a main thoroughfare for school traffic, serving three Augusta County public schools within a very close proximity.

Route 616 has an average traffic count of 1,017 vehicles a day. The projected traffic volume in the year 2029 is 1,090 vehicles a day.

The total estimated cost for the project is $3,979,113 which includes $1,216,181 for preliminary engineering, $1,595,670 for right of way and $1,167,262 for construction.

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

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr,Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at www.VirginiaDOT.org.