News
Share Your Input on Potential Congestion and Safety Solutions at I-81 Exit 235 along Weyers Cave Road (Route 256) and Route 11 in Weyers Cave
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is studying how to address congestion and safety issues at I-81 Exit 235 along Weyers Cave Road (VA 256) between Triangle Drive and Route 11 near Blue Ridge Community College.
The survey is seeking public input on the area’s congestion and safety needs, and the proposed
solutions. The survey responses will inform the final study recommendations. The survey is
available online from December 3 to December 22, 2021 at: http://metroquestsurvey.com/lj7e7d
Weyers Cave Road at I-81 Exit 235 serves regional destinations such as Blue Ridge
Community College and the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. During peak travel times,
traffic back-up on the interstate bridge makes it difficult to turn left onto the I-81 north and south
bound ramps, and to access Route 11.
Those unable to access the online survey can provide comments about the I-81 Exit 235 study
in the following ways:
- By email: zach@cspdc.org
- By mail: Write to Zach Beard, Transportation Planner, CSPDC/SAWMPO, 112 MacTanly
Place, Staunton, VA 24401. - By phone: Call 540-885-5174, ext. 117. Voice mail will be recorded and transcribed.
The SAWMPO is the regional transportation planning organization for Staunton, Augusta
County, and Waynesboro, and consists of representatives from local, state and federal
governments, transit agencies, transportation providers, and other stakeholders. For more
information, visit sawmpo.org.
Chesapeake Bay WIP Program Stormwater Toolkit
Check out the new Stormwater Toolkit developed by the Central Shenandoah PDC for the Chesapeake Bay WIP program. This toolkit (please click link) provides resources for stormwater runoff management, including best practices, helpful links, and educational activities. We hope this will be a useful document for our localities and local watershed organizations.
TAP Pre-Applications Submitted
Every two years, eligible applicants in our region submit project applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which funds non-motorized transportation projects like sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails. The CSPDC partnered with multiple local governments to submit eight TAP applications by the October 1, 2021 deadline. VDOT will review the applications and announce project awards in spring 2022.
Counties Apply for State Broadband Funds
On behalf of the Bath-Highland Network Authority (BHNA), the CSPDC applied for 2022 VATI funds with MGW serving as co-applicant to bring universal broadband coverage to Bath and Highland counties. The over $10 million project will deploy last mile fiber to 2,470 locations in both counties.
The CSPDC also assisted Rockbridge County with their 2022 VATI application consisting of two projects totaling over $21 million. BARC Electric and the Rockbridge Area Network Authority (RANA) served as co-applicants in the proposal that includes two projects providing high-speed internet to 2,338 premises located in remote areas with difficult topography.
Augusta and Rockingham counties partnered with six other counties in the northern Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont region on a $300M VATI broadband project. If funded, All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy, and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative will work together to deploy fiber-to-the-home infrastructure to 42,693 locations in the eight-county region.
Awards are expected to be announced in December 2021.
Data Research for Recovery Plan Completed
Chumra Economics and Analytics has been working with the CSPDC to provide local and regional data that will be included in the Central Shenandoah Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan. Data analysis by Chmura includes the impact of the pandemic on various industry sectors and employment, including the effect on downtowns and the housing and commercial real estate markets. New business trends such as the sizable employee shift to teleworking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is also included in the analysis.
The next step in completion of the Plan will be for the CSPDC to integrate Chmura’s research into the overall planning document. It is anticipated that the Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan will be completed and available for distribution in early 2022.