In-depth and sometimes heated discussions have taken place in two counties concerning a corridor study currently taking place on Route 60.

The two public hearings scheduled by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for the study took place in Buckingham and Powhatan counties on July 17 and July 24 respectively.

At the hearings, posters of the corridor were displayed, as well as graphics showing the highest concentrations of fatal accidents or the highest concentration of traffic delays on the 103-mile corridor.

Presenter Brad Shelton with Michael Baker International, a consulting organization, cited that the goal of the study was to understand the corridor, its challenges and pursue solutions that could lessen traffic congestion, prevent fatalities and allow for economic growth.

The participants of the study are VDOT, Buckingham County, Cumberland County, Powhatan County, Amherst County, Nelson County, Appomattox County, the Commonwealth Regional Council among other planning district commissions.

Two solutions presented for more difficult roadways, according to Shelton, include the Continuous Green T and the Restricted Crossing U-Turn intersection (RCUT).

In the Continuous Green T, one section of route can drive one way without stopping. Vehicles turning left stop at an intersection before turning. This intersection design can help prevent angle crashes, according to VDOT officials.

The RCUT offers specific sections where motorists can make a U-turn. The RCUT route prevents conflict points, or opportunities for vehicles to cross each other and heighten the risk for collision or other accidents.

Participants of both meetings pointed out that rush hour times differ from what is conventionally assumed, as often residents of Cumberland in particular are commuting to Richmond between 6-7 a.m. This is also the time that school buses are traveling down Route 60 to pick up students.

“We need these results right away, not in 20 years,” Patty Pedrick, of Cumberland, said.

Buckingham District Four Supervisor Morgan Dunnavant asked about whether there were potential issues at Sprouse’s Corner. He praised VDOT for examining Route 24.

Shelton said VDOT was taking into account past accident history at Sprouse’s Corner and some delays. Dunnanvant said the only busy times at the intersection are when school buses are traveling the intersection.

“This corridor functions really well for the most part,” Shelton said. He mentioned that there are major issues, however that they want to study.

The concern for many Powhatan and Cumberland residents at the VDOT Powhatan hearing was the Green Ridge landfill, and if the study would take into consideration truck traffic that could result from the landfill.

Chris Detmer with Virginia Department of Transportation and Dan Scolese with Michael Baker International also answered questions during the Powhatan hearing.

Kirstin Whitely asked if school buses are also taken into consideration in the study, citing that her son waits at the route in the mornings. She suggested targeted focus groups as part of the study, which can include school bus drivers.

Organizers said the study is based from traffic reports received from VDOT. The Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) demonstrates the traffic activity on Route 60 during peak hours, collected during the school year, which would count school buses. Heavy vehicles are documented, though not specific types of vehicles, such as buses.

These are the figures that would be taken into consideration during the corridor study.

“We’re going to take all of the numbers into account,” Detmer said.

In response to a comment by speaker Keith Buch about the Green Ridge landfill, Shelton said, “We’re taking into account the impact of the landfill.” He said they are also taking into account subdivisions and other projects.

A speaker suggested that Prince Edward (County) potentially be involved with the corridor study, citing that vehicles with Green Ridge could drive through the Town of Farmville.

Victoria Ronnau spoke about a letter from District 24 State Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., requesting to Commissioner Stephen Birch that further traffic study be conducted to determine whether the landfill traffic could present an issue for the roadway or for traffic. She asked that VDOT consider a traffic impact and road adequacy study.

She asked how many petitions or signatures would be needed to allow the traffic impact study to move forward. Detmer said he did not know, but he said he could bring the petition to upper management with VDOT.

Detmer said during the meeting that cost-efficient solutions were more likely to be approved.

“That’s the environment we’re in today, that’s how you get funding through SMARTSCALE … the days of building bypasses, widenings, are few and far between.”

Detmer said the purpose of the public hearings are to receive public comment and have that factor into the areas of the study.

“It could matter,” Detmer said about the hearing. “That’s a decision that’s going to be made above my pay grade.”

“Your pay grade is paid by us,” Cecil Youngblood said. He said he was involved in a serious incident in 1994 involving an empty log truck. He said he lived in the area for nearly 50 years and asked organizers to consider the safety of the corridor. He stood up and pointed his hand to the front of the room.

“We live in it,” he said about the corridor area.

Audience members expressed frustration and said that those organizing the study could not understand the issues faced by motorists on the road because they did not live in the area.

“You’re absolutely right, we don’t live here and that’s why we’re here tonight,” Shelton said. “I am sincere when I say I want all of your comments about what we could be taking into account on this corridor, write them down, put them in the comment box. We take them into consideration.”

Detmer said he lived in Moseley and that VDOT would consider all perspectives during the meeting.

Cumberland County Chairman David Meinhard noted that there was a similar corridor study that took place in 1999. He argued that nothing was done as a result of the study until now.

“I guess we’re looking at starting over the study in 2020 and put off anything that needs to be done to Route 60 for another 20 years,” Meinhard said during the meeting.

“We hope that’s not the case,” Detmer responded.

“What was done to improve 60 in that area during that time? Can you show me anything?” Meinhard asked.

During both meetings, participants could mark where on the corridor they wanted VDOT representatives to study, speak with VDOT representatives and provide verbal or written comments.

VDOT is accepting written comments until Saturday, Aug. 3, to Darrel Johnson, project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 E. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23219. Comments can also be submitted by phone at (804) 371-8868, (800) 367-7623 for those deaf or hard of hearing, and by email at Darrel.johnson@vdot.virginia.gov. People are asked to reference “US Route 60 corridor study” in the subject line.