VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION LINKS PLAN: Final Report Montgomery County, VA June 25, 2007 June 13, 2007 Approved by the Planning Commission subject to additional study being made of the Belview and Riner demonstration projects prior to seeking grant funding for these projects. June 25, 2007 Approved by the Board of Supervisors Prepared By: RENAISSANCE PLANNING GROUP MONTGOMERY COUNTY VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION LINKS (VITL) PLANS: FINAL VITL Prepared for: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VIRGINIA PREPARED BY: June 25, 2007 Prepared in cooperation with the U.S .Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s) who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration, the Virginia Department of Transportation, or the New River Valley Planning District Commission. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Federal Highway Administration or Virginia Department of Transportation acceptance of the report as evidence of fulfillment of the objectives of this planning study does not constitute endorsement/approval of the need for any recommended improvements nor does it constitute approval of their location and design or a commitment to fund any such improvements. Additional project level environmental impact assessments and/or studies of alternatives may be necessary. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..............................................................................1 Introduction ....……………………………………………………………………………..1 Summary of Planning Process............................................................................................................2 Summary of Community Input ...........................................................................................................2 Explanation of Document Format......................................................................................................4 PART 1. DESIGN GUIDELINES ......…………………………………………5 Facility guidelines ................................................................................................................................6 Crossing standards ..............................................................................................................................7 PART 2. VITL PLAN……………...………………………………………….9 County....................................................................................................................................................9 Riner ....................................................................................................................................................15 Belview................................................................................................................................................21 Prices Fork..........................................................................................................................................27 Plum Creek.........................................................................................................................................32 Shawsville ………………………………………………………………………………..37 Elliston + Lafayette ..........................................................................................................................42 PART 3. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ………………………………….48 Phasing Schedule and Responsible Parties ..……………………………………………..51 Funding Sources ....……………………………………………………………………….56 APPENDIX 1 Technical Memorandum 1 – Existing Conditions Technical Memorandum 2 – Trail Design Standards Technical Memorandum 3 – Crossing Standards VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION LINKS PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION The purpose of the Village Transportation These include: Links (VITL) Plans is to develop a • connecting activities/spaces within comprehensive Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Villages Greenways Master Plan for each of the • strengthening a sense of place and villages designated in the 2004 sense of community in each village Montgomery County Comprehensive • improving connections to schools Plan. As an element of the • tying into regional trails & resources Comprehensive Plan, the Village • tying into intermodal connections Transportation Links (VITL) Plans will • leveraging public/private funding build a vision for non-motorized opportunities transportation access and mobility within and between each of the County’s These goals have been affirmed through the designated villages. VITL Plans will public input process and support the overall enhance transportation by providing both purpose of developing a comprehensive Village local and regional links that enable Transportation Links plan. residents to use non-motorized transportation for trips to school, parks, The plan identifies specific improvements and and local businesses, as well as commute implementation priorities for an to nearby centers such as Blacksburg, interconnected network of bicycling and Christiansburg, and Radford. walking facilities that complements each Additionally, a non-motorized Village’s and the County’s overall transportation network will reinforce the transportation system. This includes an overall sense of community and support more Connectivity Framework plan that shows compact land development within each linkages between the Villages and connections village. to the regional trail and bike route network, as well as design standards and appropriate cross- Throughout the planning process, a sectional and construction standards for each number of goals have emerged that linkage and trail segment. It is important to reinforce the project’s stated purpose. note that the VITL emphasizes improvements that can be achieved in the shorter term, such as signing designated routes, but recognizes MONTGOMERY COUNTY VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION LINKS (VITL) PLAN - Final June 25, 2007 1 that higher-level improvements, such as shoulder, posted speed limits and connections buffered sidewalks and designated bicycle to key destinations. lanes, are more feasible in conjunction with other significant public or private 2. Public and Key Stakeholder Input investments such as road widening or A considerable effort was undertaken to gather development. input from residents and key stakeholders from each of the seven villages, neighboring It is intended for this plan to be municipalities, the regional metropolitan incorporated into the Montgomery planning organization and the Virginia County Comprehensive Plan through the Department of Transportation. The public formal County plan amendment process. input process was an essential component in It is anticipated that the VITL plan will be affirming goals, and selecting and prioritizing adopted as a chapter of the destinations, routes, and facility standards. Comprehensive Plan and cross-referenced This process is described in more detail below. with the Village Plans, and with the Parks and Recreation, and Transportation 3. Draft and Final Plan and Route chapters. Furthermore, the VITL Network planning effort, along with the work of The Village Transportation Links Plan was the appointed Citizen Advisory developed in coordination with the Citizen’s Committee, will serve as a foundation for Advisory Committee, the Montgomery future policy and implementation County Planning Commission and Parks and directives that deal with non-motorized Recreation Commission. transportation in Montgomery County. SUMMARY OF PLANNING PROCESS SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY INPUT The planning process for this study The VITL plan relied heavily on the public involved a number of different activities participation process, including consultation and outreach efforts. The process is with the Citizen’s Advisory Committee briefly outlined below: (CAC), public workshops, and meetings with key stakeholders. 1. Field Analysis An analysis of existing conditions was • A Citizens’ Advisory Committee was formed conducted in the field for all villages and to guide the planning process and ensure that key roadway segments. It included visual the needs of residents would be addressed by inspection of right of way width, the final plan. The committee was comprised pavement conditions, presence of of representatives from various villages, the MONTGOMERY COUNTY VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION LINKS (VITL) PLAN - Final June 25, 2007 2 County Planning Commission, Parks and issues were identified as being important for Recreation Commission and the County the future of bicycle and pedestrian access in staff. The Committee was closely Montgomery County: involved throughout the development of • Safety. All of the villages have at least one the plan, commenting on the route major thoroughfare traversing the village. network and implementation priorities. Workshop participants expressed concern over the safety of users sharing theses high speed • Four public workshops were held at the and high traffic roadways. Traffic calming and County’s office building from October reducing travel speeds within the village 2006 to March 2007 to obtain feedback boundaries were often cited as critical issues to on the goals of the plan, route consider to improve the safety of the roads and alignments, facility and crossing provide safe access to schools. standards, and implementation priorities. They were well attended and participants • Connectivity. Residents want to be able to included citizens and members of local have access to key destinations