The regulations and standards would manage the location, number, spacing and design of entrances, intersections, median openings, turn lanes, and traffic signals on VDOT controlled minor arterials, collectors, and local streets.

They would apply to entrances and exits for commercial, industrial and residential developments but would not affect private driveway entrances from state highways to individual residences.

Reasonably managing where vehicles can turn on to and from highways can help lower the number of crashes and reduce injuries and fatalities. It can also reduce traffic delays and congestion, help keep people and goods moving efficiently and reduce the needs for new or wider highways.

For those not attending one of the hearings, VDOT will accept comments on the proposed regulations and design standards until 5 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The regulations and standards apply to state highways with a functional classification of minor arterial, collector or local street. Maps identifying the classification of state highways are available at www.virginiadot.org/projects/fxn_class/home.asp.

The public hearings will be held:

• Tuesday, October 28, 1 – 3 p.m., Richmond Hearing, John Tyler Community College, Chester Campus, Bird Hall, Room B124, 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester
  
  
• Thursday, October 30, 1 – 3 p.m., Staunton Hearing, Augusta County Government Center, Supervisors’ Board Room, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona
  
  
 
• Wednesday, November 5, 10 a.m.– noon, Northern Virginia Hearing, VDOT NOVA District Office, Fairfax Conference Rm, 1st Floor, 14685 Avion Parkway, Chantilly
  
  
 
• Wednesday, November 12, 1 – 3 p.m., Southwest Virginia Hearing, New River Community College, Edwards Hall, Room 206, 5251 College Drive, Dublin

Comments may be submitted using an e-mail form at www.virginiadot.org/projects/accessmgt/default.asp or by e-mail to Paul.Grasewicz@vdot.virginia.gov.

Those choosing to use U.S. mail can send comments to: Paul Grasewicz, VDOT Land Use Section, Maintenance Division, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

The 2007 General Assembly adopted legislation (§ 33.1- 198.1 of the Code of Virginia) that directed the commonwealth transportation commissioner to develop and publish Access Management Regulations by Dec. 31, 2007 to become effective July 1, 2008.

The regulations and standards were developed by VDOT staff with input from representatives of local government, the development community, the environmental community and transportation engineering organizations.

The 2008 General Assembly amended § 33.1- 198.1 to establish that the regulations developed during 2007 be promulgated in phases. The regulations and standards for principal arterials went into effect July 1, 2008.

The promulgation of the proposed regulations for minor arterials, collectors, and local streets are subject to the Administrative Process Act and will go into effect Oct. 1, 2009.

For more information about highway access management, the proposed regulations and standards or the public hearings, go to www.virginiadot.org/projects/accessmgt/default.asp.

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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.