VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — The first of 163 transportation projects funded through Virginia’s new SMART SCALE prioritization process is advancing toward construction.

Located in Fluvanna County, the Route 15/53 roundabout project was advertised for construction bids yesterday. The project will replace the existing T-intersection with a roundabout for improved safety and efficiency of travel. Features include street lighting, landscaping and a shared-use path and sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Bids are due to the Virginia Department of Transportation on July 27 and construction is expected to begin in the fall. Project completion is set for Aug. 23, 2017.

The roundabout project was introduced by Fluvanna County in 2011. Through the revenue-sharing program, an initial $1.1 million allowed VDOT to complete project design and right of way acquisition and get the project ready to build. In the first round of the SMART SCALE process, previously called House Bill Two or HB2, the county applied for the $1,400,600 balance needed for construction. These funds were approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) yesterday.

SMART SCALE is a data-driven process that identifies projects providing the greatest return on investment and guides the funding decisions of the CTB. Scoring is based on how well a candidate project eases congestion; improves economic development; provides accessibility to jobs; improves safety and environmental quality; and supports transportation-efficient land use. The Route 15/53 roundabout ranked 39th out of 321 projects statewide, and third out of 17 projects submitted in the nine-county Culpeper District.

Construction advertisement information is online at cabb.virginiadot.org.

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