Nelson County Supervisors officially call for a speed study on Route 151

The Nelson County Board of Supervisors has formally asked the Virginia Department of Transportation to take the first step toward reducing the speed limit on a portion of Route 151. They made a motion at their meeting on Tuesday.  

The conversation began when Central District Supervisor Ernie Reed said he had met with County Administrator Candy McGarry to discuss the idea of making the road safer.

“The County Administrator and I have some discussion about moving forward on the procedure for looking into reducing the speed limit and restricting through truck traffic along Route 151 in the Rockfish Valley,” Reed said.

McGarry said the Board could vote on a request to conduct the speed study which would be the first step in reducing the posted speed limit. After some discussion, the four Supervisors present voted to formally make that request. 

South District Supervisor Jessica Ligon said she wanted to request a speed study on U.S. 29 to reduce the speed limit from Lovingston south to Nelson County High School. 

“It’s a big dangerous getting on 29 and we have a new business across the road from Vito’s and a lot of people are making a U-turn off of north 29 onto south 29 and that is impressive,” Ligon said. 

VDOT engineer Robert Brown asked if the Board would like more information about access management options on U.S. 29 in the future. There was not a formal resolution but Supervisors had consensus to proceed. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation is also conducting a study of 14 miles along Route 151 in the Rockfish Valley. In November, VDOT released a 32-page report with potential improvements to address safety concerns. (Route 151 alternatives in Nelson County available for review, November 29, 2023)

North District Supervisor Tommy Harvey was absent from the meeting. 

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