Following is information I received from Rossie Carroll at VDOT in response to some questions I raised. He is very responsive to issues, so if you ever have concerns, feel free to send them my way @ ridecoordinator@wabonline.org
Ken McFarland
WAB Ride Coordinator
Q: I noticed on Monticello from News Road to VA 5 that VDOT has done a lot of tar patching cracks, etc. In the process, they blew lots of debris onto the shoulders, making some areas unsafe for cyclists, possibly causing flats or accidents. Is part of the job to clean the shoulders when they are done? That would be greatly appreciated. I also noticed the sharros have been cleaned off, presumably to be re-painted, so maybe shoulder cleanup is already part of this project. (later update - they apparently did some cleaning after I sent this)
A: Monticello will be receiving a latex overlay this year and the patching, crack sealing and marking eradication is all prep work associated with the overlay. Once the overlay is complete all new pavement markings will be applied.
Q: On Monticello, the resurfacing they did on the bridge over Powhatan Creek looks great. Can they sweep up all the sand that has accumulated on the shoulders?
A: I'll see that the Rte 5000 bridge sweeping is on the schedule.
Q:Can they clean the shoulder on VA 5 from 199 to Ironbound? With the accumulation of pine needles mostly, the shoulder has become almost non-existent.
A: It will most likely be a little while before maintenance staff will be able to get to the Rte 5 shoulders. We just cleaned the worst spots on Rte 31 and it was a struggle to get enough staff to perform that work safely. I'll share this concern with the superintendent and hopefully he can work it in his schedule sooner than later.
VDOT update
