Congestion, safety issues near Weyers Cave to be addressed thanks to new I-81 survey
WEYERS CAVE — Have issues with Interstate 81 exit 235? Now's your chance to give your opinion on the safety and congestion issues surrounding it.
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is studying how to address congestion and safety issues at I-81 Exit 235 along Weyers Cave Road between Triangle Drive and U.S. 11 near Blue Ridge Community College, a release said.
The organization is having the public participate in a survey to gather input on the area's congestion and safety needs, along with proposed solutions. Survey results will inform the final study recommendations, the release said.
The Weyers Cave exit, during peak travel times, backs up onto the interstate bridge making it difficult to turn left on I-81 — both north and south bound ramps.
The Weyers Cave exit leads to Blue Ridge Community College and the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.
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Safety and congestion stats
Virginia Department of Transportation crash data from 2014 to 2020 said there have been 60 vehicular crashes at the four main intersections along Weyers Cave Road between U.S. 11 and Triangle Drive.
Of those 60 crashes, 25 crashes occurred at the Weyers Cave Road (Route 256) and I-81 southbound intersection.
11 of those 60 crashes resulted in severe injuries
Of the 11 severe injury crashes, six occurred at the Weyers Cave Road (Route 256) and I-81 northbound intersection
In terms of congestion, backups occur with the left turn lane traffic along Weyers Cave Road on the interstate bridge at the I-81 northbound and southbound intersections happen around peak morning and evening travel times, according to Zach Beard, transportation planner for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission.
According to Beard, projected traffic volume increases between now and 2045, traffic backup along Weyers Cave Road and the bridge at the I-81 north and southbound intersections will be continuous, and the current road configuration capacity will likely be unable to meet the projected traffic demand.
The intersection of Weyers Cave Road and I-81 southbound is rated a "C" level of service, which means traffic delay is minimal and traffic volume is close to capacity, data from Beard said. Based on traffic volume projections, that intersection is projected to be rated "F," which means traffic slow-downs and backups would be constant, the data said.
Survey information and links
The survey is available until Dec. 22 at metroquestsurvey.com/lj7e7d.
Those unable to access the online survey can provide comments about the I-81 Exit 235 study in the following ways:
By email: zach@cspdc.org
By mail: Write to Zach Beard, Transportation Planner, CSPDC/SAWMPO, 112 MacTanly Place, Staunton, VA 24401.
By phone: Call 540-885-5174, ext. 117. Voice mail will be recorded and transcribed.
Laura Peters is the trending topics reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Or a good feature? You can reach reporter Laura Peters (she/her) at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura. Subscribe to The News Leader at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Interstate 81 congestion, safety issues near Weyers Cave to be addressed thanks to new survey
