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| Proposed changes (in green) to Hockett Road |
Attendance at a second community meeting about the connection
of Ashland and Hockett Roads south of 250 on January 14 was robust in comparison
to the first session held last summer. Approximately 65 people showed up at
Dover Baptist Church for to chat with VDOT personnel and look at maps of the
new road.
The project, which has “been on the books” since about 2013,
will bisect land on the southside of Broad Street Road, which has a stub at the
traffic signal, to Hockett Road north of Hickory Haven. The latest iteration
uses a roundabout to move traffic through the intersection.
Exactly where the connection will be seems to be the “sticking
point” that required another public information session. The latest versions
are quite similar, the difference being the exact location. The “choice” further
from the entrance to Hickory Haven and the Readers Branch flood plain, seems to
make the most sense.
As presented, when complete, the new road will have both
right and left turn lanes at the intersection of Broad Street and Ashland Road.
However, if you are going north on Hockett, why would you travel east and turn
left, to essentially backtrack?
The current cost estimate for the project, which will undoubtedly
increase thanks to inflation, is $17.6 million for the approximately .5050-mile
road and roundabout. This includes $1.568
million for engineering; $3.394 million for right of way acquisition and utility
relocation; and $12.7 million for actual construction. VDOT contends that roundabouts
are safer than signalized intersections and keep traffic moving, which is why
they are popping up all over central Virginia. The roundabout will have
sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. It is unclear who will use those sidewalks.
The project, according to the county website, will relieve congestion
at the Hockett and Broad intersection, which will remain signalized and allow
crossing Broad as well as left and right turns as it is now.
The new road could make the approximately 28-acre parcel on
the south side of Broad at Ashland Road, currently in agricultural use, more attractive
to badly needed economic development in Centerville Village. There have been rumors for decades about
possible commercial uses for this site. To date, it rotates crops of corn,
soybeans and wheat, which is not the “highest and best use” for this land. Will
the new road make that happen?
Goochland is dependent on VDOT for road construction, whose projects
move with glacial speed. Next steps include a design public hearing later in
2025, environmental review, and right of way acquisition. Construction is scheduled to begin in August
2028 with completion in December of 2029.
1 comment:
Thank you for reporting on this. VDOT continues to have these meetings miles away form the project location. VDOT is limiting themselves to this area because the County suggested the location of the roundabout. The folks at the County that suggested this location are no longer with the County, and I mean all of them are no longer with the County. VDOT has not considered any other locations because the County hasn't suggested any other locations. Therefore, VDOT is doing what the County has requested and we the community need to let the County know what to tell VDOT. Our community does not want another turn lane fiasco like Manakin Road onto Broad or like the Rockville Road blind hill turn lane speed limit fiasco at of the entrance to Tuckahoe Bridge Sec 2. VDOT did not provide any information about traffic count which they had also been asked about in the first meeting. I was told, "We can get you that information". VDOT had 12 representatives and none of them had that information. They also propose to have a large portion of a roundabout over the Columbia Gas main. When asked about this I was told by several VDOT representatives "This is just a location discussion meeting". Which gives the opinion they were all coached to say this when asked a question they were unprepared to answer.
They were seemingly prepared for questions but not for answers. Wouldn't you think to have the facts before you have a discussion, especially for the questions from the first meeting. In my opinion there is no need for a roundabout in this area. Extend Hockett Road to the Ashland Broad Street stop light and call it done. The current section of Hockett from Broad Street south to the Veterinary Hospital could have a "T" intersection into the Hockett Road Extension or become a dead end with a cul-de-sac. VDOT should also consider what to do about the area between the Hockett Road extension and the proposed diamond interchange at Ashland and 64. Both projects will make this area a congested cluster, defeating the purpose of both projects to ease traffic and congestion. Ms. Warwick, Thank you for your continued dedication to our community and your reporting.
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