The Henry County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to submit three projects to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for funding through the Smart Scale program.
A priority for the Board this year is the reconstruction of the intersection of U.S. 220 South and Route 87 using a “Continuous Green T” (CGT) design to more efficiently and safely move traffic through the intersection.
The primary benefit to a CGT design is that one side of a major street can pass through the intersection without stopping, while the opposite side is typically controlled by a traffic signal. If implemented in Henry County, traffic on the southbound lane of U.S. 220 would be able to move continuously except for those turning left onto Route 87. Traffic turning left from Route 87 would use a channelized receiving lane to merge onto U.S. 220 South.
This project coincides with other area initiatives to promote safety improvements along U.S. 220 South from the Route 58 bypass to the North Carolina border.
A group of local business and education leaders recently have been lobbying lawmakers to support similar efforts to spur regional economic development along the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor—an area encompassing the Martinsville, Danville, Roanoke and Blacksburg markets. As part of their economic development strategy, the group seeks to enhance the southbound lanes of U.S. 220 to eliminate safety hazards for commuters and commercial freight.
The other two Smart Scale projects include the widening of 0.85 miles of Barrows Mill Road to improve access to industrial and economic development sites, and converting an existing two-way stop at Dillons Fork Road and The Great Road to a roundabout.
Smart Scale is a process that VDOT uses to evaluate transportation-related projects using key factors such as improved safety, reduced congestion, increased accessibility, contribution to economic development, and impact on the environment.
In other matters, the board:
- Approved a resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Carver Road Ruritan Club.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $16,456 from State Asset Forfeiture funds to cover travel expenses and office furniture for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $61,215 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and $20,405 from State Asset Forfeiture funds to purchase equipment for the Sheriff’s Office related to special operations and narcotics enforcement activities.
- Approved an additional appropriation of $11,381 received from the Virginia State Police H.E.A.T. program to purchase equipment for the Sheriff’s Office related to locating stolen vehicles and investigating other criminal activity.
- Awarded a contract to Sheehy Ford for $50,995 to purchase a 2024 Ford F250 truck for the Sheriff’s Office and approved the transfer of $68,750 from the law enforcement and animal services cost centers to cover the costs of the truck and necessary accessory equipment.
- Awarded a contract to Nelson Ford for $86,000 to purchase two Ford Mustang GT Coupes for the Sheriff’s Office.
- Adopted revisions to the county’s investment policy.
- Awarded the Community Connected Citizen Award to the Greater Bassett Area Community.
- Reappointed Mike Ward to the Roanoke River Basin Association for a 1-year term, scheduled to expire on August 31, 2025.
