News
Bath-Highland Network Authority Public Notice of a Meeting
On October 9th, 2024, at 1:00 pm, the Bath-Highland Network Authority will hold a meeting at the Bolar Ruritan Club, 38 Bolar Lane, Monterey, VA 24465. For more information about the meeting, please contact Rachel Kinzer at 540-885-5174 or rachel@cspdc.org.
UVA Partners with CSPDC to make Afton Express Free for Employees and Students
Beginning September 23, riders affiliated with the University of Virginia (UVA) will be able to ride the Afton Express fare-free. This benefit is provided by UVA Parking and Transportation’s new program WHAOO COMMUTE! Riders with UVA identification will simply show the driver their ID when boarding and will not need to pay a fare.
UVA has been a funding partner and proud supporter of the Afton Express since its launch in 2021. In 2020, UVA released their 2030 Sustainability Plan, which outlines the University’s goals to be carbon neutral by 2030, and fossil fuel free by 2050. Working toward those goals, Parking and Transportation is actively looking for ways to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on and around Grounds. The Afton Express plays a key role in these efforts by providing employees and students with an alternative mode of commuting to work and school.
In June 2024, Kendall Howell, Assistant Director for Parking and Transportation, presented at a Policy Board meeting of the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) on the value of the Afton Express from the UVA perspective. In this presentation, Mr. Howell shared that over 1,300 UVA employees live in the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and the urbanized portion of Augusta County. That number is even greater when including the rural portions of Augusta County and the counties immediately to the north and south. “The Afton Express provides the model to which all other regional [transportation] providers can aspire for their partnership with UVA” remarked Mr. Howell.
The WAHOO Commute! Program provides benefits to UVA affiliates to encourage individuals to choose climate-friendly commute modes like biking, walking, carpooling, or riding public transit. You can learn more about the program by visiting UVA Parking and Transportation’s website at the following link: https://parking.virginia.edu/wahoocommute
CSPDC Holds Lewis Street Hub Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), with their BRITE partners, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Lewis Street Transit Hub Rehabilitation Project. Ann Cundy, CSPDC Executive Director; Zach Trogdon, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Acting Director/Chief of Transit; and Mayor Stephen Claffey, City of Staunton made remarks.
The newly rehabilitated Lewis Street Hub now features:
- New pavement & lighting
- ADA-accessible sidewalks & curb ramps
- Increased seating for passengers waiting for buses
- Beautiful landscaping in harmony with Historic Downtown Staunton
BRITE resumed service at the Lewis Street Hub starting on Friday, August 30, and it has been received well by riders and drivers, and passersby.
The CSPDS is grateful for collaboration with the City of Staunton, along with funding and support from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and DRPT. Additional thanks to Kimley-Horn, McDonough Bolyard Peck (MBP), and WSP for their technical expertise, and Virginia Infrastructure for their great work and timely completion of the project.
Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Survey Now Available
The CSPDC is updating its Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan in collaboration with our local government appointees and community partners. Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters before they happen. Some examples of hazards and threats to consider include flooding, drought, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and critical infrastructure failure. Mitigation plans allow community leaders to:
- Assess its risks and vulnerabilities to natural hazards and man-made threats
- Create strategies to save lives, and reduce damage to properties and infrastructure
- Become more resilient by creating an environment to bounce back more quickly after an incident
- Gain access to State and Federal funding opportunities for pre- and post-event efforts
By completing the Public Input Survey, you will help the CSPDC gain a better understanding of the public’s perspective of how we currently manage the potential hazards and threats in our region. Access the survey here through December 15, 2024: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSHMP_Survey, or use the QR code below.
For more information, please contact CSPDC Regional Planner Rachel Kinzer at rachel@cspdc.org or (540) 885-5174 ext. 113.
HRMPO Launches Port Republic Road, Peach Grove, Neff Av Study to Address Growth and Safety
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) is set to embark on its Fiscal Year 2025 small area study focusing on the Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Avenue, and Neff Avenue corridor. This comprehensive analysis, scheduled to begin in September 2024, aims to create a forward-thinking framework for managing growth, improving multimodal transportation options, and enhancing safety in this vital area of Harrisonburg. The study area, covering approximately three square miles, centers on the intersection of Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Avenue, and Neff Avenue.
This intersection currently operates at Level of Service D during PM peak hours and has the highest crash total in the HRMPO region, with 88 crashes and 34 injuries reported from 2019 to 2023. Key objectives of the study include streamlining the land use and site plan development process, reducing uncertainty for developers and city staff, and envisioning improvements that benefit the regional transportation system. The study will analyze existing conditions, project traffic demand through 2045, and develop three to four alternative scenarios, including a no-build option.
The study is expected to conclude in spring 2025, with regular updates provided to the HRMPO board and the public throughout the process. The final report will include detailed analyses, recommended improvements, and an implementation plan to guide future development and transportation enhancements in the study area.
For more information on the Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Neff Avenue Study and upcoming opportunities for public input can be found here: https://hrvampo.org/current-studies/port-republic-road-peach-grove-neff-avenue-small-area-study/