ST-23-06 | VA Project Pipeline

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ST-23-06: Port Republic Road/I-81 SB Exit 245 Interchange

Hillside Avenue/Bluestone Drive TO Forest Hill Road

Project Purpose

The focus of this study is to assess key areas of the Port Republic Road/I-81 SB Exit 245 Interchange. Important locations include the I-81 southbound off ramp and intersection of westbound Port Republic Road and Forest Hill Road. The study will seek to identify ways to improve safety and operations through targeted projects and improvements. The study will also review multimodal accessibility (Very High needs for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit access) and solutions will be identified that may be incorporated with proposed projects or as standalone efforts.

Study Partners

City of Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization
Federal Highway Administration
ATCS, PLC

Key Points of Contact

District Lead: Brad Reed

Lead Consultant: Nathan Umberger

Schedule

PHASE	DATES	TASKS
Phase 1	May - August 2023	Diagnose Problems/Brainstorm Alternatives
Phase 2	September 2023 - April 2024	Evaluate Preliminary Alternatives/Conduct Public Outreach and Obtain Feedback/Select Preferred Alternatives
Phase 3	May-July 2024	Conduct Risk Assessment/Develop and Refine Preferred Alternatives/Prepare Cost Estimate and Investment Strategy

Study Documents

ST-23-06 Phase 2 Executive Summary - PDF, 3.7MB

The Phase 2 survey regarding potential improvements on Port Republic Rd. at the intersection of I-81 Southbound and Forest Hill Rd. in the City of Harrisonburg is complete.

Dates	Number of Participants (unique individuals)
April 16 – May 12, 2024	1,596

Alternative Options

1. I-81 Southbound Off-Ramp

Extend the right-turn lane at the intersection of the I-81 southbound off-ramp and Port Republic Road and restrict right turns on red

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Rate the concept on a scale of 1 to 5.	5%	8%	11%	35%	41%

2. Forest Hill Road & Port Republic Road

Install a westbound right-turn lane on Port Republic Road to separate turning vehicles from the through lane
Install an additional southbound left-turn lane on Forest Hill Road, preventing future delays caused by increasing left-turn volumes by approximately 50%
Install flex tubes to prevent left turns to and from Port Republic Road to the adjacent gas stations
Insall a shared use path connecting Port Republic Road to Forest Hill Road

	1. Strongly oppose	2. Somewhat oppose	3. Neutral	4. Somewhat support	5. Strongly support
Installing a westbound right-turn lane on Port Republic Road and an additional southbound left-turn lane on Forest Hill Road	2%	2%	6%	22%	68%
Installing flex tubes to prevent left turns to and from Port Republic Road to the adjacent gas stations	7%	9%	14%	21%	50%
Constructing a shared use path to connect Port Republic Road to Forest Hill Road in the northeast quadrant	3%	2%	15%	21%	59%

Last updated: July 15, 2024