Roanoke, Va. – VDOT wants to hear from you about improving a major roadway here in the Star City. They are conducting a survey to find out how to make Williamson Road safer.
“Just yesterday somebody got hit on a bicycle,” said Gregory Austin, who manages a barbershop on Williamson Road.
Austin believes traffic is so bad, he avoids walking on the sidewalk to prevent getting hit by a car.
“I walk in the big parking lot area, it’s unsafe,” Austin said.
The Virginia Department of Transportation and the City of Roanoke are conducting a transportation survey
The idea is to get input from the community to help improve safety along Williamson Road, between Hershberger and Orange Avenues.
VDOT leaders have proposed reconfiguring the lanes on Williamson by adding a turning lane for cars, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
“And looking at some of the traffic signals of whether we want to deactivate some of those signals actually add a new signal,” Jason Bond with VDOT said. “It’s really about helping the city take in public comment.”
Business leaders say it’s important to improve safety along the corridor.
Fifteen thousand cars pass through Williamson Road daily. From 2017-2021 there were 100 crashes and more than 5 were fatal.
Leaders with Williamson Road Area Business Association feel the changes are needed soon.
“Right now there about 54 projects that set for VDOT for Southwest Virginia, they’re ranking Williamson Road Project as number two that is pretty encouraging and exciting,” Valerie Brown with Williamson Road Area Business Association said.
You can find more information about the survey here.