Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Some major changes are on the way to traffic and pedestrian paths in and around the Uptown Mall area of Christiansburg.
Project manager for VDOT Francis Scarpinato says the $15.1 million project is on schedule to start the summer of 2027 and be completed by the fall of 2029. The project will make intersection and pedestrian improvements along Route 460 Business (North Franklin Street) and Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road) in Christiansburg and is intended to improve safety and efficiency along the two corridors.
The shared left and through lane on westbound Route 114 at North Franklin Street will be modified to become a through lane only. The project includes adding a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 114 and Market Street. Market Street drivers who currently turn left onto westbound Route 114 or who drive straight across Route 114 and drivers on westbound Route 114 who currently turn left onto southbound Market Street will be redirected to make a U-turn at the next available crossover or signal.
The intersection of Route 114 and Laurel Street also will be modified. Laurel Street traffic that currently turns left onto Route 114 or proceeds straight across Route 114 will be redirected to turn right and make a U-turn at the next available crossover.
The intersection of North Franklin Street at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens will be modified as a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT), an innovative intersection that would redirect motorists who normally turn left from the cemetery to turn right and proceed to make a U-turn.
The project includes adding approximately 3,600 linear feet of new sidewalk. Sidewalk will be constructed along the westbound lane of North Franklin Street between Sycamore Street/Spradlin Farm Drive and Peppers Ferry Road. New sections of sidewalk also will be added to connect to the existing network along Peppers Ferry Road and at its intersection with North Franklin Street.
In addition, crosswalks and pedestrian signals will be added at North Franklin Street’s intersections with Sycamore Street/Spradlin Farm Drive, Laurel Street and Peppers Ferry Road.
