I often receive calls, emails, or visits from constituents who share requests for transportation infrastructure upgrades or information regarding dangerous road conditions that need to be addressed. I have worked on requests for road-lining, pothole filling, increased lane capacity, and everything in between. Many of the requests I receive relate to Route 460 and Route 100 – two of our most important regional roadways for personal, work, and recreational travel. As a member of the House Committee on Transportation, I take each one of these constituent requests seriously and I do what I can to ensure they are addressed. In some cases, requests can be fulfilled quickly within the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT’s) current budget. Other requests take more time and may require traffic studies and additional appropriation from the Commonwealth.
I have attended to numerous concerns on Route 460, including hazardous road conditions caused by improper drainage during rainstorms. During my travel through Narrows last week, I found that a deceleration lane near a local business is overrun by water during heavy rain and creates a dangerous traffic condition where vehicles can hydroplane. I immediately contacted VDOT and asked for repairs to ensure that proper drainage can take place, which are forthcoming. I also receive many complaints from constituents regarding blocked drainage ditches that can flood local or neighborhood roads – which is always something that I ask VDOT to address immediately. Late last year, a constituent shared with me that an eroded shoulder of Route 460 near Newport caused damage to a personal vehicle. I contacted VDOT to request priority repair of the shoulder, and it was completed within a couple of weeks. In Rich Creek, a stretch of Route 460 has been identified by local residents as having low visibility for entering and exiting traffic, which can lead to accidents. And in Pembroke, a similar condition exists at Cascade Drive, where I have fought hard for traffic safety measures to reduce the likelihood of accidents. For the two aforementioned issues, additional traffic studies and funding are needed to proceed with any improvements.
I hear often that New River Valley residents desire that Route 100 be expanded to four-lane capacity for the entirety of the roadway. This is something that I support as well, and I have made several efforts over the past couple of years to do so. First, I commissioned a study in the 2023 legislative session (HJ 464) to determine precisely what is needed to accomplish widening of Route 100. The results revealed that it will be a difficult and costly task, mostly due to the parts of Route 100 that will require blasting and other extreme engineering in order to make the necessary room for widening. Pursuant to the results of this study, I submitted two budget requests to the Virginia General Assembly for $28 million and $370 million. It was determined that planning and engineering for the project will cost $28 million, while completion of the entire project will cost $370 million. These requests were unfortunately voted down by House Democrats, who lead the General Assembly money committees. I submitted a request for federal Community Project Funding in 2024 – underscoring the necessity of this infrastructure project. We now know what is necessary to widen Route 100 – it will take time, money, and the support of the majority party to make it a reality.
These are but a few examples of local transportation infrastructure improvements I have been involved in over the past couple of years, and I have helped to address many more in neighborhood and secondary roads. Should you encounter a dangerous road condition or have an idea for how our local roadways can be improved, please send me an email at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov and include the road name and precise location of your suggested improvement. I would be happy to relay your request to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
