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Home My WebLink AboutSP202200014 Study 2022-05-16Traffic & Route Evaluation Study Woodridge Solar Albemarle County, Virginia May 2022 Prepared For: Hexagon Energy TIMMONS GROUP .00.00�! YOUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. • 0 i Traffic & Route Evaluation Study Woodridge Solar Albemarle County, Virginia Prepared For: Hexagon Energy 321 East Main Street Suite 500 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 (434) 326-4405 Prepared By: Timmons Group 1001 Boulders Parkway Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23225 (804)200-6500 May 2022 PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLEOF CONTENTS........................................................................................................................I LISTOF FIGURES...........................................................................................................................II 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW..............................................................................................................1-1 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS.........................................................................................................2-1 ADJACENTROADWAYS..............................................................................................................2-1 EXISTINGSTRUCTURES.............................................................................................................2-2 SITEACCESS...........................................................................................................................2-3 EXTERNAL TRAFFIC ROUTES......................................................................................................2-4 3 CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................................3-1 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: SURROUNDING ROADWAY NETWORK AND SITE LOCATION FIGURE 2: SITE ENTRANCES AND STUDY INTERSECTIONS FIGURE 3: SITE LAYOUT FIGURE 4: LOCATION OF PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES FIGURE 5: TYPICAL PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 6: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 7: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 8: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 9: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 10: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 11: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 12: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 13: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 14: PAVEMENT DEFICIENCIES ON SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 15: INTERSECTION 1- JEFFERSON MILL ROAD AND ROLLING ROAD FIGURE 16: INTERSECTION 2 - SECRETARYS ROAD AND ROLLING ROAD FIGURE 17: INTERSECTION 3 - BLACK BRANCH FARM AND JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 18: INTERSECTION 4 - SECRETARYS ROAD AND BLENHEIM ROAD FIGURE 19: SITE ENTRANCE # 1- SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 20: SITE ENTRANCE #2 - SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 21: SITE ENTRANCE #3 - SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 22: SITE ENTRANCE #4 - SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 23: SITE ENTRANCE #5 - SECRETARYS ROAD FIGURE 24: SITE ENTRANCE #6 - JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 25: SITE ENTRANCE #7 - JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 26: SITE ENTRANCE #8 - JEFFERSON MILL ROAD FIGURE 27: SITE ENTRANCE #9 - BLACK BRANCH FARM FIGURE 28: SITE ENTRANCE # 10 - EYELAND DRIVE May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW Timmons Group, at the request of Hexagon Energy, completed a transportation assessment for the proposed Woodridge Solar Project, located in Albemarle County, Virginia. This work has been prepared to identify potential transportation issues associated with the construction and operation phases of the proposed project. The tasks associated with this assessment included: • Review of data and documents provided by the Client relative to the project; • Coordination with the Client on access, schedule, and other parameters that are reflected in the traffic assessment; • Obtaining available geometric (roadway widths, intersection control, etc.) and speed limit data that is readily available via a review of available aerial imagery through Google Earth, Bing, or County GIS systems and a field visit conducted on Friday, March 25, 2022; • Obtaining available VDOT traffic data for those roads adjacent to the site; and • Preparing a narrative summarizing existing pavement/intersection conditions, traffic along the adjacent roadway network, and anticipated impacts associated with the site traffic along with potential mitigation measures. 1-1 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS Timmons Group compiled existing pavement conditions, existing structures and roadway characteristics for facilities adjacent to the proposed Woodridge Solar Project in Albemarle County, Virginia. The site is located along US Route 708 (Secretarys Road) south of the City of Charlottesville, north of Scottsville, and east of Route 20 (Scottsville Road). The project location is shown on Figure 1 (all figures are located at the end of the study), the study intersections and site entrances can be found in Figure 2 and a preliminary site plan can be found in Figure 3. ADJACENT ROADWAYS A visual assessment of the adjacent roadways was performed on March 25, 2022. The locations of noted pavement deficiencies and numerical photo key is shown on Figure 4 and photos of representative pavement deficiencies can be found in Figures 5 through 14. Jefferson Mill Road (Route 618) is a two-lane, undivided minor collector road with no posted speed limit, assumed to be 55 mph. According to the 2019 VDOT Count Book, Jefferson Mill Road services 520 vehicles per day. The pavement on Jefferson Mill Road is in fair condition with some potholes, alligator cracking and patching throughout. Pictures of the existing pavement deficiencies can be found in Figures 5 through 8. Secretarys Road (Route 708) is a two-lane, undivided local road with no posted speed limit, assumed to be 55 mph. According to the 2019 VDOT Count Book, Secretarys Road services 790 vehicles per day between Route 627 and Presidents Road and 600 vehicles per day between Presidents Road and Rolling Road. The pavement on Secretarys Road is in fair condition and is unstriped. Pictures of the existing pavement deficiencies can be found in Figures 9 through14. Rolling Road (Route 620) is a two-lane, undivided local road with no posted speed limit, assumed to be 55 mph. According to the 2019 VDOT Count Book, Rolling Road services 1,900 vehicles per day. The pavement on Rolling Road is in fair condition. Eyeland Drive is a gravel, undivided local road with no posted speed limit and no available AADT data. This facility appears to be private and serve a limited number or agricultural/residential parcels. Blenheim Road (Route 795)is a two-lane, undivided local road with no posted speed limit. The pavement on Blenheim Road is in good condition. 2-1 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project EXISTING STRUCTURES Per the online VDOT database, there are four (4) structures in the vicinity of the project: 1. An unrestricted culvert on Secretary Road to accommodate Murphy Creek. 2. An unrestricted culvert on Jordan Run Lane to accommodate a branch of Turkey Run. 3. An unrestricted bridge on Blenheim Road over the Hardware River 4. An unrestricted bridge on Jefferson Mill Road over the Hardware River Based on our field review and the aforementioned database information, these structures should not preclude heavy vehicle access to the site. Intersection Control Four (4) key intersections were identified within the study area and are included in this evaluation: 1. Rolling Road and Jefferson Mill Road (Unsignalized); 2. Rolling Road and Secretarys Road (Unsignalized); 3. Jefferson Mill Road and Black Branch Farm (Unsignalized); and 4. Secretarys Road and Blenheim Road (Unsignalized). At the unsignalized four -legged intersection of Rolling Road and Jefferson Mill Road, Jefferson Mill Road is the stop -controlled approach; the northern approach serves gravel parking area that has a second driveway approximately 100' to the west. The pavement on Jefferson Mill Road flares out to 80' at the stop sign but typically measures 19-20' wide along the site frontage. The pavement on Rolling Road is 20' wide. Each approach consists of a single lane that serves all movements. Photos of the intersection can be found in Figure 15. At the unsignalized three-legged intersection of Rolling Road and Secretarys Road, Secretarys Road is the stop -controlled approach. On Secretarys Road the pavement is 50' at the stop sign and 20' typically. The pavement on Rolling Road is 21-22' wide. Each approach consists of a single lane that serves all movements. Photos of the intersection can be found in Figure 16. At the unsignalized three-legged intersection of Jefferson Mill Road and Black Branch Farm, Black Branch Farm is the stop -controlled approach. Black Branch Farm is a gravel road that flares out to 42' at Jefferson Mill Road; typically, the road 16-18' wide. Black Branch Farm is not suitable for large truck traffic in its current condition. Jefferson Mill Road measures 20' wide. Photos of the intersection can be found in Figure 17. At the four -legged intersection of Secretarys Road and Blenheim Road all approaches are stop controlled (i.e., all way stop). The pavement on Blenheim Road north of Secretarys Road is 20' and not adjacent to the site. The pavement along Blenheim Road south of Secretarys Road (adjacent to the site) is 22-23' typically. The pavement on east- and westbound Secretarys Road is 23-24' typically. Photos of the intersection can be found in Figure 18. 2-2 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project SITE ACCESS Site Access will be provided via 10 entrances as shown in Figure 1, five (5) along Secretarys Road, three (3) along Jefferson Mill Road, one (1) along Black Branch Farm, and one (1) on Eyeland Drive. Entrance Number Location Pavement Condition Driveway Condition Figure Number 1 Secretarys Road Good; 24' Paved; 20' 19 2 Secretarys Road Good; 22' Gravel; 24' 20 3 Secretarys Road Good; 22' Gravel; 17' 21 4 Secretarys Road Good; 19' Gravel; 24' 22 5 Secretarys Road Good; 20' Gravel; 17' 23 6 Jefferson Mill Road Good; 20' Gravel; 14' 24 7 Jefferson Mill Road Good; 20' Gravel; 14' 25 8 Jefferson Mill Road Good; 20' Gravel; 13' 26 9 Black Branch Farm Gravel; 16' Gravel; 12' 27 10 Eyeland Drive Gravel; 14' Gravel; 12' 28 As shown in Figure 21 (Site Entrance 3) there is limited sight distance to the west along Secretarys Road due to horizontal and vertical curvature. 2-3 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project EXTERNAL TRAFFIC ROUTES Based on the existing road network and types of traffic associated with the site, it is anticipated that all construction equipment, aggregate, supplies and general construction traffic will access the site primarily utilizing Secretarys Road and Jefferson Mill Road. The geometry and volumes present along these facilities are capable of accommodating site -generated traffic during construction or operation/maintenance. It is recommended that internal access roads be utilized as much as possible to minimize traffic impacts to the surrounding state -maintained roads and residents of the area. Several entrances are proposed off of existing local/private roads that may need to be enhanced to accommodate the construction traffic (both vehicle type and volume). Given the existing posted speeds and anticipated slower entering/exiting traffic, temporary traffic control (TTC) measures may be necessary. Pertinent signage should be installed prior to the site preparation work and removed when mechanical/electrical work/ inspections begin. Should a traffic issue arise during construction, it is anticipated that the chosen contactor will work Albemarle County and VDOT to appropriately address the specific concern. 2-4 May 2022 Traffic & Route Evaluation Study - Woodridge Solar Project 3 CONCLUSIONS Based on our review of available data relating to the site and the adjacent roadways, the following is offered: • The proposed Woodridge Solar site is located south of Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, Virginia (see Figure 1). • Site Access will be provided via ten entrances as shown in Figure 1, five (5) along Secretarys Road, three (3) along Jefferson Mill Road, one (1) along Black Branch Farm, and one (1) on Eyeland Drive. • The primary adjacent roadway facilities have the available capacity to accommodate site - generated traffic, both during construction and operations/maintenance activities based on existing ADTs. Any pavement deficiencies found in the field were typical and noted. • Assuming site -traffic is focused on Secretarys Road and Jefferson Mill Road no improvements are necessary/anticipated to accommodate site -generated traffic. However, it is recommended that temporary traffic control measures be considered for the duration of the site preparation/construction phase. • It is recommended that internal access roads be utilized as much as possible to minimize traffic impacts to the surrounding state -maintained roads and residents of the area . 3-1 i A. T[oY., IN - M� t .!n r� �.,,, g q _ l� Hunte,s .fie . r L ' Lake Monticello • v story, it Woodridge 1, � �/,i`I1' �• ��lli'.�r t�.d' _ e �.tir f�• lu.�liE�,' W tt- NOT TO SCALE . �00000 TIMMONS GROUP ,OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. ti L Site Layout Woodridge Solar Figure 3 I b (or Q? 19 20 2322 21 3332 313029 28 2726 25 24 om ap° 15 16 17 18 Woodridge V'2 M 4 5. 6-- 7 NOT TO SCALE • TIMMONS GROUP ,OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. Typical Pavement Deficiencies: Alligator Cracking on Jefferson Mill Road Woodridge Solar Figure 5 yLl ppp� At7Y 5. Pothole 7. Edge Raveling i IS NOT TO SCALE 6.Edge Raveling 8. Pothole 00 000000 0 Pavement Deficiencies on Jefferson Mill Road Figure TIMMONS GROUP Woodridge Solar 7 ,OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS NOT TO SCALE 9. Patching 10. Alligator Cracking • TIMMONS GROUP ,OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. 11. Patching 12. Pothole Pavement Deficiencies on Jefferson Mill Road Woodridge Solar Figure 0 E.M`A 13. Alligator Cracking 15. Patching 9t� NOT TO SCALE 14. Alligator Cracking 16. Pothole •*000 • •• Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Figure TIMMONS GROUP Woodridge Solar g .OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. 17. Patching/Bleeding '3vs byc NOT TO SCALE 18. Alligator Cracking . 0• TIMSMONSION o GROUTHROUGH P YOUR 19. Patching 20. Edge Raveling Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure 10 NOT TO SCALE 22. Patching TIMMONS GROUP .OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. 23. Edge Raveling 24. Patching Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure 11 25. Patchin NOT TO SCALE 26. Alligator Cracking TIMSMONSION o GROUTHROUGH P YOUR 28. Edge Raveling Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure 12 wick._ NOT TO SCALE 30. Pothole TIMMONS GROUP 31.Pothole 32.Patching Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Figure Woodridge Solar 13 NOT TO SCALE . 0• TIMMONS GROUP .OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS 33.Block Cracking Pavement Deficiencies on Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure ME l 1.,1 k•'y^�.�grP:•._ !yi.[ °.C' �( 11LV 'CAI i� �i _. ,. mm r 9 A I lop South along Blenheim Road East along Secretarys Road NOT TO SCALE North along Blenheim Road West along Secretarys Road •�00 0000 • • 0% Intersection 4: Secretarys Road and Blenheim Road Figure TIMMONS GROUP Woodridge Solar 18 YOUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS 3 _ ♦,Eyelwd� w r: m5ft,- ?` , �.� �r awn:-�f 1 � �. ,` � •' - _+ i South along Site Entrance 3 East along NOT TO SCALE • Secretarys Road TIMMONS GROUP YOUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. Entrance West along Secretarys Road Site Entrance 3 and Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure 21 z s N w _. may. •�°,N �� b -� �'� f .J � �: %� . i East along Site Entrance 4 North along Secretarys Road NOT TO SCALE TIMMONS GROUP YOUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. West along Site Entrance 4 South along Secretarys Road Site Entrance 4 and Secretarys Road Woodridge Solar Figure 22 1 74C z3ite rriLrdrice o t I Ao '-ME Site Entrance 8 North along Jefferson Mill Road NOT TO SCALE TIMMONS GROUP YOUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. West along Site Entrance 8 South along Jefferson Mill Road Site Entrance 8 and Jefferson Mill Road Woodridge Solar Figure 26 NOT TO SCALE South along Black Branch Farm TIMSMONSION o GROUTHROUGH P YOUR along Site Entrance South alona Black Branch Farm Site Entrance 9 and Black Branch Farm Woodridge Solar Figure 27 NOT TO SCALE North along Eyeland Drive TIMMONS GROUP .OUR VISION ACHIEVED THROUGH OURS. East along Site Entrance 10 South alona Eveland Drive Site Entrance 10 and Eyeland Drive Woodridge Solar Figure w.