The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on Mar. 24 that it has awarded contracts for resurfacing more than 580 miles of roads in the Staunton District, marking the start of the annual paving season.
This effort is important as it aims to improve road safety and driving conditions across much of the Shenandoah Valley and Allegheny Highlands. The district will also see installation of about 61 miles of rumble strips along primary roads to help prevent accidents involving drowsy or distracted drivers.
According to VDOT, approximately $75 million will be spent on various paving methods across eleven counties. These include traditional milling and paving using about 287,000 tons of asphalt over 270 lane-miles, latex/microsurfacing for another 145 lane-miles, surface treatment for about 70 lane-miles, and slurry seal application—typically used on low-speed roadways—for roughly 95 lane-miles in subdivisions.
Safety measures are a key part of this year’s work. VDOT said that during the upcoming construction season, crews will install both center-line and shoulder/edge-line rumble strips on roads with speed limits at or above 45 miles per hour. These features are designed to alert drivers who drift from their lanes through noise and vibration. Motorists traveling through work zones should expect lane closures controlled by flaggers or pilot trucks and are urged to slow down, remain alert, follow signs, and respect flaggers’ instructions.
The Virginia Department of Transportation manages one of the largest state highway systems in the United States according to its official website. The agency is responsible for building, maintaining, and operating Virginia’s roads, bridges, and tunnels as well as providing services such as highway maintenance and traffic management through systems like Virginia 511 according to VDOT.
VDOT developed from the State Highway Commission established in 1906 into its current form overseeing planning, construction, maintenance—and now operates from its headquarters at East Broad Street in Richmond according to historical information provided by VDOT.
Residents can report hazards or request services via VDOT’s Customer Service Center which operates around-the-clock online or by phone.
