The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is inviting public input on four transportation studies aimed at assessing potential safety improvements in Abingdon, Lebanon, the Hansonville community in Russell County, and Richlands. These surveys are part of a study that began earlier this year and will focus on prioritizing roadway safety.
Residents and travelers are encouraged to participate by completing an online survey available from May 27 through June 10. The feedback collected will assist the study team in identifying existing issues along the study corridor and developing recommendations for potential improvements to be evaluated in the next phase of the study.
For those interested in specific areas, project websites and surveys are provided as follows:
– Abingdon (Washington County): Project Website: https://vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov/studies/bristol/br-25-01/ Survey: https://publicinput.com/br-25-01
– Lebanon (Russell County): Project Website: https://vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov/studies/bristol/br-25-04/ Survey: https://publicinput.com/br-25-04
– Hansonville (Russell County): Project Website: https://vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov/studies/bristol/br-25-02/ Survey: https://publicinput.com/br-25-02
– Richlands (Tazewell County): Project Website: https://vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov/studies/bristol/br-25-03/ Survey: https://publicinput.com/br-25-03
Comments can also be submitted via email to vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov or directly to Mr. Blake Ailor at Blake.Ailor@vdot.virginia.gov. Responses may also be mailed to Blake Ailor, Bristol District Planner, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2111 Bonham Road, Bristol, Virginia 24201. The deadline for comments is June 10.
These studies form part of the Project Pipeline program initiated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). “Project Pipeline is a performance-based planning program to identify cost-effective solutions to multimodal transportation needs in Virginia,” VDOT stated. The initiative is led by Virginia’s Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI), collaborating with VDOT and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).
Completion of these studies is anticipated by late February 2026, with a final plan expected to provide a multimodal investment strategy for seeking funding through programs like Smart Scale, revenue sharing, interstate funding, among others.
