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The current New Baltimore Service
District Plan (NBSDP) includes an Alignment/Interchange
Flexibility Area for Route 215, shown on NBSDP Figures 3 and
5. In addition, a stated priority in the NBSDP
Transportation Section is to initiate the improvement plan
for the Route 215 corridor from Vint Hill to the U.S. 15/29
interchange. Table 5 of the NBSDP contains a description
of this project that includes making it a four-lane divided
highway.
NBSDP FIGURE 3 – Transportation Plan
for Buildout (Excerpt)
Alignment/Interchange Flexibility Area
for Route 215 (Shown in Green)
The Fauquier County Transportation Committee was tasked by
the Board of Supervisors with making a recommendation on the
alignment of Route 215. After months of study, the
Transportation Committee voted at its March 25, 2009 meeting
to recommend that Route 215 be retained in its existing
alignment from Prince William County to U.S. 15/29. The
committee further recommended:
“While retaining the option of making Route 215 a 4-lane
road on its current alignment, explore retention of Route
215 as a 2-lane primary road, with traffic calming design
alternatives on Route 215 intersections (e.g., roundabout
design at the Route 600/215 intersection) in lieu of the
more conventional turn lane movements and traffic
signalization, historic markers and the designation of the
northernmost section through Buckland Farms as a historic
parkway. (Comment: In the context of the recognized
battlefield area, improvements to facilitate preservation
and public appreciation for Buckland Races battlefield sites
within Fauquier County should be planned.)”
The full report from the Transportation
Committee is included as Attachment 1. Other studies
evaluated by the Transportation Committee, including studies
of traffic, intersection improvements and historic
resources, are referenced in Attachment 1 with links to
their availability on the County website.
The attached resolution proposes two
action steps:
1.
Route 215 Alignment. The resolution would
initiate an amendment to the NBSDP that would eliminate the
Alignment/Interchange Flexibility Area for Route 215 and
amend the text which calls for the four-laning of Route 215
in the short term; and
2.
Transportation Plan Update. The
Transportation Committee also made a number of other
recommendations related to transportation within the Service
District. One of these was to reconvene the New Baltimore
Comprehensive Plan Committee or similar to review and update
the Transportation Plan for New Baltimore in response to
broader issues and proposals. The establishment of such a
group is also included in the attached resolution. For
Board affirmation at a later date, Chairman Trumbo will
propose citizen appointments to this committee. This study
is seen as involving a longer effort, and action on this
item by the Planning Commission will not be requested by the
Board in the normal 65 days following the next Planning
Commission meeting.
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