Caroline County Comprehensive Roadside Management Project (CRMP) DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES 12613 Mill Creek Rd Ruther Glen, Virginia 22427 CARMEL CHURCH CRMP MASTER PLAN
Table of Contents Introduction Scope of Project Timeline Site Conditions Design Conditions Cost Estimates Maintenance Plan Sponsorship/Acknowledgment Signs 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 7
Introduction In 2006, Virginia Senate Bill 260 approved the Virginia Department of Transportation s (VDOT) Comprehensive Roadside Management Program (CRMP). This action allowed VDOT to grant localities permission to provide landscaping in VDOT right-of-way areas. Additionally, the bill also cleared the way for localities to partner with private businesses, individuals or civic organizations to sponsor such activities within approved VDOT right-of-ways. Caroline County has received requests from the Carmel Church residential and business community to implement measures that increase the aesthetic qualities of the Carmel Church I95 interchange as well as reduce the number of vagrants and panhandlers that frequent the area. In September, 2016 staff members presented the Caroline County Board of Supervisors (BOS) with a plan to establish a Comprehensive Roadside Management Program, that once permitted by VDOT, would allow County staff to implement a grounds maintenance plan in the cloverleaf sections of the I95/Rt 207 interchange. At the BOS s direction, staff was asked to proceed with the CRMP process. Phase 1 project goals include removing trees, underbush, and woody vegetation 4 in diameter and less within the right-of way of the southbound entrance ramp circle to I95. The desired result is a more aesthetically pleasing area that also greatly reduces the likelihood of vagrants using the area for camping and temporary residency. Phases 2-4 include the remaining quadrants of the I95/Rt. 207 interchange. County staff could also develop a program through which public and private entities could donate funds towards the landscaping (with appropriate recognition signage) within these VDOT- maintained properties. Director Joseph Schiebel Department of Public Works/Utilities Comprehensive Roadside Management Program - Master Plan Page- 3
Scope of Project The overall CRMP project consists of four phases. Each phase involves mulching trees, underbrush, and woody vegetation 4 and less in diameter within one of the four cloverleaf right-of-way areas at the I95/Rt. 207 interchange. Mulching of vegetation larger than 4 in diameter will be allowed with prior VDOT approval only. This work will be completed using a low-impact track or rubber tire machine outfitted with a mulching head. The process reduces soil disturbance to a minimum while simultaneously covering the area with a thin layer of wood mulch that further protects the site from any stormwater or sediment runoff. The end result is a cleaner looking area that yields far better visibility into the right-of-way area. It is staff s hope this will improve the area s aesthetic properties and that increased visibility will deter vagrants and panhandlers from using the right-of-way as a temporary camping area. This long-term project is designed to be developed, managed, and maintained by Department of Public Works/Utilities staff. Phase Description Acres (Approx.) Completion Goal 1 Southbound Ent. Ramp Circle (NW Quadrant) 3.2 Spring - 2017 2 Northbound 195 Exit Ramp (SE Quadrant) 5.1 Winter - 2017/18 3 Southbound I95 Entrance Ramp (SW Quadrant) 1.3 Winter - 2018/19 4 Northbound I95 Entrance Ramp (NE Quadrant) 5.7 Winter - 2019/20 Comprehensive Roadside Management Program - Master Plan Page- 4
Timeline DECEMBER 2016 PRESENT CRMP MASTER PLAN TO CAROLINE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The CRMP Master Plan and VDOT application will subsequently be submitted upon BOS recommendation. JANUARY 2017 STAKEHOLDER MEETING County staff will meet with VDOT residency representative to review and discuss the proposed CRMP. MARCH 2017 PUBLIC HEARING/ENDORSEMENT PROCESS BEGINS The first reading of the CRMP Master Plan is tentatively scheduled for March 28, 2017, during which the proposed landscaping activities will be made available for review. A formal resolution [of endorsement] from the BOS is tentatively planned for April 2017. The Dept. of Public Works/Utilities shall provide written notification to VDOT of the Board s intention to hold a public hearing no later than 14 days prior to such hearing. Such notification shall be made to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Asset Management Division Administrator, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. APRIL - MAY 2017 COMPLETE WORK ON PHASE 1 Staff will either use equipment available in-house or use a qualified contractor to complete the work. The remaining phases will be completed at a rate of one-per-year beginning in 2018. (Phase 2-2018, Phase 3-2019, Phase 4-2020) Comprehensive Roadside Management Program - Master Plan Page- 5
Site Conditions The CRMP includes the internal right-of-way areas within the I95/Rt. 207 interchange. These areas are primarily wooded and have a topography that ranges from flat to gently sloping. These areas are not scheduled for any future construction within VDOT s current six-year improvement plan. The site contains sufficient right-of-way to reasonably permit landscaping operations without safety or maintenance concerns. The proposed landscaping operations will not obstruct or interfere with existing drainage conditions. There are no underground utilities, pavement, sidewalks, or highway signage or signals that will conflict with the landscaping operations proposed under the project. Project Design/Description The CRMP activity will currently be limited to mulching all woody vegetation with a diameter of 4 or less. The goal is to remove unsightly brush and undergrowth while also improving site lines into the right-of-way areas. Additional elements such as flower gardens could be added in the future. Additional improvements will have to be permitted, have a public hearing conducted followed by BOS endorsement and VDOT approval. Per VDOT regulations Caroline County shall not, at any time, install lighting, flag or pennant poles, fountains or water features, landscaping that depicts a logo or name, any form of advertising, sculptures, or statues within the VDOT right-of-way. Additionally, the County shall not improve sight lines with the intent to provide greater visibility to any existing or future business or advertisement. Comprehensive Roadside Management Program - Master Plan Page- 6
Budget Impact Phase Description Acres (Approx.) Est. Cost Annual Maint. Cost * 1 Southbound Ent. Ramp Circle (NW Quadrant) 3.2 $9,000 $914 2 Northbound 195 Exit Ramp (SE Quadrant) 5.1 $14,000 $1,457 3 Southbound I95 Entrance Ramp (SW Quadrant) 1.3 $4,000 $371 4 Northbound I95 Entrance Ramp (NE Quadrant) 5.7 $16,000 $1,629 * County staff will ensure the Adherence to the established VDOT Comprehensive Roadside Management regulations (24 VAC 30-121) (Chapter 121) which will include the submittal of a long-term maintenance plan for each designated area. Maintenance Plan The CRMP areas will undergo periodic maintenance on a five-year rotational cycle. Staff will return to each phase no less than every 5th year to perform similar mulching practices as were used in the first year of the project. This economical practice will keep undergrowth to a minimum within the CRMP areas. A formal maintenance agreeement shall be included as part of the CRMP submittal. Sponsorship/Signage Acknowledgment signs are a way of recognizing a company, business, or volunteer group that provides a highway-related service or funding. In addition to the specifications in 24 VAC 30-121-40 D 2, in order to be recognized on an acknowledgment sign, an entity must provide a minimum cash or in-kind contribution to the permittee for the landscaping activity as specified below. Such contribution shall allow an acknowledgment sign for five years unless the need arises for removal or relocation of the sign. The cost of the acknowledgment sign shall not count toward the minimum contribution requirement. 1. Noncontrolled access primary and secondary highways: $7,500 contribution. 2. Controlled access primary and secondary highways: $8,500 contribution. 3. Interchanges on controlled access primary and secondary highways: $10,000 contribution. 4. Interstate interchanges: $20,000 contribution. SAMPLE Comprehensive Roadside Management Program - Master Plan Page- 7
CAROLINE COUNT Y DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES JOSEPH C. SCHIEBEL DIRECTOR CONTACT P.O. Box 424 Bowling Green, VA TELEPHONE Phone: (804) 633-4390 SOCIAL www.co.caroline.va.us www.twitter.com/carolinegov