(Danville) — Local planners are finalizing a list of transportation safety studies that will take a deeper look at potential problem areas.
The Danville Metropolitan Planning Organization this week adopted their Unified Transportation Planning Work Program. They’re recommending consultant‐led studies in three areas.
The first will examine the railroad tracks that cross West Main Street near Gatewood Drive. There are warning signs and flashing lights in place, but no safety gates. With the new casino expecting to bring higher traffic volumes to this area, planners with the MPO expect this crossing will pose a greater safety risk. It is still used by train traffic on occasion.
The future Caesars Virginia Casino and Resort on West Main Street is also driving another study proposal, targeting the entire West Main corridor from the State Line to Schoolfield. There’s already a larger city effort to spruce up the corridor, including a new zoning category to govern development.
The City of Danville adopted the West Main Street Corridor Overlay District last year. It restricts the types of businesses that can open along that stretch of road, and establishes development guidelines to improve the curb appeal of one of the “gateways” into Danville.
The third MPO study will target Route 58 East from airport to the city limits. That area could see higher traffic volumes with more activity at the Airside and Cane Creek Industrial Parks.
(Photo: Railroad tracks cross West Main Street near Gatewood Avenue.)