County:Fast-track outer loop

Concerned that further cuts to the state’s transportation budget may erode funding, the Board of Supervisors plans to ask the Virginia Department of Transportation to expedite the western outer loop road.

The proposed 2.5-mile-long road would link Eggbornsville Road north of town to U.S. 522 west of town, bypassing several increasingly congested downtown intersections.

It would also serve as an alternate route for drivers who do not need access to downtown homes or businesses.

Planners have cited Ira Hoffman Lane as an example of what the proposed road might look like.

In a letter the supervisors will consider sending to VDOT District Administrator Jim Utterback on Tuesday, the county describes the road as a “regional project of vital importance” and urges state officials to proceed.

“The Board of Supervisors is concerned that current state budget issues could eventually impact revenue sharing funds,” the letter states. “In addition, revenue sharing program requirements state that a project must be subject to expenditures within two years of receipt of funding and while we have been assured that we are in compliance, we wish to see the project move forward without delay.”

The town has also contributed money toward the project.

At a meeting of the Town-County Interaction Committee last month, the committee learned that nearly all of the $10.4 million required for the project has been set aside. However, the committee also learned that the state’s ongoing budget issues could push back the project about five years, which in turn, would likely increase its overall cost.

At the meeting, a VDOT engineering manager told the committee that under the project’s current timeline, the road would likely be completed and open to traffic by 2016.

The supervisors will consider the request at the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. They are also scheduled to hear an update on other transportation projects from VDOT residency administrator Donald Gore.

Also Tuesday, the supervisors will consider adopting new water and sewer rates. The move follows recent agreement to amend a 2003 water and sewer agreement between the town and county.

The county in March filed suit against the town after both sides disagreed on the interpretation of the document.

Under the amended 2003 agreement, the town will be allowed to expand its borders.

In turn, the county will purchase water and sewer capacity from the town. The town is then expected to contribute its sewer and water infrastructure to a yet-to-be-formed regional water and sewer authority that will operate independent of the town and county.

As part of the new deal, which both sides agreed to last month, the county withdrew the lawsuit and the town agreed not to file for annexation.

According to a county staff report, the new rate schedule will assess tap fees based on meter size, which is the same calculation method used by the town.

The supervisors will also consider Tuesday:

A resolution designating a portion of the Hughes River as a scenic river

Acceptance of a $2,250 grant for the Sheriff’s Office from the Office of the Attorney General

Acceptance of a $38,335 training grant for the E-911 Center.