BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF FAUQUIER COUNTY WARREN GREEN BUILDING 10 HOTEL STREET WARRENTON, VIRGINIA 20186 PH (540) 422-8020, FX (540) 422-8022 bos@fauaulercounty.aov June 14, 2017 Mr. D. Mark Nesbitt, Warrenton Resident Engineer Virginia Department of Transportation 457 E. Shirley Avenue Warrenton, VA 20186 Mr. John D. Lynch, P.E. Culpeper Di Virginia Department of Transportation 1601 Orange Road Culpeper, VA 22701 Ms, Alison De Tuneq, Culpeper District Representative Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board 330 Berkmar Drive Charlottesville, VA 22901 Re; Request of the Board of Supervisors of Fauquier County to Lower Speed Limit on Route 29 between Opal and Culpeper County Line Dear Ms. De Tuncq and Mssrs. Nebsitt and Lynch: On June 12" another tragic motor vehicle eccident occurred on Route 29 near Freeman's Ford Road. A large pickup truck rear-ended a car resulting in the death of the two occupants of the car along with serious injury to a third person. This is the second fatal wreck on Route 29 in that area in the last 7 months. Fauquier County 91 | Center statistics show that from June 12, 2013 to date there have been 44 accidents with injuries and 50 accidents without injury on the stretch of Route 29 from the Rappahannock River Bridge to the light at Freeman's Ford Road. While motor vehicle travel cannot be made :otally safe from accident or injury speed limits have a direct impact on fatalities and injuries. ‘The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety & Highway Loss Data Institute reported in April 2016 that over a 20 year study period “a 5 mph increase in the maximum state speed limit was associated with an 8 percent increase in fatality rates on interstates and freeways and a 4 percent increase on other roads."' Unfortunately it appears that the area of Route 29 between Opal and the Rappahannock River Bridge at Remington has become an example of this maxim, 2 Farmer, C.M, 2016, Relationship of trafic fatality rates to maximum state speed limits. Insurance Institue for Highway Safety, Arlington, VA.Mr. D. Mark Nesbitt, Mr. John D. Lynch, Ms. Alison De Tuneq June 14, 2017 Page Two While 2 60 mph speed limit would appear appropriate in Culpeper County where most of Route 29 is limited access and there are few private access points onto the roadway, the same is not true in Fauquier County where many residences and businesses have direct access onto Route 29 between Opal and Route 28. The inclusion of traffic entering and exiting Route 29 without the benefit of deceleration or acceleration lanes results in a dangerous mix of high speed and slow traffic that can lead to accidents and injuries. ‘The Board of Supervisors is writing you today to respectfully request that VDOT take the following immediate actions to reduce motor vehicle accidents and to protect the lives of Fauquier County citizens and those passing through our county: a. Reduce the speed limit on the section of Route 29 from the intersection of Route 17 and 29 in Opal to the light at the intersection of Routes 28 and 29 from 60 mph to 55 mph. b. Establish 45 mph speed limits for both northbound and southbound traffic approaching Freeman's Ford Road. c. Placement of rumble strips along Route 29 at the intersection of Route 29 and Freeman's Ford Road. It cannot be disputed that a reduction from 60 mph to 55 mph will result in less accidents and less injuries and fatalities, The reduction of the speed limit from 60 mph to 55 mph over the approximately 5 mile stretch of Route 29 will only increase travel times by 45 seconds. The loss of 45 seconds in vehicle trip time is a small burden to impose in order to increase the likelihood that uur citizens and those passing through Fauquier County will not be injured or killed in a traffic accident. The Board of Supervisors of Fauquier County will adopt a resolution at its next meeting, ‘on July 13,2017 formally making this request. Because of these tragedies the Board of Supervisors wished to convey its feelings directly to you without waiting for its upcoming meeting. The Board hopes that VDOT can take immediate action also to reduce the speed limits and save lives. Sincerely yours, Board of Supervisors of Fauquier County wtf T Bucher Ah ZH Christopher T. Butler, Vice-Chairman CTBipsm:rpe