Broadwater and Stone Road intersections targeted by VDOT for Smart Scale projects

Pictured: The intersection of Route 13 and Stone Road in Cape Charles. 

Representatives from Accomack County, Northampton County and Chincoteague met Tuesday with the Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT) to begin discussions on the next round of Smart Scale applications, a statewide program that funds transportation improvements through a competitive scoring process.

For the first time, the VDOT conducted preliminary scoring of potential project sites on the Eastern Shore. That scoring helped narrow down a list of 10 to 12 possible intersections across both Accomack and Northampton counties. Many previously considered projects were found to be ineligible or scored poorly, in some cases receiving a zero.

In Northampton County, only two intersections were identified as strong candidates: Route 13 at Broadwater Road and Route 13 at Stone Road, both heavily traveled areas with a history of accidents despite being signalized. Northampton County Administrator Charlie Kolakowski noted that signalized intersections often see higher crash rates when traffic engineering does not keep pace with growth.

The Stone Road project, long discussed in Cape Charles, could gain new momentum. A prior plan to extend the northbound left-turn lane into town was blocked the formerly active railroad crossing. With the tracks now gone, VDOT officials believe planned improvements, including extended turn lanes and wider approaches, could move forward.

The Broadwater Road intersection also drew attention, with its narrow shoulders and deep roadside ditches creating safety hazards. Supervisor Betsy Mapp, who represents the district in which this intersection is located, said widening the roadway and improving approaches should be part of any proposal.

Kolakowski said VDOT requested a meeting on October 10 to review the design and applications, which is before the next Board meeting. The board voted to allow Kolakowski to move forward.