Route 106, New Kent County, Virginia
Project Summary
In 2003, New Kent Partners LLC initiated a plan for developing approximately 2800 acres of land in New Kent County, Virginia called New Kent Vineyards. The challenge was to provide adequate access to support this large development while maintaining the rural character and its ambiance along the three highways that serve this site. The rural ambiance is retained through 100 foot buffers, extensive landscaping, wooden fences, newly installed underground utilities, vineyards and open fields, effectively shielding the view of the residential development from Route 106.
The widening of Route 106 in New Kent County is a unique application for a divided roadway incorporating traffic calming and five roundabouts within two miles of primary highway. Two of the roundabouts, currently under construction, replace diamond ramp intersections at I-64 and Route 106. There is no similar application of roundabouts at an interchange in Virginia.
Resource International, Ltd. (Resource), a full service consulting engineering firm in Ashland, Virginia provided the overall plan, traffic and environmental studies, and construction plans to support the entire project. The zoning for New Kent Vineyards was proposed as a planned unit development (PUD) and approved by the New Kent Board of Supervisors in 2005 following a number of information meetings and public hearings.
The traffic impact report recommended significant improvements to the highways passing through New Kent Vineyards to support the traffic demands. The estimated traffic generation, approximately 45,200 vehicles per day at full development, identified the need to improve the I-64 interchange as well as reconstruct 1.5 miles of Route 106 from a two-lane roadway to a four lane divided roadway with 8' paved shoulders. Approximately 0.5 miles of Route 249 at its intersection with Routes 106 and 609 required improvements to correct the horizontal and vertical alignment of Route 249. Route 609 was widened with a center turn lane and paved 6' shoulders for 0.5 miles from Route 249 through the winery main entrance.
The significant feature of the Route 106 widening is the introduction of five roundabouts along Route 106 to serve New Kent Vineyards and the Route 106/ I-64 interchange. Two of the roundabouts provide access to the new subdivisions and the retail areas. The roundabout at Routes 106, 249 and 609 replaces a troublesome at-grade intersection that has long been a concern to residents of New Kent County. A portion of Route 249 is now relocated to improve the approach to the roundabout with better sight distance and traffic calming. The two roundabouts at the I-64 interchange are modeled after an interchange in Maryland at Route 100 and 103 in Howard County. This roundabout system eliminates widening the Route 106 structure over I-64 for left turn storage lanes. Similar interchange roundabouts were featured in FHWA's “Public Roads” in the Nov/Dec 2002 issue.
The roundabouts on Route 106 introduce traffic calming through approach curvature, reduced operating speeds, and illumination in an area considered rural. The four-lane divided Route 106 incorporating three roundabouts has been completed for approximately one year with no reported incidents. All road construction including the interchange roundabouts is funded without VDOT or FHWA funds. All construction has been accomplished under a VDOT issued Land Use Permit. The total cost to date is approximately 8.6 million dollars with interchange construction continuing. The construction budget is 9.8 million dollars.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2003, a group of land developers acquired approximately 2800 acres of land in New Kent County, Virginia. The property had good access with two primary highways and one secondary road, plus the I-64 interchange with Route 106 adjacent to the 2800 acres. This area also had no water system, wastewater system, electric power distribution, telephone, cable, nor natural gas.
A concept plan was developed and discussed with the County staff prior to zoning. The final zoning was approved two years later as a Planned Unit Development. The project, later named New Kent Vineyards, provides single family homes, age restricted homes, commercial areas, a winery, golf course, polo field, and estate homes. A traffic impact report projected a total trip generation of about 45,000 vehicles per day at full occupancy, distributed to two primary highways and one secondary highway. Roadway improvements along with new utilities are needed to accommodate full development.
Resource International, Ltd. prepared construction plans for the roadway improvements identified in the Traffic Impact Report, water supply and distribution systems, wastewater distribution systems including six pump stations, construction plans for each section of the development, called Landbays, and provided resident construction management for all of these activities.
The roadway improvements called for reconstructing Route 106 as a four lane divided highway with eight foot paved shoulders; relocating a portion of Route 249 to the east; and widening Route 609 to the north with twelve foot lanes, a center lane for turns, and six foot paved shoulders. Route 249 also was widened to have twelve foot lanes and six foot paved shoulders.
Route 106 is projected to carry in excess of 20,000 vehicles per day with full development of New Kent Vineyards. Access to each Landbay is provided at specific locations with roundabouts. This project, including the interchange at I-64, has five roundabouts within approximately two miles of Primary highway. The two roundabouts under construction at the I-64 interchange present a unique application to interchange traffic control unlike any other interchange in Virginia.
The roadway improvements designed and constructed for New Kent Vineyards embody access control, traffic calming, reduced vehicle conflicts with roundabouts, no traffic signals, roundabout lighting, landscaping, and vastly improved highways. This has been accomplished by the New Kent Partners without state or federal highway construction funds. All construction on Routes 106, 249 and 609 was completed with plans approved by VDOT under a Land Use Permit.
This project provides new roadway capacity while accomplishing traffic calming, access management, improved safety, and aesthetic design with landscaping, lighting, and a new charisma along the roadways; all at no cost to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The total project cost to date is approximately $8.6 million dollars with the I-64 Interchange roundabouts presently under construction. The total project budget is $9.806 million dollars.
PROJECT DETAILS
New Kent County Secondary Route 674, a two-lane road rebuilt in the 1970's, was re-classified as a Primary highway when Route 106 was extended to the Harrison Bridge and Prince George County. Route 106 in New Kent County ends at Route 249 and was originally constructed with two lanes, 3-4 foot shoulders and a posted speed limit of 55 mph. The traffic volume was approximately 2000 vehicles per day in New Kent County.
A Typical Section of Route 106 in New Kent County
In 2003, the New Kent Partners initiated a plan for developing approximately 2800 acres of land at Talleysville along Routes 106 and 609 to I-64. New Kent Vineyards includes residential and commercial development in five areas designated as Landbays. The plan includes a winery, vineyards, about 300 estate homes, a golf course, a polo field, a farmer's market, two shopping centers of approximately 350,000 square feet of space each, 1480 age restricted homes, and about 450 single family homes. New Kent Vineyards also includes equestrian trails and stables, 200 attached homes, and the New Kent County Visitor's Center. The concept plan for the five Landbays required close coordination with the New Kent County administrative staff, VDOT, and acceptance of a planned unit development by the County Board of Supervisors in order to proceed with detailed studies and designs. Zoning was approved in 2005 as a planned unit development.
New Kent Vineyards 2005 Concept Plan
The New Kent Partners worked closely with the County Planners and the Board of Supervisors to arrive at a solution for the development that maintained the rural character of the area without restricting the flow of traffic. As a result, the increase in traffic volumes generated by New Kent Vineyards is accommodated with the increased roadway capacity of a four lane divided roadway; roundabouts in lieu of traffic signals; providing traffic calming measures curvature; preserving existing trees along the right of way where possible; and minimizing points of access.
The New Kent Winery
The infrastructure to support New Kent Vineyards did not exist in 2005. Resource International, Ltd. (Resource), a full service consulting engineering firm in Ashland, Virginia was contracted to supply the necessary studies and construction plans to support the entire project. Resource undertook field surveys; wetland and environmental studies; Landbay concept plans; traffic impact studies; plans for water supply and wastewater systems; walking and bicycle trails; stormwater management plans; detailed concept plans for each Landbay; and highway construction plans for the necessary roadway improvements.
The traffic impact report recommended significant improvements to the state primary highways passing through New Kent Vineyards to serve the demands of the new development. The estimated traffic generation, approximately 45,200 vehicles per day for the entire development, established the need to improve the I-64 interchange as well as reconstruct Route 106 from a two-lane roadway to a four lane divided roadway north of the I-64 interchange. Route 249 and its intersection with Routes 106 and 609 also required improvements to correct the alignment of Route 249 and to improve the capacity of Route 609. This report also recommended roundabouts at significant intersections rather than traffic signals to control intersecting traffic with less delay and fewer vehicle conflicts.
Route 249 Relocation with the Present Road to the East
The arterial road network to support New Kent Vineyards requires widening Route 106 from a two-lane highway to a four-lane divided highway for approximately 1.6 miles between Route 249 on the north to the I-64 interchange. Improvements to approximately 0.5 mile of Route 249 include relocation of the highway east of Route 106 to improve the grade approaching the roundabout at Routes 106 and 609. The proposed construction for Routes 106, 249, 609 and the I-64 interchange with roundabouts at main access points was discussed with VDOT and FHWA representatives several times. Road design and roundabout design was carefully coordinated with VDOT and the Federal Highway Administration as construction plans were being prepared. VDOT's Sandston Residency, Richmond District, and Central Office representatives have participated in plan reviews. These discussions included meetings to work out the details of the proposed roundabouts. Preliminary roadway plans were reviewed and discussed at length on several occasions, with each discussion improving the design of the roundabouts and their approaches. Resource International prepared the construction plans, advertised the project, and supplied inspection services along with VDOT. State and federal participation and cooperation has been exceptional.
The most significant feature of the recommended roadway improvements from the traffic impact report is the introduction of five roundabouts along Route 106 to serve New Kent Vineyards and the I-64 interchange access to Route 106 at Exit 211. The Route 106 alignment purposely introduces curvature to the roundabout approaches, encouraging traffic calming with lower operating speeds and emphasizing the need to reduce speed in the roundabouts. The roundabouts at the two main entrances to Landbay 4 and Landbay 5 will accommodate all traffic entering and leaving these Landbays without congestion and delay. The roundabout at the intersection of Routes 106, 249 and 609 replaces a troublesome at-grade intersection that has long been a concern to residents of New Kent County. These roundabouts eliminate the need for traffic signals by reducing traffic delay, vehicle conflicts, and eliminating maintenance costs for traffic signals.
Roundabout Approach Curvature on Route 106
Speed reduction approaching roundabouts on a rural road is a serious issue in roadway design. Public safety as well as driver recognition of changing traffic patterns is critical. Route 106 is designed with reverse curvature approaching each roundabout, advance warning signs with 20 mph advisory speeds, landscaping in the roundabout center island to identify the existence of the roundabout, curb and gutter for additional contrast around the inscribed circle of the roundabout, and a contrasting truck apron around the central island. The design speed changes for the roundabout approaches are considered urban design with decreasing values. The roundabout approach design speeds decrease from 50 mph to 30 mph in the roundabouts. Operating speeds decrease from 45 mph to 20 mph in the roundabouts. Lighting for nighttime identification of the roundabouts and the new traffic patterns is provided for this predominately rural highway. Traffic calming is accomplished with reduced speed, curvature, and roundabouts.
The roundabouts on Route 106 provide access to the adjacent Landbays. Access management is accomplished with these roundabouts and their spacing along Route 106. Other entrances to Route 106 are two existing entrances to private properties, Route 610 and an opposite entrance to Landbay 5, and an entrance with turn lanes to the proposed Farmer's Market about 1000 feet south of the Route 249 roundabout. Two of the roundabouts on Route 106 provide the primary access to two Landbays of New Kent Vineyards. These are presently operating as single lane roundabouts, but.can accommodate double lanes when the traffic demand is sufficient to require more than one lane of circulating traffic.
Route 106 Roundabout at Arbor Drive Looking West
The roundabout at Routes 106, 249 and 609 has free flowing right turn lanes for the Route 106 traffic outside of the circulating roadway. These right turn lanes serve the outer lanes of Route 106 and establish the northern terminal of the four-lane divided roadway. The inside lanes of the four lane highway enter the roundabout, yielding to circulating traffic. Advance roundabout waning signs on Route 249 include LED flashing yellow lights.
This roundabout replaces an intersection that was controlled with stop signs, and was positioned in a super-elevated curve on Route 249 with restrictive sight distance and steeper approach grade on Route 249 westbound. Now, the westbound Route 249 approaches the roundabout with a lesser grade and longer approach sight distance. Resource International, Ltd. designed the Route 106 construction plans and provided a full time project representative to observe the construction. VDOT also provided an inspector during construction. Routes 106, 249 and 609 were completed and opened to traffic in June 2008. The contractor was Barnhill Contracting Company, Tarboro, North Carolina.
The design data for Route 106 is 50 mph design speed between roundabouts, decreasing to 30 mph design speed for the roundabouts. The 2025 traffic volume on Route 106 is projected at 21, 055 vehicles per day. All of this work, including all roadway improvements is privately funded along with a Community Development Authority bond. There are no federal or state funds supporting this development in New Kent County.
Roundabout at Routes 106, 249 and 609
The construction plans for Route 106 provide interchange modifications at the I-64 ramps to include roundabouts at the ramp termini on Route 106. These interchange roundabouts are modeled after a similar diamond interchange in Maryland at Routes 100 and 106 and illustrated in publications of the Federal Highway Administration. The use of roundabouts at diamond interchange ramps has a distinct advantage with traffic entering each of these roundabouts from three approaches. This type of traffic operation relieves the circulating traffic volume and allows Route 106 to easily accommodate left turning traffic without an additional lane. The interchange roundabouts have the added feature of separating right turn movements outside of the circulating traffic. These free right turns reduce the volume in the roundabout resulting in through and left turn traffic being the only traffic flows operating within the interchange roundabouts. The roundabouts with free flowing right turn lanes eliminate the stop condition on each off-ramp and convert left turn movements to circulating traffic within each roundabout.
Routes 100 and 103, Howard County, Maryland
The two I-64 interchange roundabouts are being constructed within the existing interchange right of way, maintaining the existing grade on Route 106. Since left turn storage lanes are not needed, the two-lane structure crossing over I-64 does not require widening. The contractor is Branscome Richmond. The photograph shows a similar interchange in Maryland. The Federal Highway Administration illustrated this same interchange in the Nov/Dec 2002 issue of “Public Roads”.
Today, the winery, vineyards, the golf course, the reconstruction of Route 106, 249 and 609, three roundabouts, several single family homes, water and sanitary sewer mains, local street construction in phases, rough grading of the polo field, underground utilities, six sanitary pump stations, the force main system, and landscaping along the completed portion of Route 106 including the three roundabouts have been completed. There are no above ground utilities. Route 106 is a four-lane divided highway with twin twenty-four foot roadways, eight foot paved shoulders, variable median widths, and three operating roundabouts... These roadway improvements are constructed between the I-64 interchange and Route 249 at Talleysville. The two interchange roundabouts are under construction at the interchange of Routes I-64 and 106.