Proposed ADHS “Super-2” Specifications

Proposed ADHS “Super-2” Specifications

· Minimum design speed of 65 mph (105 km/h) in rural areas, with 50 mph (80 km/h) allowed in mountainous and urban areas.

· Sight distance, curvature and superelevation according to the current edition of AASHTO's A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets for the design speed.

· Maximum grade determined by a table, with up to 6% allowed in mountainous areas and hilly urban areas.

· At least one lane in each direction, and more if necessary for an acceptable level of service in the design year, according to the current edition of AASHTO's A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.

· Climbing lanes and emergency escape ramps should be provided where necessary for an acceptable level of service in the design year, according to the current edition of AASHTO's A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.

· Minimum lane width of 12 ft (3.6 m).

· Minimum paved shoulder width of 10 ft (3.0 m)

· Pavement cross slope of at least 1.5% and preferably 2% to ensure proper drainage on straight sections. This can be increased to 2.5% in areas of heavy rainfall. Shoulder cross slope should be between 2% and 6% but not less than the main lanes.

· Roadside barriers should be used for slopes of 3:1 or steeper, in accordance with the current edition of AASHTO's Roadside Design Guide.

· No fixed objects should be in the clear recovery area, determined by the design speed in accordance with the current edition of AASHTO's Roadside Design Guide. When this is not possible, breakaway supports or barriers guarding the objects shall be used.

· Vertical curbs are prohibited. Sloping curbs are to be at the edge of the paved shoulder, with a maximum height of 100 mm (4 in). The combination of curbs and guardrail is discouraged; in this case the guardrail should be closer to the road than the curb.

· Minimum vertical clearance under overhead structures (including over the paved shoulders) of 16 ft (4.9 m) in rural areas and 14 ft (4.3 m) in urban areas, with allowances for extra layers of pavement. Through urban areas at least one routing should have 16 ft (4.9 m) clearances. Sign supports and pedestrian overpasses must be at least 17 ft (5.1 m) above the road, except on urban routes with lesser clearance, where they should be at least 1 ft (0.3 m) higher than other objects. Vertical clearance on through truss bridges is to be at least 17 ft (5.1 m).

· Super 2 roadways shall be constructed in such away that will allow for a second roadway to be constructed at a future date when traffic patterns dictate a divided highway is needed.

· Building set backs must be at least 100 ft (30.0 m) from the edge of the paved shoulder.

No more than one grade level crossing per 5000 ft (1500.0 m)

US 220 Request Letter

April 19, 2006

To: WV Department of Highways & MD State Highway Administration

After discussion at the March 15^th meeting in Hampshire County the US 50 Association representing Frederick County, VA, Garrett County, MD, Hampshire, Mineral, Grant, Taylor, and Preston Counties in West Virginia request that the US 220 North-South Corridor follow the existing US 220 route.

US 220 multiplexes with US 50 from Junction in Hampshire County, WV west to near New Creek in Mineral County, WV and this would allow a 10 mile section of US 50 to be upgraded into 4-lane. The association believes that this will best serve the communities involved by improving safety and commerce along US 50.

Gary Howell Les Shoemaker
Mineral County Planning Commission Hampshire County Commission
March meeting facilitator March meeting host

March 2006 Minutes

Attendees: Gary Howell-Mineral Co., Evelyn Baker-Hampshire Co., Nannette Milleson-Hampshire Co., Stephen Smoot-Mineral Co., Dave Beard-Garrett Co. MD, Richard Feigley-Garrett Co. MD, Grady Bradfield-Hampshire Co., Les Shoemaker-Hampshire Co., Ken Musgrave-Mineral Co., Darwin Wolfe, Preston Co., Mona Ridder-Cumberland, MD, Nathan Signs-Hampshire Co., Dave Moe-Garrett Co. MD, Mitch Davis-Hampshire Co., Don Graham-Mineral Co., Chuck DeHaven, Frederick Co. VA, Cindy Pyles-Mineral Co, Michael O’Brian-Hampshire Co., Robert Amtower-District 5 WVDOH, William Wood-WVDOH Charleston, Lessie Treutle-Mineral Co., Brian Carr-WVDOH Charleston, Bob Turner-Hampshire Co., Bill Hicks-Hampshire County, CB Woodwilliam-Grant Co.

Les Shoemaker President of the Hampshire County Commission welcomed all participants to Hampshire County, and recognized Chuck DeHaven County Supervisor of Fredrick County VA, as this is their first meeting. Les then turned the meeting over to Gary Howell of Mineral County.

Old Business:

After introductions, Gary Howell presented Chuck DeHaven of Frederick County, VA a copy of the US 50 Needs Study prepared by Brian Carr of WVDOH.

It was decided that a letter should be sent from the group to, the six senators and four congresspersons representing the 3 states along the section of US 50, requesting that a new “Super 2” highway standard be considered as part of an expanded ADHS system to connect the current 4 lane corridors on the system. We are requesting that US 50, where it is not practical to be four lanes be considered for this new “Super 2” standard. Stephen Smoot of Potomac State College volunteered to prepare the letter.

Evelyn Baker of Hampshire County stated that our Federal Representatives were open to the idea of using Homeland Security money for improvements to US 50 as an evacuation route for Washington, but also stated that money was drying up.

At the last US 50 meeting Dave Bread of Garrett County, MD ask about the Wilson-Corona bridge project and that could the US 50 association bring that to the states attention. After that meeting Gary Howell contacted Alan Evans WV delegate for that area and requested it be looked into. Dave Beard at this meeting announced that WV had moved on the Wilson-Corona Bridge project (near Bayard on a US 50 feeder road) and that project is on track to be built. It was expressed that CSX had an issue with a railroad crossing on the WV side, and that WV would have to address that issue. Bob Amtower of District 5, WVDOH said that had all been taken care of with CSX.

New Business:

Bob Amtower of District 5 WVDOH announced that with the next paving project of US 50 from the Grant County line east to Skyline in Mineral County center road reflectors would be imbedded in the road to help in foggy and other adverse conditions. This was something that had been suggested at several US 50 meetings in the past.

Lessie Treutle of Mineral County asks about lighting at intersections to help with safety and travel.

Gary Howell brought fourth a request from the people of Elk Garden that strobe light be added to the stop sign at the intersection of WV 42 and US 50 at Skyline to help prevent accidents in foggy conditions. Brian Carr is adding it to the US 50 Needs Study.

WV Senate Bill 673 was discussed which would give the counties the right to raise bonds to help with road projects needed in their area. This would be outside WVDOH, but allow counties some access to Federal Matching Funds for these projects. It was unclear if this would effect WV’s state funds if. It was suggested we look into this further.

Regional Issues:

William Wood of WVDOH talked about the US 220 north south corridor, and its proposed routes. Les Shoemaker of Hampshire County ask that the group support the route that followed the existing US 220 corridor, which includes a large section of US 50 from Knobley Mt in Mineral County to Junction in Hampshire County. He stated that this would give a 4-lane section to US 50. It was agreed that the US 50 association would write a letter to WVDOH in support of this. Stephen Smoot volunteered to write the letter.

Meeting adjourned at 2:10 and the next meeting will be held in Mineral County on May 17^th at a place to be determined.