New work zone, utility laws enacted by VA Legislature: THE DIGEST

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Virginia adds civil penalties for moving violations in active work zones

RICHMOND – In the 2024 session, the Virginia General Assembly enacted new penalties around work zones.

House Bill 282 was signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on March 26, and its new tiered fine system went into effect July 1. A driver’s first moving violation inside of an active work zone now comes with a $300 penalty. Get another one in 12 months after the first, now it’s a $500 penalty. The third offense brings the total to $750.

DRIVE SMART Virginia, a nonprofit organization whose stated goal is to reduce driver fatalities, provided some tips on what to do when encountering crews working on the road:

• Expect the unexpected – Normal speed limits may be reduced; traffic lanes may change; and people may be working on or near the road.
• Slow down – Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.
• Keep your distance – Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you and don’t tailgate.
• Pay attention to the signs – Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you’ve left the work zone.
• Obey road crew flaggers – A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying directions.
• Stay alert and minimize distractions – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving.

According to the DRIVE SMART Virginia press release, the organization, Appalachian Power, and Columbia Gas of Virginia advocated for the new laws during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly.

“The main point is to raise awareness to urge Virginia drivers to slow down, pay attention, and obey flaggers in work zones,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “We are grateful for the 20 other organizations that recognized the urgent need for this legislation and supported the effort along with us to get it passed to protect Virginians.”

“Vehicle traffic presents a significant safety concern for employees who work along roadways,” said Appalachian President and COO Aaron Walker. “Attentive driving in work zones helps ensure the safety of motorists and workers alike.”

New law prevents utility shut offs during extreme heat

RICHMOND – A new law will keep the lights, and air conditioning, on for Virginia residents behind on their utility bills.

An identical pair of bills, House Bill 906 and Senate Bill 480 , were signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on April 17. The new law prevents Virginia utilities from shutting off service to a customer:

• when temperatures are at or below 32°F or at or above 92°F
• on Fridays, weekends, state holidays or on the day before a state holiday
• during a state of emergency declared by the governor in response to a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic

The Virginia Poverty Law Center issued a press release on the bill, including statements from its sponsors.

“In 2021, I passed HJ 538 declaring access to water a human right – as a result of the disconnections that were occurring in my community during the pandemic,” said  Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg). “This legislation is an increased protection for all families to ensure Virginians have access to essential utilities when it is needed most. I’m proud that because of this legislation, we can ensure that no family has to suffer through disconnections from essential utilities when access to them is most critical.”

“Passage of the Emergency Utilities Protection Act ensures that essential utility services remain a right, not a privilege, during the moments when they are needed most,” said Delegate Irene Shin (D-Herndon).

Despite closure, WARM continues working to help SAW residents facing homelessness

The following is a press release from WARM.

WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry, Inc. (WARM) is spending the summer months focusing on providing assistance to unsheltered men and women in the Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro (SAW) region through its outreach ministry.  Activities including providing transportation; delivering food, water, clothing, and temporary shelter; and facilitating homeless neighbors to obtain birth certificates or state issued identification cards are just some ways that WARM staff are helping.

Since the Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) closed on April 1, thirty-five to forty homeless neighbors have been served.  While many CWS guests found alternative housing after the CWS season ended, a few had to return to living outside.  In addition, staff is helping other homeless neighbors who were not former CWS guests but recently sought outreach assistance from WARM.  Many are seeking ways to cope with the extreme summer weather with tents and water being in demand.

“Even though the frigid temperatures are behind us, homeless individuals face equally dangerous conditions during the brutal heat of June, July, and August.  Hyperthermia can kill just as many as hypothermia,” said Acting Executive Director/Board Chairperson Brian Edwards.  “Even though there are no official ‘cooling centers’ in the area, our homeless neighbors have found ways to get out of the elements.  Usually, this is through other non-profit organizations, stores, and some public buildings that open their doors to them.  However, these locations are not always reliable.  Our organization wants the community to remember that homelessness is a year-round condition form several of our neighbor.  The way they can help is to provide resources to WARM and other groups that work with the unsheltered all year.”

WARM’s other year-round ministry, the Ruth Van Cleve Anderson WARM House for Women & Children, continues to operate at near capacity.  The ministry assists mothers with children develop the life skills needed to transition to more stable housing.  At the end of June, there were five families residing at Ruth’s House.  Also, planning for this year’s Cold Weather Shelter is already in the works.  It is slated to begin on Nov. 25.

Anyone wishing to make donations to WARM can do so at www.waynesboro.org call (540) 324-8166.

Rockfish Road closes for bridge replacement

A portion of Rockfish Road will close between July 8 to July 25.

The closure is between New Hope/Crimora Road and Hildebrand Church Road. Bridge crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation will be replacing a small bridge with a box culvert. The stream crosses the road just south of the Rockfish Road and Crimora Road intersection.

VDOT announced the closure with a press release, which gave the following detour route:

• Traffic located on Route 865 north of the closed bridge, wishing to head south: Route 865 southbound traffic can detour by heading north on Route 865 and then head east on Route 612 to south on Route 340 (East Side Highway) to west on Route 611 (Dooms Crossing Road) to north on Route 865.
• Traffic located on Route 865 south of the closed bridge, wishing to head north: Route 865 northbound traffic can detour by heading south on Route 865, then east on Route 611, then north on Route 340, then west on Route 612 and then south on Route 865.

Property owners can expect to have access to their properties throughout construction.

VDOT traffic from July 8 to July 12

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

INTERSTATE 64

• No lane closures reported.

INTERSTATE 81

• *UPDATE* Mile marker 205 to 208, northbound and southbound – Right shoulder closures for shoulder repairs, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Mile marker 205 to 211, northbound – Overnight single lane closures for pavement resurfacing, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through August 15.
• Mile marker 214 to 210, southbound – Alternating lane closures for milling and paving operations, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nights through July 25. Exit 213 traffic will be detoured during ramp paving.
• Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound – Left and right shoulder closures in place 24/7 through spring 2026. Work zone speed limit 60 miles an hour. Traffic restrictions are for I-81 widening project.
• *NEW* Mile marker 222 to 221, southbound – Overnight mobile left lane closures for pavement markings, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday nights. Traffic restrictions are for I-81 widening project.

PRIMARY ROADS

• *NEW* Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Flagger traffic control between I-81 on- and off-ramps and Route 2003 (Wayside Drive) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
• *NEW* Route 340 (Eastside Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Forgotten Lane and Route 663 (Crimora Station Lane/Mine Branch Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
• *UPDATE* Route 340 (Stuarts Draft Highway) – Flagger traffic control between Route 655 (Walnut Hills Road) and Route 652 (University Farm Road) for installation of rumble strips, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

SECONDARY ROADS

• Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) – Flagger traffic control between Route 848 (Rankin Lane) and Route 634 (China Clay Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.
• Route 611 (Dooms Crossing Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 340 (East Side Highway) and Route 619 (Purple Cow Road) for utility pole installation, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Thursday.
• Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 2025.
• Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.
• Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 610 (Howardsville Turnpike) for utility work, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 30.
• Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 2025.
• Route 682 (McKinley Road) – Occasional flagger traffic control between Route 252 (Middlebrook Road) and Route 679 (Campbells Hollow Road) for utility pole installation, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 8 - 25.
• *NEW* Route 865 (Rockfish Road) – Closed to through traffic between Route 612 (New Hope-Crimora Road) and Route 619 (Hildebrand Church Road) for installation of box culvert, July 8 – 25. Follow posted detour.
• Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: New work zone, utility laws enacted by VA Legislature: THE DIGEST