Officials again cut speed on Va. 151

By Erin McGrath

Published: November 19, 2008

Read more of The Nelson County Times’ coverage of Virginia 151

The Virginia Department of Transportation lowered the speed limit last month along nearly two miles of Virginia 151 near Nellysford from 55 miles per hour to 45 mph.

The request for a lower speed for this portion of the road, which begins one-half mile north of the Va. 634 and Va. 151 intersection in Nellysford and extends to two-tenths of a mile south of the Va. 6 East and the Va. 151 intersection, came from the Nelson County Board of Supervisors in June.

VDOT regional traffic engineers in Lynchburg studied the stretch of the road, examining factors such as speed data, road characteristics, pedestrian activity and reported crashes in the past three years, before making a recommendation, said Kevin Wright of VDOT.

VDOT’s central office in Richmond made the final decision.

This change now makes Va. 151 a 45 mph zone in the five miles between Nellysford and Bland Lane in Afton.

The speed limit along an initial stretch of Va. 151 was lowered last November after four people were killed in two vehicle accidents, making it the deadliest year in a decade. The lowered speed limit came after a working group of residents, elected officials and VDOT representatives met to discuss possible solutions more than a year ago.

No fatalities have occurred along Va. 151 in 2008 and only five people were injured in accidents from January through July 31.

“The numbers are real,” North District Supervisor Tommy Harvey said. “I think one of the things is just making people pay attention (with the lowered speed limit.) It’s been very successful.”

Harvey and Central District Supervisor Connie Brennan held a town hall meeting on Nov. 12 to discuss the changes along the road.

Harvey said supervisors planned to ask for another section of the Va. 151 speed limit to be lowered at their next meeting on Nov. 18.