East Market Street STARS Study

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Current Size: 80%

The objective of the Virginia Department of Transportation's STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) Program is to develop comprehensive, innovative transportation solutions to relieve congestion bottleneck and solve critical traffic and safety challenges throughout the commonwealth.  The East Market Street, US Route 33, study corridor was identified as an important corridor with roughly 30 entrances per mile, 9 signalized intersections, over 150 acres of existing commercial development directly fronting the corridor and continued development in the area.  The study identified strategies to reduce crashes, maximize existing vehicular capacity, and make spot improvements on the corridor.  Consideration was given to the likelihood that recommended improvement would compete favorably for transportation funding.

Existing safety and traffic operational issues in the project area were identified and reviewed with a goal of developing improvements to maximize vehicular mobility through minimizing congestion and delay, reducing crashes and improving access management.  In addition to these general improvement objectives, the study proposed improvement alternatives for 2025 conditions by addressing operational enhancements and capital improvement projects in the project study area.  One area of focus was the proposed extension of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from its current terminus at US Route 33 to a new intersection with Country Club Road, as recommended for improving access management, including the configuration of uncontrolled crossovers and the impact of commercial entrances on safety and capacity.

The study roadways and intersections are shown below.

 Market Street STARS diagram

For more information, view the final report PDF[13MB].

Questions? Contact Mr. Tom Hartman, PE, Director of Public Works at Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov or 540-434-5928