News
Stay up to date on the latest news from the SAWMPO.
Draft Round 4 Smart Scale Project Scores Announced
The Commonwealth Transportation (CTB) released scores for the fourth round of transportation projects to be evaluated under the SMART SCALE prioritization process at their January 2021 meeting. More than 400 applications were submitted by localities, metropolitan...
Hands-Free Law Makes Holding a Cell Phone Illegal While Driving
Beginning January 1, 2021, it is now illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., a smart phone) while driving a moving motor vehicle. The "hands-free" law allows police to pull a driver over for having a phone in their hand. The first offense...
SAWMPO Approves Long Range Transportation Plan for the Region
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) Policy Board approved Draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) at their December 2, 2020 meeting. The LRTP identifies potential projects for funding over a 25-year period. The document...
Staunton to Begin Central Avenue Streetscape Improvements
The City of Staunton announced on November 23, 2020 via a press release that the City has engaged Messer Contracting, LLC to undertake a 20-month, $1.9M streetscape project that will renovate and invigorate a three-block section of North Central Avenue between West...
Virginia Breeze Bus Service Honored with Virginia Commonwealth Connectors Award
The Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) received the Commonwealth Connectors Award at the annual American Planning Association (APA) Virginia conference in October 2020. The award recognizes DRPT’s successful planning and implementation of the Virginia...
Final Survey Released of High Crash Corridor Along Route 250 in Augusta County, Waynesboro
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and a consultant recently completed a study of one of the highest crash corridors in the region — Route 250 (Jefferson Highway/West Main Street) in Augusta County and the City of Waynesboro. The study focuses on a...
Weigh-In On Proposed Transportation Projects for the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Region through Interactive Online Map and Questionnaire
The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is releasing a mobile-ready interactive website showcasing proposed walking, bicycling, roadway, and transit projects. We are seeking community input on how well the proposed projects meet our...
Over $13.6 million in funding for rail infrastructure improvements between Clifton Forge, Charlottesville
Per WSHV in Harrisonburg and other media outlets, on September 21, 2020 Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced federal funding totaling $13,670,000 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY20 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements...
I-64/664 Corridor Improvement Plan Continues
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), supported by the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), is studying Interstate 64 and I-664 from...
SAWMPO Region Submits 14 Smart Scale Applications
Localities and regional applicants in the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) region submitted 14 unique tranportation project grant applications requesting $78 million to the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) Smart...