According to the VTrans Multimodal Needs Assessment, the intersection of North Main Street and the U.S. 460 Bypass in the Town of Blacksburg has a high rate of severe accidents. In the Salem District, it ranks No. 8 by total crashes and No. 9 by the number of fatalities and injuries. In response to the Town and other parties, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) came up with a plan (the R-cut plan) to eliminate potential dangerous moves at the intersection. Many residents saw that as an inadequate approach only to shift problems elsewhere and introduce new complications. VDOT submitted the R-cut plan to the Town for it's approval. On Sept. 22, 2015 the Blacksburg Town Council hastily voted in a split decision to request VDOT to consider the R-cut plan.

Residents united to oppose the Town's decision. In a bold and courageous move, the Town decided to withdraw support for the R-cut plan and submit a new application to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for a grade separated interchange, something that the Town had advocated in the past with no success. In mid December, 2016, the Town received a letter from VDOT indicating that the agency has kept the R-cut plan on its Six-Year Improvement Program. This unexpected and unusual announcement can only complicate the process and gravely jeopardize the real solution, building a grade separated interchange.

At this point, citizens' involvement is pivotal to support our Town's latest decision and to request VDOT to withdraw the flawed R-cut plan. Concurrently, we encourage CTB to fund construction of a grade separated interchange at the North Main Street and the U.S. 460 Bypass intersection. Finally, while awaiting a permanent solution, we ask the Town of Blacksburg and VDOT to take all necessary measures to reduce the number of accidents at that intersection.

Sign now to eliminate accidents and loss of precious lives at the North Main Street and the U.S. 460 Bypass Intersection.

This effort is dedicated to the memory of those who have lost their lives at this intersection and to the support of their families and friends.