The state officially confirmed they are installing the traffic lights at the Route 55 intersection. This victory belongs to the 898 of you who refused to let them ignore our safety concerns. Keep an eye on that junction as construction begins so we can hold them to the timeline.
April 5, 2022
Petition for Safety Improvements at High Knob Entrance (Route 55 and High Knob Road), Warren County, Virginia
Final supporters
High Knob Office E-Mail: [email protected]
High Knob Office Phone: 540-635-6086
Petitioners
- High Knob Board of Directors
- High Knob Residents
- Warren County Residents
- Front Royal Residents
- Commuters Route 55 (between Front Royal and Linden)
Background
High Knob is a Sanitary District in Warren County of 473 homes (see https://www.hkoai.com/) and additional 131 vacant lots which can potentially be developed. The main entrance to High Knob is via High Knob Road and Route 55. This intersection is used to enter and exit the community by residents, visitors, and vehicles providing services to residents (see Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 https://bit.ly/3kOTf4k
The safety concerns of the intersection are apparent upon driving on Route 55:
See video from High Knob Road Entrance looking at Eastbound and Westbound Traffic on Highway 55.
Route 55 is the main access road used by County commuters to access I-66 through Linden (Exit 13). Warren County estimates that 20,000 commuters pass through this intersection (See Warren County Release).
Accidents are common in the intersection, particularly when coming from the East, which requires a left turn. Despite the existing warning flashing sign, accidents have persisted because at 55 MPH or higher, coming over the hill, there is little time for drivers to safely stop behind vehicles attempting to make the left turn on to High Knob Road (see video above).
According to DMV data, there have been 13 crashes in 2020 at this intersection, eight in 2019 and nine in 2018 (See article in The Northern Virginia Daily); and 79 accidents reported via the E-911 system on that intersection between 2018 and April 2022. Beyond the data, regular commuters of this road and residents of High Knob know this to be a problem area, and many High Knob residents have witnessed near misses that could have resulted in collisions but were somehow avoided. In May 2021, Warren County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Robert Mumaw said the intersection is “a problem area for us.”
Action Requested
The Virginia Department of Transportation has exclusive jurisdiction over Route 55 at this intersection. Currently, Virginia Department of Transportation indicates that the project to improve Route 55 is currently in the planning stages on its six-year plan, with an estimated commencement of 2026 (see John Marshall Hwy./Rte. 55 East Safety Improvements). The scope of the project is not clear. However, the safety conditions will only deteriorate at this intersection as traffic continues to increase due to the growth of the area, and therefore, in the petitioner’s view, these safety improvements cannot be delayed until 2025 or beyond.
The petitioners request the following safety improvements on the intersection, in order of priority:
- Westbound Left Turn Lane.
- Lower the Speed Limit between Linden and the 45 MPH zone to the West to 40 or 45 MPH.
- Regularly re-stripe rumble strips east and west of the intersection.
Updates
February 22, 2022
We just hit 500 signatures on this petition. Call the Warren County office today to demand they prioritize the safety upgrades at the Route 55 intersection.
Reached 500 supporters
February 19, 2022
January 18, 2022
I am currently gathering collision reports from neighbors to build a formal evidence packet for the Department of Transportation. Post the link to this petition on your Facebook page today so we can keep building our pressure on officials. Email your local representative to demand they prioritize the safety upgrades at this intersection.
December 15, 2021
We just hit our first one hundred signatures. Post this link on your Facebook page today and text the URL to three friends so we can keep this pressure on the county.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2021
253 Comments
I signal well in advance of my left turn into my home in High Knob. Still, those coming over the hill at 50-60mph struggle to stop without a rear end collision into my vehicle. Please make these safety improvements.
It was one of my dear elderly friends in the accident yesterday who was coming to visit with his elderly wife and was crashed into - no fault of his own. Please do something to change this awful and deadly situation so persons can be safe!!!
This would be a big help. I do not live in High Knob but travel 55 frequently and have had many close call at this intersection. Even for those that stop safely the potential to get rear ended is great. A turn lane would be of great help.
This spot has been a hazard for years! Charter buses won’t even come that way from field trips to drop children off at schools (WCHS, WCMS, and HJB). They travel to the other exit and back track through town to avoid that section of 55. It’s time for a safety change.
December of 2010, while at a complete stop, waiting to turn left into the community as several cars passed, I was hit twice and have permanent spinal damage…SUV was totaled! I’ve seen several accidents at our community entrance.
Been a resident of High Knob for over 22 years. Have seen many accidents and they have been steadily increasing at the entranceway. In fact it’s become so common place that even people who don’t live on High Knob but in Front Royal or the county, know how dangerous this part of Rt 55 has become. The minimal rumble strips are several years old and are really pretty ineffective; drivers go right over them at normal speed. They don’t work like other rumble strips do (such as the ones at toll booths) and are too low or small to make any noticeable impact. Would help if they improved them. Why not try a single blinking yellow light, at the intersection, that “cautions” drivers traveling eastbound/westbound on Rt 55? Drivers will see that from a better distance in both directions on busy Rt 55/John Marshall Hwy. Could also consider, maybe on same light, a blinking red light (stop before proceeding) facing the entrance at High Knob Rd, but that is not as much the problem. Blinking yellow for caution on John Marshall, and perhaps blinking red at the High Knob entranceway. Most residents understand the cost issue, but would like to believe between all the local, county and state officials, there are some smart people who can come up with something, any solutions to warn drivers on a road regularly traveled at 50-55mph at all hours. T Been a resident of High Knob for over 22 years. Have seen many accidents and they have been steadily increasing at the entranceway. In fact it’s become so common place that even people who don’t live on High Knob but in Front Royal or the county, know how dangerous this part of Rt 55 has become. The minimal rumble strips are several years old and are really pretty ineffective; drivers go right over them at normal speed. They don’t work like other rumble strips do (such as the ones at toll booths) and are too low or small to make any noticeable impact. Would help if they improved them. Why not try a single blinking yellow light, at the int
Entering, and especially exiting is harrowing.
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The state officially confirmed they are installing the traffic lights at the Route 55 intersection. This victory belongs to the 898 of you who refused to let them ignore our safety concerns. Keep an eye on that junction as construction begins so we can hold them to the timeline.
April 5, 2022
Petition for Safety Improvements at High Knob Entrance (Route 55 and High Knob Road), Warren County, Virginia
Final supporters
High Knob Office E-Mail: [email protected]
High Knob Office Phone: 540-635-6086
Petitioners
- High Knob Board of Directors
- High Knob Residents
- Warren County Residents
- Front Royal Residents
- Commuters Route 55 (between Front Royal and Linden)
Background
High Knob is a Sanitary District in Warren County of 473 homes (see https://www.hkoai.com/) and additional 131 vacant lots which can potentially be developed. The main entrance to High Knob is via High Knob Road and Route 55. This intersection is used to enter and exit the community by residents, visitors, and vehicles providing services to residents (see Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 https://bit.ly/3kOTf4k
The safety concerns of the intersection are apparent upon driving on Route 55:
See video from High Knob Road Entrance looking at Eastbound and Westbound Traffic on Highway 55.
Route 55 is the main access road used by County commuters to access I-66 through Linden (Exit 13). Warren County estimates that 20,000 commuters pass through this intersection (See Warren County Release).
Accidents are common in the intersection, particularly when coming from the East, which requires a left turn. Despite the existing warning flashing sign, accidents have persisted because at 55 MPH or higher, coming over the hill, there is little time for drivers to safely stop behind vehicles attempting to make the left turn on to High Knob Road (see video above).
According to DMV data, there have been 13 crashes in 2020 at this intersection, eight in 2019 and nine in 2018 (See article in The Northern Virginia Daily); and 79 accidents reported via the E-911 system on that intersection between 2018 and April 2022. Beyond the data, regular commuters of this road and residents of High Knob know this to be a problem area, and many High Knob residents have witnessed near misses that could have resulted in collisions but were somehow avoided. In May 2021, Warren County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Robert Mumaw said the intersection is “a problem area for us.”
Action Requested
The Virginia Department of Transportation has exclusive jurisdiction over Route 55 at this intersection. Currently, Virginia Department of Transportation indicates that the project to improve Route 55 is currently in the planning stages on its six-year plan, with an estimated commencement of 2026 (see John Marshall Hwy./Rte. 55 East Safety Improvements). The scope of the project is not clear. However, the safety conditions will only deteriorate at this intersection as traffic continues to increase due to the growth of the area, and therefore, in the petitioner’s view, these safety improvements cannot be delayed until 2025 or beyond.
The petitioners request the following safety improvements on the intersection, in order of priority:
- Westbound Left Turn Lane.
- Lower the Speed Limit between Linden and the 45 MPH zone to the West to 40 or 45 MPH.
- Regularly re-stripe rumble strips east and west of the intersection.
Updates
February 22, 2022
We just hit 500 signatures on this petition. Call the Warren County office today to demand they prioritize the safety upgrades at the Route 55 intersection.
Reached 500 supporters
February 19, 2022
January 18, 2022
I am currently gathering collision reports from neighbors to build a formal evidence packet for the Department of Transportation. Post the link to this petition on your Facebook page today so we can keep building our pressure on officials. Email your local representative to demand they prioritize the safety upgrades at this intersection.
December 15, 2021
We just hit our first one hundred signatures. Post this link on your Facebook page today and text the URL to three friends so we can keep this pressure on the county.
Reached 100 supporters
December 13, 2021
253 Comments
Something needs to be done about this very unsafe entrance to High Knob. I was on a bus with school kids returning from a field trip when we hit the bus stopped in front. Our driver was not speeding but couldn’t stop in time. There needs to be a turn lane.
I signal well in advance of my left turn into my home in High Knob. Still, those coming over the hill at 50-60mph struggle to stop without a rear end collision into my vehicle. Please make these safety improvements.
It was one of my dear elderly friends in the accident yesterday who was coming to visit with his elderly wife and was crashed into - no fault of his own. Please do something to change this awful and deadly situation so persons can be safe!!!
This would be a big help. I do not live in High Knob but travel 55 frequently and have had many close call at this intersection. Even for those that stop safely the potential to get rear ended is great. A turn lane would be of great help.
This spot has been a hazard for years! Charter buses won’t even come that way from field trips to drop children off at schools (WCHS, WCMS, and HJB). They travel to the other exit and back track through town to avoid that section of 55. It’s time for a safety change.
December of 2010, while at a complete stop, waiting to turn left into the community as several cars passed, I was hit twice and have permanent spinal damage…SUV was totaled! I’ve seen several accidents at our community entrance.
Been a resident of High Knob for over 22 years. Have seen many accidents and they have been steadily increasing at the entranceway. In fact it’s become so common place that even people who don’t live on High Knob but in Front Royal or the county, know how dangerous this part of Rt 55 has become. The minimal rumble strips are several years old and are really pretty ineffective; drivers go right over them at normal speed. They don’t work like other rumble strips do (such as the ones at toll booths) and are too low or small to make any noticeable impact. Would help if they improved them. Why not try a single blinking yellow light, at the intersection, that “cautions” drivers traveling eastbound/westbound on Rt 55? Drivers will see that from a better distance in both directions on busy Rt 55/John Marshall Hwy. Could also consider, maybe on same light, a blinking red light (stop before proceeding) facing the entrance at High Knob Rd, but that is not as much the problem. Blinking yellow for caution on John Marshall, and perhaps blinking red at the High Knob entranceway. Most residents understand the cost issue, but would like to believe between all the local, county and state officials, there are some smart people who can come up with something, any solutions to warn drivers on a road regularly traveled at 50-55mph at all hours. T Been a resident of High Knob for over 22 years. Have seen many accidents and they have been steadily increasing at the entranceway. In fact it’s become so common place that even people who don’t live on High Knob but in Front Royal or the county, know how dangerous this part of Rt 55 has become. The minimal rumble strips are several years old and are really pretty ineffective; drivers go right over them at normal speed. They don’t work like other rumble strips do (such as the ones at toll booths) and are too low or small to make any noticeable impact. Would help if they improved them. Why not try a single blinking yellow light, at the int
Entering, and especially exiting is harrowing.
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Something needs to be done about this very unsafe entrance to High Knob. I was on a bus with school kids returning from a field trip when we hit the bus stopped in front. Our driver was not speeding but couldn’t stop in time. There needs to be a turn lane.