Officials could ask for Senseny Road speed study

Residents concerned motorists drive too fast along stretch from I-81 bridge to Greenwood intersection

By Alex Bridges -- abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Another busy road in Frederick County faces scrutiny over speed concerns.

While the portion of Senseny Road in question spans only a short distance, officials said earlier this week motorists still drive too fast along the straight, flat route.

Members of the Frederick County transportation committee on Monday recommended the Board of Supervisors ask the state to perform a study on Senseny Road from where the major route begins at the bridge over Interstate 81 to Greenwood Road. The supervisors could ask the Virginia Department of Transportation to conduct a speed study.

County staff had received requests from residents along Senseny Road for the study, according to transportation planner John Bishop, who brought the matter before the panel. Bishop reported on traffic counts calculated for the stretch of road but said he had not yet received data on the number vehicle crashes for the route.

"Westbound traffic currently from 45 to 35 [mph] is coming at a pretty decent clip," Bishop said.

Shawnee Supervisor Gene Fisher questioned the existence of the 45-mph zone at all, noting it spans only a short stretch before motorists end up at the traffic signal at Greenwood Road.

Red Bud Supervisor Chris Collins noted the road he often travels also serves as a popular shortcut for motorists looking to avoid Va. 7 as they drive through Frederick County. Collins warned the road likely only would see more traffic in the future.

Residents also have complained about motorists passing vehicles on the right, which means leaving the road to go around, according to Bishop. The planner and supervisors noted lowering the speed limit may not prevent drivers from violating that road rule.

Recently, a motorist struck a county employee riding his bicycle along Senseny Road, Bishop recalled.