On Friday, Sept. 20, the contractor of the Falling Branch Intersection Improvements Project will be opening the new entrance into Gateway Plaza, Food Lion and Tractor Supply, off Roanoke Street. The new entrance aligns with the intersection of Falling Branch Road.
Please see the map below for the new traffic pattern. On the morning of Friday, Sept. 20, the enter side of the new entrance will be open, while the exit side remains closed for striping. By the evening of Sept. 20, both directions of the new entrance are scheduled to be open, and the old entrances in red will be closed. Once the old entrances are closed, the contractor will begin demolition of those roadways.
This project will also include a new traffic signal at the intersection of Roanoke Street and Falling Branch Road, which has not yet been installed. The purpose of this project is to improve safety and traffic flow at this intersection by consolidating shopping center entrances and adding the traffic signal. Additionally, the project will add storm drainage, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and street lighting improvements.
The Falling Branch Intersection Improvements Project contract was awarded to SC Rossi Construction in the amount of $1,837,967. The project will be partially funded through VDOT’s Revenue Sharing 50% matching-fund program, which amounts to a match of $678,350. The Gateway Plaza property owner is also contributing $150,000 toward the project.
The Town has received separate VDOT funding for the future extension of a sidewalk along the north side of Roanoke Street from the new signalized Falling Branch intersection to Hubble Drive. The sidewalk extension project is currently in the early design phase. 