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Overview

The Southside Planning District Commission (SPDC) provides transportation planning assistance to the three counties and twelve towns located in the region.  Planning activities are guided by the SPDC's Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, composed of local representatives, VDOT officials and Commission staff.

Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC)

Agenda:      pdf January 11, 2024 (152 KB)

Minutes:       pdf November 21, 2023 (107 KB)

Services Provided

  • Transportation Planning (TTAC meetings, Rural Long-Range Transportation Plan, Regional Active Transportation Plan, etc.)
  • Grant Writing and Administration
  • Identify Funding Resources/Opportunities
  • Data Collection (GPS, GIS, Trail/Pedestrian Counters)
  • Technical Assistance to Localities and Roanoke River Rails-to-Trails, Inc.
  • GIS mapping

Rural Transportation Planning Work Program

Each year a Rural Transportation Planning Work Program is adopted by the Planning District Commission, which identifies numerous transportation projects and other technical assistance to be provided.  Examples of past and on-going work include: Regional Long Range Transportation Plan; Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Plans; Prepare and Assist with Transportation Grants; Assistance with Transportation Elements in Comprehensive Plans; and Utilization of GIS and GPS Equipment for Transportation Related Projects.

  pdf FY24 Rural Transportation Planning Work Program (225 KB)

2045 Rural Long-Range Transportation Plan

2045 RLRTP PicThe 2045 Rural Long-Range Transportation Plan was officially adopted by the SPDC on January 23, 2020.  The plan includes data relating to demographics, land use, transportation goals, and numerous inventories related to the region's transportation network.  However, the most notable sections of the plan contain transportation recommendations based on the results of a prioritization matrix and also the inclusion of vision projects.  The prioritization matrix (an Excel spreadsheet that scores each recommended improvement) was utilized to identify those transportation projects throughout the region that are best positioned to receive support and funding during future grant cycles, most notably the Virginia Department of Transportation's Smart Scale program.  The prioritized recommendations are mapped according to their ranking and a brief overview is provided.  Vision projects represent those transportation projects deemed important by local jurisdictions but lack the necessary data points to be fairly scored by the prioritizaton matrix.  Common examples include new roadways, roadways with insufficient data, sidewalks, and multi-use trails.

  pdf 2045 Rural Long-Range Transportation Plan (8.45 MB)

Active Transportation Plan

Currently there are two plans that address bicycle, pedestrian and trail planning in the region.  They include:   pdf Halifax County Trails, Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan (9.72 MB)  (2004) and the  pdf Lake Country Bicycle, Pedestrian & Trails Plan (4.20 MB)  (2007). Both plans set forth goals and strategies to continue in the development of a network of on-road bicycle and off-road shared use recreational trails within Brunswick, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties.  The bicycle and trails system has been designed to maximize the region's rich history and natural assets, take advantage of old abandoned railroad lines, and identify ways to increase the awareness of, and safety issues regarding, "sharing the road" with bicycles and other non-motorized modes of transportation.

SPDC staff are in the early stages of preparing to update and consolidate the two existing bicycle, pedestrian and trails plans into on comprehensive regional plan.  More information on this update will be posted as it becomes available.

US 58 Richmond District Arterial Preservation Plan

VDOT contracted with Michael Baker International to work with localities, stakeholders, and the public, to study and recommend improvements along US 58 in Brunswick and Mecklenburg Counties.  The purpose of the plan is to  improve safety and preserve roadway capacity along US 58 without the need for wide-scale roadway widenings.  Please use the link below to view plan that was finalized in late 2019.

pdf US 58 Richmond District Arterial Preservation Plan (47.30 MB)