The York County Board of Supervisors Tuesday reviewed a list of 38 private roads in the county that will be improved so the Virginia Department of Transportation may take over maintenance responsibilities.
Engineers from the Department of General Services re-evaluated the current priority list — which was established in 1994 and included more than 60 streets — and ranked 38 streets based on the number of houses per foot of roadway that need to be improved, and then by the condition of the road.
The Dirt Streets Improvement Program was created in 1980, and the county has completed 17 projects since 1980.
If more than 75 percent but less than 100 percent of homeowners agree to have their street improved, the Board of Supervisors will decide whether to go forward with the improvements.
If less than 75 percent of homeowners agree, they are removed from the list.
“They were warned that once you’re off the list, you’re off the list,” Assistant County Administrator Mark Carter said.
Some streets previously listed were removed because the required percentage of homeowners did not agree to the street renovations, or the street did not meet the three-lot requirement imposed by VDOT.
After the partnership with the county to amend the road has been established and homeowners have agreed to put up the right-of-way and easements necessary for the project, the county begins construction.
After the county finishes the improvements, it will request VDOT operate and maintain the road.
Chairman Don Wiggins noted that with the improvements, school buses and trash collection agencies would have easier access to roads that are currently narrow or without a turn-around.
The funds for the project come out of the county’s capital improvements fund, which Carter estimates currently has a little more than $100,000 for the program. Money is added to the fund every year.
The last two road projects, Russell Lane in Bethel and Kay Lane in Tabb, cost the county $150,000 and $190,000, respectively.
“It’s not inexpensive, but again, it’s something that is viewed as a safety improvement, a property value improvement to get the streets into the system to get that maintenance headache off of the residents,” Carter said.
The Board of Supervisors will formally vote on the reviewed list, along with other policy changes, at a future meeting.
The VDOT Secondary System of State Highways was established in 1932 after the General Assembly passed legislation designating VDOT to manage and maintain private roads.
Find a list of all the streets on the list here.
