A. General requirements. Most criteria
addressing the design of new streets can be found in the Road Design Manual,
2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide.
However, the following provisions are provided for guidance, particularly in
regard to features that require agreements or formal acknowledgements of the
governing body before VDOT's acceptance of the street or streets within a
development.
When an agreement is required between the local governing
body and the department as a prerequisite to the acceptance of a street,
nothing in these requirements shall preclude the local governing body from
entering into separate agreements with other entities to fulfill its
responsibilities. However, if the provisions are intended to ensure the safety
of the public using the street, the department reserves the right to approve
the involvement of the other party or parties.
All streets functionally classified as local shall have a
design speed equal to the posted speed limit, except for streets functionally
classified as local with a projected traffic volume of 400 vehicles per day or
less, which may have a design speed less than the posted speed limit.
The department, locality, and developer shall take measures
to minimize the impacts of through traffic on streets functionally classified
as local and accepted into the secondary system of state highways under these
regulations. Such measures shall include initial street designs that manage
motor vehicle speed to match local context.
B. Geometric requirements. Geometric
requirements for new streets are established in the Road Design Manual, 2011
(VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide. Sufficient
off-street parking must be provided by the local governing body in accordance
with this chapter if streets in a proposed network addition are constructed in
accordance with design requirements for streets with off-street
parking.
C. Turn lanes. Left or
right turn lanes shall be provided at intersections when the department
determines that projected turning movements warrant their installation. These
facilities shall be designed in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011
(VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide and, if
necessary, additional right-of-way shall be provided to accommodate these
facilities.
D. Pavement structure.
1. Pavement design. The pavement structure
for new streets shall be in accordance with the Pavement Design Guide for
Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT), including any
prescribed underdrains. Prior to construction of the pavement sub-base and
finish courses, the district administrator's designee shall approve the
proposed pavement design.
2.
Special pavement surfaces. The district administrator's designee may approve
special pavement surfaces, such as the use of stamped pavement. However, if the
pavement design is a type not addressed by the Pavement Design Guide for
Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT), an agreement shall be
provided by the governing body that addresses the future maintenance of such
pavement.
3. Pavement additions to
existing streets. When an existing VDOT-maintained roadway is to be widened to
accommodate additional lanes or the addition of turn lanes, the necessary
pavement design shall be obtained from the district administrator's designee
and the entire surface of the roadway (old and new portions) may be required to
be overlaid and restriped if required by the district administrator's designee.
The district administrator's designee shall not require the entire surface of
the roadway to be overlaid and restriped when the only pavement addition to the
existing roadway was for bicycle lanes unless extenuating circumstances require
that the entire surface of the roadway be overlaid and restriped.
E. Parking.
1. Perpendicular and angle parking along
streets is normally prohibited. However, perpendicular and angle parking along
streets may be considered if the features along the street cause the street to
readily appear to be a street rather than a travel way through a parking lot.
Street design that anticipates limited or no on-street
parking shall be approved when sufficient off-street parking is provided in
accordance with this chapter. Street design that anticipates the restriction of
on-street parking on one side of the street shall be approved when sufficient
off-street parking is provided for buildings on the side of the street where it
is anticipated parking will be restricted.
2. For streets designed without on-street
parking, a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be
provided in proximity of the unit that they are intended to serve. Such spaces,
which may be provided in a parking bay, driveway, or garage facilities, shall
be provided outside of the street's right-of-way. The district administrator's
designee may approve lesser parking requirements for individual developments or
classes of developments when evidence is presented to support such an approval
such as proximity to transit service or the nature of the development.
Entrances to parking bays and garage facilities shall be designed in accordance
with the appropriate provisions of the Access Management Regulations
(24VAC
30-73).
3. In instances where
the local governing body has determined, through adoption of a parking
ordinance or other similar ordinance, that lesser parking requirements are
sufficient for certain classes of development, such lesser requirements shall
govern.
4. The department shall not
prohibit roadway design that allows for the provision of on-street parking on
any roadway with a functional classification of collector or local where the
posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.
F. Cul-de-sacs and turnarounds. An adequate
turnaround facility shall be provided at the end of each cul-de-sac to permit
the safe and convenient maneuvering by service vehicles. Various configurations
of turnarounds are illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix
B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)); however, alternative
configurations may be approved by the district administrator's designee.
Additional right-of-way shall be provided as required by the design of the
turnaround. Normally, any nontraveled way areas within the turnaround, such as
an island, shall be included in the dedicated right-of-way of the facility
unless the department and the locality are able to reach an agreement for the
maintenance of such nontraveled way areas. Nothing in this chapter shall
prohibit the provision of stormwater management facilities in the nontraveled
way areas of a cul-de-sac, provided the requirements of subsection L of this
section are met.
For circular turnarounds, a well-defined, identifiable
street segment, equal to the normal lot width along the intersected street that
serves the cul-de-sac, or 50 feet, whichever is greater, shall extend from the
intersected street to the turning area.
G. Curb and gutter. For the purpose of these
requirements, the use of curb and gutter is an acceptable roadway design,
rather than a requirement. However, when used, curb and gutter shall be
designed in accordance with the Road Design Manual and the Subdivision Street
Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) and only
one curb and gutter design may be used along the length of a street.
1. Driveway entrance requirements. Without
regard to the curb design used, the curb shall incorporate a driveway entrance
apron, as illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of
the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)), to provide a smooth transition from the
gutter invert or roadway surface onto the driveway.
2. Curb ramps. All streets that incorporate
accessible routes for pedestrian use shall, without regard to the curb design
used, include curb ramps at intersections for use by persons with disabilities
and shall incorporate other applicable provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act ( 42 USC §
12101 et seq.).
H. Private entrances. All private entrances
shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street
Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).
I. Pedestrian, bicycle, and shared use path
facilities. The Commonwealth Transportation Board's "Policy for Integrating
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations," 2004 emphasizes accommodating
pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Any street proposed for VDOT acceptance shall
accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic in accordance with the Commonwealth
Transportation Board's policy and this chapter. Pedestrian and bicycle
facilities should be generally uniform between intersections and included in
the initial construction of the street, prior to VDOT acceptance.
1. Pedestrian accommodation requirements.
Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided based upon density of development,
the plans for or existence of public schools in the vicinity, the presence of
existing pedestrian accommodations, and the operational nature of the fronting
street. In all developments with pedestrian accommodations, such accommodations
shall connect with existing pedestrian accommodations and allow for connection
to future pedestrian accommodations to adjacent parcels. If multiple
requirements apply to a street, the greater accommodation requirement shall
govern. The district administrator's designee may waive or modify these
requirements for the provision of pedestrian accommodations in situations when
the accommodation exception provisions of the Commonwealth Transportation
Board's policy are met.
a. Pedestrian
accommodations shall be provided along both sides of the street or provisions
made that provide equivalent pedestrian mobility for streets with an ADT over
400 that are located in a development with a median lot size of one-quarter
acre or smaller or when the ADT for the street is over 8,000.
b. Pedestrian accommodations shall be
provided along at least one side of the street or provisions made that provide
equivalent pedestrian mobility for streets with an ADT over 400 that are
located in a development with a median lot size between one-quarter acre and
one-half acre or when the ADT for the street is between 2,000 and
8,000.
c. Pedestrian accommodations
shall be provided along at least one side of the street or provisions made that
provide equivalent pedestrian mobility within one-half street centerline mile
of a public school.
d. When
connecting to a stub street that has pedestrian accommodations, the new street
shall also include pedestrian accommodations.
e. Pedestrian accommodations shall be
provided along both sides of, or provisions made that provide equivalent
pedestrian mobility along, streets functionally classified as collectors or
arterials with three or more travel lanes. In no instance shall any sidewalk
abut the curb or the edge of a collector or higher order street, unless the
sidewalk is at least eight feet wide. In such instances tree wells shall be
provided. In instances where it is necessary to retrofit streets with
pedestrian accommodations to allow the streets to be accepted into the
secondary system of state highways, the pedestrian accommodations less than
eight feet wide may abut the curb or the edge of the street.
2. Maintenance of pedestrian and
bicycle accommodations. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are eligible for VDOT
acceptance and maintenance based on the criteria of this section. A copy of an
agreement or other document showing the proposed maintenance responsibilities
of pedestrian and bicycle facilities shall be provided to VDOT for any
pedestrian accommodation outside of the VDOT right-of-way that is used to meet
the accommodation requirements of this subsection.
a. Compliant facilities. Pedestrian and
bicycle facilities, including shared-use paths as defined under § 46.2-100
of the Code of Virginia, shall be accepted as part of the street or network
addition, unless otherwise requested by the governing body, provided they are
located fully within the dedicated right-of-way of the street and they are
constructed in accordance with applicable criteria and standards of the
department.
(1) Sidewalk criteria. Sidewalks
shall be constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide
(Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).
(2) Bicycle facility criteria. Bicycle
facilities contiguous with the street shall be in accordance with the
department's design and construction criteria set forth in the Road Design
Manual, 2011.
(3) Shared use path
criteria. Shared use paths shall be constructed in accordance with the Road
Design Manual, 2011 and closely follow the vertical alignment of the roadway
without meandering on and off the right-of-way.
b. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle, and shared
use paths. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle, and shared use paths that fail to
meet requirements of the department's standards for construction, alignment, or
placement within the dedicated right-of-way of the street shall be deemed to be
noncompliant and not qualify for maintenance unless a design waiver or
exemption is granted by the department. Noncompliant sidewalks and shared use
paths may be constructed of stabilizer convenient to the applicant.
Noncompliant facilities may co-exist within the dedicated right-of-way of the
street under a land use permit issued by the district administrator's designee
to the local governing body responsible for having established the facility
through its subdivision process or other development process.
Such permits will clearly specify the responsibility for
maintenance of the facility and related activities to the extent the facility
occupies the street's right-of-way. The permit applicant should be an entity
that can be reasonably expected to have perpetual maintenance
capability.
J. Bridge, drainage, and other grade
separation structures. Bridges, drainage, and other grade separation structures
shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable department
criteria and standards. The district administrator's designee may require
special review of the plans and construction inspection.
The department will accept grade separation structures as
part of new streets, provided the structure is a drainage structure or is
intended to separate the movement of registered motor vehicles. In addition,
the department will accept grade separation structures intended to separate
pedestrians or bicyclists or any combination thereof from traffic using the
roadway, provided:
1. The structure is
available for unrestricted public use;
2. The structure is accessible to pedestrian
accommodations situated along the street; and
3. The projected traffic volume of the street
is (i) not less than 4,000 ADT or (ii) if the structure otherwise serves as
part of the principal pedestrian access to a school or a mass transit facility
including stops and stations and a peak hour traffic volume of 450 VPH or
greater.
In all other instances, the grade separation structure shall
be deemed to be a locally controlled grade separation structure within the
right-of-way of the street, in which case the street will only be accepted as
part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department
after the local governing body and the department have executed an agreement
acceptable to the department that (i) acknowledges the department has no
responsibility or liability due to the presence of the structure and (ii)
assures the burden and costs of inspection, maintenance, and future
improvements to the structure are provided from sources other than those
administered by the department.
In all cases, whether the structure is accepted as an
integral part of the roadway for maintenance by the department or it remains a
locally controlled structure, the lighting, safety, and security of those using
such facilities shall remain a responsibility of local government.
K. Dams. The department
will only consider accepting streets for maintenance that traverse dams when
all of the following provisions are satisfied. For the purpose of this section,
a roadway will be considered to traverse a dam if any part of the fill for the
roadway and the fill for the dam overlap or if the area between the two
embankments is filled in so that the downstream face of the dam is obscured or
if a closed drainage facility from a dam extends under a roadway fill.
1. Agreements with the governing body. Except
as exempt under subdivision 6 of this subsection, the governing body
acknowledges by formal agreement the department's liability is limited to the
maintenance of the roadway and that the department has no responsibility or
liability due to the presence of the dam, the maintenance of which shall remain
the responsibility of an owner, other than the department, as established by
§ 33.2-409 of the Code of Virginia.
2. Design review. An engineer licensed to
practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall certify that the hydraulic and
structural design of any dam, as described below, is in accordance with current
national and state engineering practice and that all pertinent provisions of
the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual,
2011 (VDOT)) have been considered. Prior to approval of the roadway
construction plans, the hydraulic and structural design of a proposed dam shall
be reviewed by the department and meet the department's satisfaction if:
a. A roadway is considered to traverse a dam;
or
b. A roadway is located below
but sufficiently close to the dam that a catastrophic breach could endanger the
roadway or the safety of those using the roadway.
3. Right-of-way requirements. The
right-of-way of roads considered to occupy dams shall be recorded either as an
easement for public road purposes or as a dedication specifically to the
governing body. Right-of-way dedicated in the name of the Commonwealth or any
of its agencies is not acceptable if it includes a dam, and roads through such
right-of-way will not be accepted as a part of the secondary system of state
highways maintained by the department.
4. Supplemental, alternative access. To be
considered for VDOT maintenance, roadways that traverse a dam must be
supplemented by an appropriate alternative roadway facility for public ingress
or egress having suitable provisions that ensure perpetual
maintenance.
5. Permits. All
applicable federal and state permits associated with dams shall be secured and
filed with the locality prior to VDOT's acceptance of any street that traverses
a dam.
6. Dams exempt from
agreements. The acceptance of roadways that traverse dams shall be exempt from
the requirements for an agreement with the governing body, as required by
subdivision 1 of this subsection, if all of the following is satisfied:
a. The dam is used to create a stormwater
detention or retention facility;
b.
The maximum depth of the water retained by the impoundment at its 100-year
storm flood elevation is not greater than four feet; and
c. The surface area of the impoundment at
full flood is not greater than two acres and is beyond the right-of-way
dedicated to public use.
L. Roadway drainage.
1. Policy and procedures. All drainage
facilities shall be designed in accordance with the department's Drainage
Manual, 2002 and supplemental directives or the Subdivision Street Design Guide
(Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) as may be appropriate.
All drainage computations supporting a proposed drainage design shall be
submitted to the department for review as part of the documents necessary for
the approval of a construction plan.
2. Stormwater management. Whereas the
department considers matters regarding stormwater management associated with
the construction of streets to be under the authority of the local governing
body, decisions regarding stormwater management in the construction of streets
are deferred to the locality. However, stormwater management, including the
construction of detention or retention facilities, or both, is recognized as an
available design alternative or BMP for water quantity, quality, or both. Where
the developer is required by regulations promulgated by an agency or
governmental subdivision other than the department or the developer chooses to
use stormwater management facilities in the design of a subdivision or other
development, the governing body shall, by formal agreement, and as a
prerequisite for the transfer of jurisdiction over the street to the
department, acknowledge that the department is not responsible for the
operation, maintenance, retrofitting, or liability of the stormwater management
facility or facilities associated with the subdivision or the development. Any
retrofits required to comply with a TMDL WLA will be the responsibility of the
locality. However, in the event the governing body has executed a
comprehensive, localitywide agreement with the department addressing these
matters, a specific agreement addressing stormwater management controls in the
subdivision or development will not be required as a condition for street
acceptance.
Stormwater management controls for VDOT projects are to be
designed in accordance with the approved VDOT Erosion and Sediment Control and
Stormwater Management Program Standards and Specifications, 2010, as annually
approved by the State Water Control Board, the Erosion and Sediment Control
Regulations (9VAC25-840), and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)
Permit Regulation (9VAC25-870), and, if applicable, VDOT's MS4 Program Plan,
2008. While these controls may be necessary whenever a street maintained by the
department is widened or relocated, the department does not require them in the
development of new streets because such activity is regulated by the local
governments. However, developers and counties may find these controls useful in
managing land development activity.
Generally devices and treatments intended to mitigate the
impact of stormwater shall be placed off of the right-of-way and shall be
designed to prevent the backup of water against the roadbed. However, such
devices and treatments may be placed within the right-of-way if the department
and the local governing body have executed an agreement that (i) acknowledges
the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the
devices or treatments, or both; (ii) assures the burden and costs of
inspection, maintenance, VSMP permit requirements, TMDL WLA requirements,
retrofitting or other future improvements to the devices and treatments, or
other costs related to the placement of such devices or treatments within the
right-of-way are provided from sources other than those administered by the
department; (iii) a professional engineer licensed by the Commonwealth or the
manufacturer as required by the department, certifies the construction of the
facility to plans reviewed by the department; and (iv) design requirements of
the facility are included in the department's Drainage Manual, 2002, the
Department of Conservation and Recreation's Stormwater Management Handbook,
First Edition, 1999, or supplemental directives.
Where development activity results in increased runoff to
the extent that adjustment of an outfall facility is required, such adjustment
shall be at the developer's expense and shall be contained within an
appropriate easement.
The department is required to implement the Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit for facilities located on its
right-of-way. To comply with these requirements, the local governing body shall
provide to the district administrator's designee all aspects of a proposed
development's storm sewer system and associated stormwater management plan that
are pertinent to the locality's or the department's MS4 permit. Additionally,
the local governing body shall provide to the district administrator's designee
an inventory of all outfalls to waters of the United States, physical
interconnections with other stormwater systems, stormwater management devices,
or both related to the project that are located within VDOT right-of-way as a
condition of street acceptance in accordance with the VDOT MS4 Stormwater
Outfall Inventory Manual, 2011. VDOT shall not accept a street for maintenance
as part of the secondary system of state highways that are not in compliance
with conditions of the pertinent MS4 permit and VDOT's MS4 Program Plan, 2008,
as such conditions existed at the time of the relevant street construction
plan's approval. VDOT shall not accept a street for maintenance if there is an
illicit discharge to the system, as defined by
9VAC25-870-10 until the illicit
discharge is eliminated.
3.
Drainage easements.
a. An acceptable easement
shall be provided from all drainage outfalls to a natural watercourse, as
opposed to a swale.
b. The
department normally accepts and maintains only that portion of a drainage
system that falls within the limits of the dedicated right-of-way for a street.
The department's responsibility to enter drainage easements outside of the
dedicated right-of-way shall be limited to undertaking corrective measures to
alleviate problems that may adversely affect the safe operation or integrity of
the roadway.
c. In the event
drainage to a natural watercourse is not accomplished or is interrupted, an
acceptable agreement from the governing body may be considered as an
alternative to providing an easement to a natural watercourse, provided the
agreement acknowledges that the department is neither responsible nor liable
for drainage from the roadway.
M. Other design considerations.
1. Guardrail. Guardrail shall be used when
required by the district administrator's designee, consistent with the Road
Design Manual, 2011. For placement considerations, see the Subdivision Street
Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).
2. Landscaping and erosion control. All
disturbed areas within the dedicated right-of-way and easements of any street
shall be restored with vegetation compatible with the surrounding area. Where
there is visual evidence of erosion or siltation, acceptance of the street as
part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department
will be postponed until appropriate protective measures, in accordance with
VDOT's construction practices, are taken. Except as otherwise approved by the
district administrator's designee, planting of trees or shrubs on the
right-of-way shall be in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)
and its Appendix B (1) (the Subdivision Street Design Guide).
3. Lighting. Roadway, security, or pedestrian
lighting, when required by the governing body or desired by the developer,
shall be installed in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and
its Appendix B (1) (the Subdivision Street Design Guide). However, VDOT shall
not be responsible for the maintenance or replacement of lighting fixtures or
the provision of power for lighting.
4. Railroad crossings.
a. Short-arm gates with flashing signals,
flashing signals alone, or other protective devices as deemed appropriate by
the department shall be provided at any at-grade crossing of an active railroad
by a street.
b. Crossings of
railroad right-of-way are subject to the requirements of the railroad. Streets
to be accepted by the department for maintenance as part of the secondary
system of state highways that cross railroad right-of-way will only be
considered if the protective measures outlined under this section have been
fully installed and an agreement between the railroad, the developer, and the
local governing body has been executed. Prior to execution, such agreements
shall be presented to the department for consideration in consultation with the
Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
5. Utilities. Local governments, the
development community, and the utility community are encouraged to coordinate
and consolidate their interests as part of the initial development plan.
a. Underground utilities. The department
allows the placement of underground utilities within the dedicated right-of-way
of streets, but normally restricts placement to areas outside of the travel
lanes. However, if the governing body has established adequate requirements
approved by the department for the design, location, and construction of
underground utilities within the right-of-way of streets, including provisions
that ensure that adequate testing and inspection is performed to minimize
future settlement, those requirements shall become the department's
requirements and govern provided those requirements exceed the department's
requirements.
Manholes shall not be placed in sidewalk, multiuse trail, or
shared use path facilities, within five feet of curb ramps or within driveway
entrances.
When location of the utilities outside of the pavement area
is not practical such as in high density developments incorporating the
principles of new urbanism as described in § 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of
Virginia, such installations:
(1) Are
acceptable within the shoulders along the street or within the parking
area.
(2) May be acceptable beneath
the travel lanes of the street or alley when provisions are made to ensure
adequate inspection and compaction tests and:
(a) Longitudinal installations and manholes
are located outside of the normal travel lanes; or
(b) Longitudinal installations and manholes
are placed in the center of a travel lane out of the wheel path.
b. Open-cutting of
hard-surfaced roadways. The department usually prohibits the open-cutting of
hard-surfaced roads except in extenuating circumstances. Therefore, all
underground utilities within the right-of-way, as determined necessary by good
engineering practice to serve the complete development of adjacent properties,
shall be installed during the street's initial construction and prior to the
application of its final pavement surface course. This shall include extensions
of all necessary cross-street connections or service lines to an appropriate
location beyond the pavement and preferably the right-of-way line.
In the event it is necessary to open the street pavement to
work on utilities after the surface has been placed, additional compaction
tests and paving as necessary to restore the integrity and appearance of the
roadway may be required at the discretion of the district administrator's
designee.
c. Cross-street
conduits. To facilitate the placement of future underground utilities,
cross-street conduits are encouraged, with placement of such conduits occurring
on each street at intersections.
d.
Aboveground utilities. All aboveground utilities shall be installed behind the
sidewalk or as close as possible to the limits of the street's right-of-way but
shall not encroach on the sidewalk, the shared use path, or any clear zone.
To assure the unencumbered dedication of the right-of-way
for street additions, easements or other interests within the platted
right-of-way shall be quitclaimed of any prior rights therein. In exchange, a
permit may be issued by the department for a utility to occupy the area
involved. This permit will be processed by the district administrator's
designee upon acceptance of the street into the secondary system of state
highways maintained by the department. No fee is required for permits so
issued. However, the approval of the permit shall be contingent upon the
utility's compliance with applicable provisions of the Land Use Permit
Regulations (24VAC30-151).