Council backs VDOT request to remove limited-access designation on Aberdeen Road to enable redevelopment

The Hampton City Council voted to send a resolution to VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board seeking removal of the limited-access designation on Aberdeen Road between Pembroke Avenue and the Newport News/Hampton line.

Lynn Allsbrook, director of public works, told the council the city completed the traffic impact analysis and an environmental analysis required by VDOT. He said the traffic study found existing capacity sufficient and staff had identified needed geometric improvements and signal timing changes for any new entrance. “One of the requirements is that you do a traffic impact analysis. We have done that,” Allsbrook said. He added the environmental analysis showed no negative impacts.

Allsbrook and staff outlined the required process: submit a letter to the VDOT district administrator, include the resolution of local support, the traffic and environmental analyses, and await VDOT review and recommendation to the chief engineer and the Commonwealth Transportation Board; a public hearing would also be part of the state process. Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the road would be expanded (staff said Aberdeen Road would remain as it is today) and about prior examples where similar limited-access lines were removed to accommodate private development. Council then closed the local public hearing and approved forwarding the resolution to VDOT.