NBC29Improvements Coming to Earlysville Roads

Improvements Coming to Earlysville Roads

A string of car accidents in Earlysville is concerning the Albemarle County Police Department. Officers said drivers are going too fast and those living in the area said many drivers don't see the stop sign at the intersection of Reas Ford Road and Earlysville Road.

Maureen Chandler lives in Earlysville and said she's almost been hit twice along Earlysville Road. "I think the only thing that really saved my life was turning into Earlysville Forest Drive because if I had been going straight I probably would have gotten hit," she stated.

There were eight accidents along Earlysville Road in September. Three were at the intersection with Reas Ford Road. The speed limit along most of Earlysville Road is 45 miles per hour but it drops to 35 through town.

In one day, Albemarle County Police wrote 19 tickets, nine for speeding. Sergeant Peter Mainzer said the average speed of those drivers was 50 miles per hour.

"We certainly share some concern for safety for that particular intersection with the residents and shop owners here in Earlysville," said Sergeant Mainzer of the Albemarle County Police Department.

Albemarle County Police are stepping up enforcement and the Virginia Department of Transportation will be making the stop sign at Reas Ford Road more clear to drivers.

"They're going to be installing some larger warning signs on the Reas Ford Road approach to the intersection. Additionally, they're going to be applying some raised paint to the pavement that will act as a warning to motorists," Mainzer stated.

Within the next 4 to 6 weeks, VDOT will be making those improvements to Reas Ford Road and Earlysville Road.

Reported by Jennifer Von Reuter
See Bio / Email