The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has granted Hanover County’s request to restrict truck traffic on five roads near the future Wegmans distribution center.

Through-truck restrictions will be placed on the following roads: Atlee Station Road (Rt. 637); Atlee Road (Rt. 638); New Ashcake Road (Rt. 643); Ashcake Road (Rt. 657); and Peaks Road (Rt. 657).

The restrictions do not apply to pickup or panel trucks or any trucks (such as, for example, a truck being used by movers) with an origin or destination along the restricted routes.

Trucks serving the future Wegmans project will have to use Sliding Hill Road.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously made the request in May 2020. The County argued that the lane width and geometry of the roads are unsafe for large trucks, raising the risk of crashes between passenger vehicles and large trucks.  The roads are predominately residential in nature and serve residential traffic.

VDOT had to perform a study to determine if the requested restriction was appropriate.

Board Chair Angela Kelly-Wiecek of the Chickahominy District credited the “exceptional and thoughtful participation by stakeholders” including citizens with influencing VDOT’s decision.

Ashland District Supervisor Faye Prichard agreed, saying that “there is no way this would have happened without the citizens…This is a win for us primarily because of the citizens.”

VDOT staff is working to implement the restriction, which requires development and posting of signs.   They are currently estimating the final implementation will take place by the end of July or early August 2022 depending on the ability to make and post approximately 35 signs identifying the restriction.