Press Release: RVARC Invites Public Input for 2045 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan (Rural LRTP)

Greater Roanoke and Alleghany Region —The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) is inviting residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to help shape the region’s transportation future by participating in public outreach for the 2045 RVARC Rural Long Range Transportation Plan (Rural LRTP).

The Rural LRTP will guide transportation priorities and strategies through the year 2045 for the rural areas and communities served by RVARC, including Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, and Franklin Counties; the City of Covington; and the Towns of Clifton Forge, Fincastle, New Castle, and Rocky Mount.

The 2045 Rural LRTP will help identify transportation needs and potential solutions that improve safety, support a state of good repair for existing infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity, and expand access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services. The planning process will consider roadway and bridge conditions, traffic operations and safety improvements, freight and goods movement, transit and human services transportation, and opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian connections where appropriate—reflecting the unique travel patterns and constraints in rural Virginia.

“Local knowledge is essential to this planning process,” said RVARC Director of Transportation, Chris Robertson. “We want to hear from the people who travel these roads every day—about what’s working, what isn’t, and where improvements are most needed.”

The public survey will be available from April 1 through April 30, 2026. Community members can also submit comments through the same website.

To participate online: https://engage.rvarc.org/2045-rlrtp

Prefer to Participate in Person? Community members who prefer to complete a paper survey can find copies:

• Through the local planning department staff in the region
• At select public libraries
• At the RVARC office: 313 Luck Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016

Assistance / Accommodations:

If anyone needs assistance in completing the survey or additional accommodations, please contact RVARC staff at 540-343-4417 or email astinnette@rvarc.org.

What RVARC Wants to Hear

Public feedback will help identify and prioritize needs such as:

• Safety concerns (high-crash locations, speeding, intersection issues, sight distance)
• Roadway and bridge maintenance needs
• Freight and truck route needs that support local employers and regional commerce
• Transit and mobility options for older adults, people with disabilities, and households without reliable vehicles
• Walking and bicycling connections near town centers, schools, parks, and key destinations
• Resilience needs (flooding, slides, winter weather impacts, detours)

Please consider participating in the project. RVARC looks forward to supporting your community transportation needs.

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The Regional Commission is a leader in driving collaboration and strategy within our communities on issues that are critical to the economic growth, quality of life, and sustainability of this region.

The RVARC, one of 21 planning agencies in the Commonwealth, has served member governments, businesses and residents since 1969. Member governments include the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke, cities of Covington, Roanoke and Salem, and towns of Clifton Forge, Rocky Mount and Vinton.