During the recent Board of Supervisors meeting in Goochland County, Virginia, discussions centered on traffic safety and infrastructure improvements, particularly concerning the intersection at Rockville and Ashland Road. The meeting highlighted the findings of a traffic study that revealed significant delays for left-turning vehicles, which currently experience a level of service rated as "F" during peak hours. This rating indicates that while the delays are substantial, there are not enough vehicles to warrant the installation of a traffic light, suggesting that conditions may need to worsen before any traffic signal can be justified.

The study, conducted in 2015, recommended limiting left turns from Rockville onto Ashland Road and installing a traffic light at Plaza. However, this proposal faced strong community opposition during initial discussions, reflecting local concerns about traffic management and safety.

Safety was a key focus of the meeting, with officials noting that the area has historically been problematic. Plans for improvements include widening the road and creating a safer recovery zone free of trees, which aims to enhance visibility and reduce accidents. The county is committed to implementing all recommendations from a recent Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) safety study, which extends beyond Goochland County to address broader traffic safety issues.

As the county moves forward with these plans, officials emphasized the importance of data-driven decisions in traffic engineering, acknowledging the community's concerns while also addressing the need for safety improvements. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges of balancing community feedback with technical assessments in traffic management.