Officials in Nelson County, Virginia are looking for a better way to warn truck drivers about a tricky stretch of road that has already claimed seven trucks in 2021 alone.
The road in question – Reeds Gap Road, also known as route 664 – has a serious, tight curve that leaves many big rigs stranded, wreaking havoc for both the truck driver and any other vehicles, emergency or otherwise, looking to get through.
Please avoid Reeds Gap. There is a Tractor Trailer stuck and our crews are trying to maneuver around it to respond to a medical call. UPDATE: open at 9:34PM
Posted by Wintergreen Fire & Rescue on Friday, January 15, 2021
Although the Virginia Department of Transportation installed signs warning drivers of the danger and the shortcomings of their GPS devices six months ago, authorities say that the signage just isn’t enough, and something more drastic has to be done for the good of residents, emergency responders, and truck drivers.
For example, just last week, an ambulance responding to a patient for Wintergreen Fire & Rescue had to turn around on their way to the call due to a stuck semi truck blocking the roadway.
What does this photo really show? This is a public safety risk because a primary route to the hospital is…
Posted by Wintergreen Fire & Rescue on Monday, January 4, 2021
“Our delay on that response was approximately 20 minutes, fortunately, that patient had a favorable outcome,” Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets said.
“I don’t think that the information was necessarily getting passed back and forth about how common this was happening, that’s when we started posting it on our Facebook page. We kind of became a clearing house, and it has gotten the attention that it needed to get and the and the resolution is forthcoming,” Sheets said to Shenandoah Valley News.
Reid’s Gap is Closed UPDATE: Road Open ***** All, We have been contacted by the Nelson and Augusta County Boards of…
Posted by Wintergreen Fire & Rescue on Wednesday, January 13, 2021
“Personally the first step I would like to see is more aggressive signage that uses words like prohibited would like to see some flashing lights on signs,” said David Parr, the West District Supervisor in Nelson County, who also pointed out that the decision to upgrade the signage is ultimately up to VDOT.
“VDOT admits there’s a problem and is working on a new solution. There are a number of solutions including restricting the size of the vehicle that actually can use that route,” Paula Jones, a VDOT spokesperson, said to ABC 13 News.
Thanks to Patrick Huddleston from NBC29 for making the trip up to see us today. All of the appropriate partners from…
Posted by Wintergreen Fire & Rescue on Thursday, January 14, 2021
As of January 20th, there were no official plans to upgrade the signage on Reeds Gap Road.