Del. Mark L. Cole, representing parts of Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fauquier counties, tells this story in a recent General Assembly update:
I recently ran into a situation that kind of highlights the need for reform in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). A neighborhood in my district wanted to get no through truck restrictions on their neighborhood streets in place. Keep in mind that this is a subdivision neighborhood and not a major highway or street. They went through the process of getting petitions signed, getting approval of the county Board of Supervisors, and the regional VDOT office. However, the signs still have not been posted and the restriction is not in place.
When I asked VDOT what the hold-up was they said that the request had been sent to the Commissioner of VDOT in Richmond for final approval. Why does the Commissioner need to approve a restriction on a neighborhood street? What value or insight can he provide for a neighborhood that he has probably never even seen? This is just a small example of the bureaucratic nature of VDOT and why they tend to be inefficient and slow in getting things done.
Good question: Why does approval for a neighborhood sign need to be approved by the VDOT commissioner?
Follow-up question: What important issues are not being considered as a result of the commissioner being inundated with this level of detail?