The Virginia Department of  Transportation is conducting a study after safety concerns have been expressed about Rt. 41. Brenda Bowman spoke in representation of over 50 businesses located on the commercial corridor of Rt. 41 and Franklin Turnpike at the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors meeting this week.

Bowman asked for support of a study to consider a traffic signal on the commercial corridor of Franklin Turnpike in the Mt. Hermon district. She said the request stems from a fatal traffic accident that occurred in front of Tuscarora Village on January 21 that killed a 66-year-old woman and injured a 17-year-old girl.

Bowman also stated that two other accidents occurred in the same vicinity within a few hours that afternoon.

During her speech Bowman noted that there are about 2,050 households within three miles of the shopping center and noted that there were 600 traffic accidents from January 2018 to August of 2021 between Orphanage Road and the Mt. Hermon commercial corridor.

VDOT’s study on Rt. 41 will take about 14 months to complete, according to the Chatham Star-Tribune. The study will determine if traffic lights are needed in the area and what else can be done to make the area safer if the study finds that traffic lights aren’t required.