University planning officials recognized for Southgate Interchange Project visualization
University planning officials have been recognized for their role in creating a three-dimensional visualization to help community members understand the $46.7 million Southgate Interchange Project.
The project is multifaceted and involves a new diverging diamond interchange at the intersection at U.S. 460 and Southgate Drive and the relocation of Research Center Drive to allow for the expansion of the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport. This new interchange will eliminate one of the last two at-grade intersections on the Blacksburg Bypass section of U.S. Route 460.
The visualization, which received a 2016 Merit Award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Virginia Chapter, shows viewers what the substantial changes will look like when completed.
Employees from Virginia Tech’s Office of University Planning developed the visual storyboard that served as the basis for the final visualization, which was completed by VDOT and their consultant, Maryland-based engineering and surveying firm A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc.
Above: Westbound Route 460 exit onto northbound Southgate Drive (onto Virginia Tech's campus) to westbound Duck Pond Drive.
Above: Northbound Southgate Drive from the end of the bridge over Route 460 to the Virginia Tech entry sign wall
Above: Northbound Southgate Drive from north of Research Center Drive (near the first Virginia Tech kiosk loop road intersection) to past the Duck Pond Drive roundabout near the Johnson-Miller Track Complex and South Recreational Area Fields
Southbound Southgate Drive (leaving Virginia Tech campus) from Duck Pond Drive roundabout approach (near the Johnson-Miller Track Complex and South Recreational Area Fields) to the westbound Route 460 entry ramp
Above: Northbound Southgate Drive from north of Research Center Drive onto and around the Virginia Tech kiosk loop road
Above: Westbound Research Center Drive from the approach to the roundabout to southbound Southgate Drive
Above: Northbound Southgate Drive from near the Virginia Tech entry wall to eastbound Research Center Drive
The full visualization has been broken down into seven segments based on location and direction of travel, and can be viewed on VDOT’s Southgate Connector website.
In 2015, Virginia Tech was recognized by the same organization for the College Avenue Promenade Project.