News Flash

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (February 27, 2017) – To address the safety of motorists and pedestrians at the McAfee Knob parking lot on Route 311/Catawba Valley Road, the Virginia Department of Transportation in cooperation with Roanoke County Police have added additional No Parking Zones and have scheduled other enhancements to the area.

Additional signs have been installed this week noting "No Parking", "Tow Away Zones" and arrows pointing out the prohibited areas. In addition, VDOT will be adding “Hiker Crossing” road signs and additional rumble strips in the road this spring to help calm traffic near this crossing.

Please see the attached map of the area that outlines the new No Parking Zones.

The Police department’s goal is to improve safety in the area, but if vehicles are parked in a prohibited area they will be subject to ticketing and towing. Illegal parking in the area makes travel dangerous not only for vehicle traffic but also for pedestrians as the line of sight is limited along the road. In addition, any vehicle parked on or over the white shoulder line is subject to the same enforcement.

Roanoke County Police advise hikers traveling in groups to carpool to the area, and would like to remind drivers that a Park & Ride lot is located at the end of Catawba Valley Road in front of the Orange Market. Additionally, there is another parking lot further down Catawba Valley Road at the Dragon's Tooth Trail location.