ABINGDON, Va. – The new Johnston Memorial Hospital is still under construction, but medical-related development has already begun around the site on U.S. Highway 11.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors gave approval Tuesday for the latest project, a relocation of the Abingdon Ambulance Service facility to a site beside the new hospital.
It’s part of a larger project the board approved in August, in which local developer Clifton-Stewart is to build pediatric offices, other professional offices and the ambulance service facility beside the new hospital.
Zoning and Subdivision Official Cathie Freeman said the project approved Tuesday simply adds another piece of property and moves the ambulance from the middle of the building to the end.
Kevin Austin, administrator for Abingdon Ambulance Service, said adding the adjacent parcel is an improvement on the original plan.
Austin said the ambulance service, now in the Campus health care development at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. Highway 19, is moving to get closer to the hospital.
Asked about other projects, Austin said he couldn’t comment on what might be coming down the pike. But, he said, “There are several medical-related developments in the plans.”
The $132 million new hospital facility, which is being built by a much larger construction company, is scheduled to open next year.
Also at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, there was a lot of discussion but no immediate solution to a dangerous railroad crossing at the intersection of Old Trail Road and Hillman Highway in Washington County.
Two county residents, Gerald Thompson and Clyde Anderson, spoke about the hazard they face daily at the crossing.
“This is an example Saturday: We were rolling hay on the top of the hill, wife coming out, daughter-in-law riding with her. … I hear the train coming,” said Anderson, who years ago lost a Plymouth Duster to a train after it stalled on the tracks.
“When she’s coming out, her and the train’s going to be there at the same time, I stop the tractor, jump off, run and stop her: train’s coming. That’s common, happens all the time…” he said. “It shouldn’t be that way.”
Georgia Lewis, manager of grade crossing safety for Norfolk Southern, said the crossing, which leads into a neighborhood, is still considered a private crossing, and therefore maintenance is the responsibility of the landowners.
She said the cost of installing a signalized warning system would likely range between $150,000 and $600,000.
Board Chairwoman Dulcie Mumpower said efforts will be made on the state and federal levels to seek funding to install a signal system at the crossing.
dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701
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