An important aspect of the Route 419 re-imagining project is being discussed.

How will people be able to get around the area, and not just in cars?

The Tanglewood Mall area is the busiest road in Roanoke County. Which explains why Wednesday night was one of the most talked about meetings for this project.

Organizers estimate around 100 people attended the meeting to learn about plans and give their input.

“That is a huge part of this whole planning effort and we really want to make sure that the community had a chance to fully understand what we're recommending and why,” project manager Stephen Kearney said.

Part of that is the roads, where experts explained they'd like to do a Diverging Diamond Interchange at the intersection of Routes 220 and 419, similar to Valley View.

“We think replacing those two signals that are four to six phases into two, two-phase signals will improve the operation and flow of that corridor,” transportation expert Mike Rutkowski.

But somewhat surprisingly, the roadways weren't the biggest topics of discussion.

“I like to go walking, especially on the greenways and I'd love to have the opportunity to walk around a community center located here in the Tanglewood area,” said Bill Modica of Salem.

Pamela Hubbard of Roanoke County said: “Walkability and small shops like coffee shops, Trader Joe's, some workout areas.”

Bus availability is also a big part, along with sidewalks and separated bike paths.

But some, like Stephen Grammer, who battles cerebral palsy and lives along 419, also want to make sure the work is ADA compliant.

“It would give me a lot more access,” Grammer said.

Rutkowski says he was asked more about these other topics than about driving the roadway in the meeting.

“Once people understood what we're trying to accomplish, that we're not taking away (lanes), it became more important and more obvious that we're on the right track,” Rutkowski said.

Wednesday was be one of the last meetings.

Kearney says next is presenting a drafted plan to the community in February. Then, after a few months the project could be underway.