FULKS RUN, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Rockingham County officials broke ground on the county’s newest fire station in Fulks Run Monday morning.

The station will be located next to the Fulks Run Ruritans Club, with construction slated to begin in the coming weeks. It will allow fire and rescue teams to respond quicker to incidents in the county’s westernmost region.

Rockingham County Fire Chief Jeremy Holloway says that’s a crucial need in the area, especially with more frequent crashes on Route 259.

“Route 259 is a dangerous highway for us,” Holloway said. “We run several accidents throughout the year. Unfortunately, it’s just, you know, it’s got some bad turns and curves and it’s a lot of traffic on this road traveling from West Virginia into Virginia.”

Holloway added that having first responders closer to residents would be a major benefit to the community.

“More importantly, being able to put an ambulance on scene in this immediate area within ten minutes is just, it’s a good thing for the citizens and we’re very proud to be able to do it,” Holloway said.

The station is expected to be up and running by spring of 2025.