Western Bypass
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Planned
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Project Overview
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To provide a bypass for Route 29 through traffic around the Charlottesville metropolitan area. The bypass also provides a direct connection from U.S. 29 north to the North Grounds of the University of Virginia.
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| Cost | $270,000,000 | |
| Sponsor | VDOT | |
Status Update
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In June 2011 the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors changed its policy position to support the Western Bypass.[1] The board was previously opposed to the bypass until other road projects were completed (see Three Party Agreement). As of June 2011, the Western Bypass is scheduled for public hearings before the Metropolitan Planning Organization in July 2011. Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton has promised to find funding for the bypass, and the widening of U.S. Route 29 between Polo Grounds Road and Hollymead Town Center, if local opposition to the project is eliminated by the MPO.[2] The current official position of VDOT is that some land for right of way has been acquired, but construction is not planned by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and no funding is provided for construction.[2] The project remains on the VDOT 2025 State Highway Plan as an unprioritized "recommended new roadway". Funding is requested for planning and purchase of Right of Way, but not construction per the FY2009 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). |
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| VDOT Dashboard | VDOT Dashboard Entry | |
| Contact | Lou Hatter, Public Affairs Manager, Culpeper District, VDOT | |
The Western Bypass is a plan for a limited-access road bypassing commercial areas of U.S. Route 29 to the west of Charlottesville.
Route
The Western Bypass is a long-proposed 6.2-mile road to provide a limited access bypass of the commercial area on Route 29. The stated purpose of the project is to provide a bypass for Route 29 through traffic around the Charlottesville metropolitan area. The bypass also provides a direct connection from U.S. 29 north to the North Grounds of the University of Virginia.
Costs and funding
There is no current cost estimate, but members of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors put the estimated price tag at about $270 million. In 2011, Commonwealth Transportation Board member James Rich said he estimated the Western Bypass would cost between $250 million and $300 million.[2] In 2005, the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce estimated the price at $271-280 million. VDOT provided the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors an official estimate of $166 million on March 1, 2006, but in doing so acknowledged the cost model on this project may not be comprehensive.
Funding is requested for planning and purchase of Right of Way, but not construction per the FY2005 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
Status
Much of the land for the bypass has been acquired, but construction is not planned by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and no funding is provided for construction. Project is inactive, but remains on VDOT's 2025 State Highway Plan as an unprioritized "recommended new roadway". However, the U.S. 29 Corridor Study recommends consideration of using some of the right-of-way for an extension of Leonard Sandridge Road[3].
Future of right of way?
Key deadlines are approaching for a determination of the fate of the right of way. In 2007, State Senator Steve Newman of Lynchburg requested an attorney from then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell about whether the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization would be required to pay back the money expended so far on right of way purchase and preliminary design[4]. McDonnell concluded the MPO would have funds for primary roads deducted until the bypass is built.
Officials in both Lynchburg and Danville are demanding that a bypass be planned and constructed[5].
Map
Resources to help develop this article
References
- ↑ Web. [1], Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 9 June 2011, retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Web. No state funding for Western Bypass yet, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 16 June 2011, retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ↑ Tubbs, Sean J. "New VDOT study of U.S. 29 recommends use of Western Bypass route and new elevated connector in City’s Hydraulic Rd area." Web log post. Charlottesville Tomorrow News Center. Charlottesville Tomorrow, 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. <http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2009/09/new_roads_recommendation.html>.
- ↑ McDonnell, Robert. "AG Op. HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES: TRANSPORTATION BOARD, 2007 Va. AG 102 (07-069) HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES: TRANSPORTATION BOARD — ALLOCATION OF HIGHWAY FUNDS — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS." Web. 23 Aug. 2010. <http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/docs/20071004-AG-opinion-on-bypass.pdf>.
- ↑ Web. Charlottesville bypass again being sought, Denice Thibodeau, Danville Register & Bee, December 27, 2010, retrieved December 28, 2010.
- ↑ Wannamaker, Annette. "Data Detail U.S. 29 Options." Daily Progress [Charlottesville] 18 May 1990. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/docs/19900518-US29-Articles.pdf>.
- ↑ Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission of the Virginia General Assembly. Review of the Highway Location Process in Virginia. Rep. Web. <http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/docs/1998-JLARC-Highway-Location-Report.pdf>.
- ↑ Thomas, Sally. "Proposed Route 29 Charlottesville Bypass." Letter to The Honorable Mark Warner. 1 Feb. 2002. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/docs/20020201-BOS-Letter-to-MarkWarner.pdf>.
External Links
- 2001 Factsheet by Southern Environmental Law Center showing map and visualization of southern terminus
- Web. Rt.29 Bypass & the CATCO Green Book, CATCO, CATCO Green Book, retrieved 2010 Jan 12.
- Web. Roads to the Future, Scott M. Kozel, Roads to the Future, retrieved 2009 Oct 2.