1984-05-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr'.~..Don Wagner and Mr. Ken Lantz attended the work session representing the Highway Department. Mr. Wagner stated that the Highway Department's long-range funding projections showed the projects ten to twenty years from implementation. Mr. Lantz reported on the Route 29 North situation, and stated that Albemarle County was strongly opposed to a study of a western bypass and would only agree to a bypass if it did not pass through neighborhoods, historic landmarks or the watershed area. Mr. Lantz stated that traffic volumes on 29 North were exceeding projections with 25,000 vehicles per day on 29 north of the Rivanna River and 48,000 at Fashion Square Mall. Mr. Lantz said that State Highway projections showed that 20,000 25,00'0 vehicles per day would utilize a western bypass which could be made up mostly from existing roads, where an eastern bypass would be made where roads are non- existent'for the most part. Dr. Gunter indicated that she felt all areas should at least be studied because if studies concluded that an eastern bypass would not alleviate the problem, some other solution must be found. Dr. Gunter stressed that s'he felt the linking of an eastern bypass with Route ~250 east was important, and not the connection of the bypass and Mclntire Road Extended. Mr. Wagner stated that no road would be built without the locality's approval. Mrs. Wayne Harbaugh, Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District, stated that different ways of accommodating the traffic on 29 North may need to be investigated further. On a question from Mrs. Gleason concerning the possib, le funds available for rapid transit, Mr. Lantz replied that available funds would likely be for bus improvements only. Dr. Gunter summarized what she understood to be Council's direction which included: 1) approval of continued study of the eastern route with emphasis on the connection with Rio Road, 2) major concern for alleviating the problem on Route 29 with the emphasis on'the impact of an eastern bypass on the City, 3) affirmation that the City is interested in exploring all areas, and 4) that access be provided to the City without Mclntire Road Extended becoming a bypass, bisecting the City. Dr. Gunter added that while she felt the County's concerns about the watershed were valid, they should be realistically studied. A discussion on highway concerns and priorities within the City was held. Mr. Wagner pointed out that the State was unwilling to build a two-lane bridge on Ridge Street as Council had requested, but would built a four-lane bridge which the City could then mark and use as a two-lane bridge. It was agreed that the Planning Commission would make recommendations to Council concerning the Ridge Street Bridge.