City Council intends to discuss changing the 29 & Hydraulic intersection to a grade-separated interchange at an August 5th hearing, WINA reports. SELC has long been a proponent of a change of this nature at this and other major intersections, since it could smooth the flow of traffic along Route 29 and help reduce the demand for a bypass.
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Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Just a note of reference:
The City rejected the Hydraulic grade-separated interchange in May 1995, citing their concern that City businesses might be damaged. Recently, the MPO has suggested that the City consider a modified, damaged-limiting design for this interchange [here as a PDF file]. A previous cvillenews.com discussion about the interchange(s) is here.
Since 1/4 of that intersection (the NNW quadrant – AKA the 7-Eleven Corner) is in the County, doesn’t the County Board have to agree with any road plans there? I’m not sure this is merely a city issue.
Nope. This is not just a city issue. But they have to appear (at least somewhat) united in their position on the interchange before they send their MPO Reps (Richards and Lynch) back to the MPO board so they can bring it up for discussion and possible vote there. Given all that the county wants to do to make sure the bypass is not build, it is very likely they’ll agree to the city’s proposal.
Indie writes: Given all that the county wants to do to make sure the bypass is not build, it is very likely they’ll agree to the city’s proposal.
Well, I think we’ll have to wait and see what the City’s proposal really is.
Does anyone have a clue where Schilling (or Cox) stands on this?
Schilling replaced Toscano who in 1995 said he hoped discussion of this grade-separated interchange at Hydraulic was dead — forever.
Rt 29 is already a Fairfaxian vision of strip mall heaven. How could an at-grade interchange make it any uglier? It’s not like Monticello sits on the northwest corner of the intersection.
PD
PorscheDude writes: How could an at-grade interchange make it any uglier?
I don’t think anyone — meaning decision makeers — is talking about aesthetics here. I think it is all about function. Will a grade-separated (not "at-grade", as you write, and which it is currently) interchange there, and of which design, work to improve traffic flow? And at what cost to whom?
At least that’s the terms of debate in that which is ultimately a political contest.
If this new interchange is built, then there will be added data to suggest two more to the North might do the trick. The construction of the first, and then perhaps the latter two, has serious repercussions for the MCP and Western Bypass.
Your point is both well-made and well-taken. I have only lived here a year and I defer to your knowledge of local issues, especially political ones. My perspective on local political issues is a tempered, slow-growth one. I was lifelong resident of NoVa, and I can’t see Fairfax as a good role model for Cville.
Rt 29 creates a very charmless impression of an otherwise excellent Charlottesville on drivers transiting the area. I live in the southeast side of Cville; when I have people come down from DC to visit, I direct them to hang a left on Profitt and come in Rt 20. Free Bridge is no garden spot, but it’s better than the 29 image.
PD