Supervisors Breathe New Life into Route 29 Bypass Plan

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Updated: 9:04 AM Jun 10, 2011 Supervisors Breathe New Life into Route 29 Bypass Plan The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted 4-2 late Wednesday night to curtail its opposition to the Route 29 Western Bypass project. Posted: 4:47 PM Jun 9, 2011 Reporter: Chris Stover Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com

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June 9, 2011

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted 4-2 late Wednesday night to curtail its opposition to the Route 29 Western Bypass project.

If constructed, the six-mile road would take drivers around the commercial corridor of Route 29, from the South Fork of the Rivanna Reservoir to the Route 250 Bypass. However, not everyone in attendance at Wednesday's meeting is in favor.

Morgan Butler, Director of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Charlottesville/Albemarle Project, claims the public had no say in the decision, which he says was not on the Board's agenda, and believes the project is a waste of local resources.

"There are much more cost effective projects available to reduce congestion on Route 29," he argued. "To put this amount of taxpayer money into an outdated project that will hardly have any impact on Route 29 cannot be justified."

Supporters of the $270 million project say it would allow for easier travel to southern areas like Lynchburg and Danville.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Brandon on Jul 28, 2011 at 12:10 PM

The county would offer the land back probably at the same price sold and if the offer wasn't accepted by the previous homeowner the property would go to auction. Granted the auction would more than likely bring less money for these properties, the money would be re-absorbed back into the county.

Posted by: Linda Location: NE of Charlottesville on Jun 14, 2011 at 03:41 PM

I think it is time we hear from the majority of the citizens of CHO. I for one am tired of sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on Rt. 29. Most of the traffic may be local but that doesn't mean we won't use the new bypass. We want something done. We are tired of a few with deep pockets and legal know-how stalling this project. There are many cars on Rt. 29 that commute into Charlottesville every day from Greene and Madison Counties as well as northern Albemarle County. Don't tell me these commuters won't use the bypass. I live NE of town and you can bet I will use it to get to the University where I work. Wake up and realize we need to move forward with this. Our supervisors continue to allow the building of shopping centers which will create more traffic. Why won't they approve the western bypass? Ask Dennis Rooker who lives in the path of the western bypass. He has held this project up long enough. Let's move forward for the benefit of the majority.

Posted by: Milton Moore Location: Charlottesville on Jun 10, 2011 at 03:08 PM

This is not a "bypass" in any sense of the word. It is a 6 mile road through 7 neighborhoods taking 41 homes and many acres of Albemarle High School property. It does not alleviate the 90% of traffic traveling on Rte 29. The cost has risen from $44 million to approximately $300 million today. We need a true bypass similar to those in Lynchburg and Danville, only longer due to the size of our community. They take no homes and actually go around those towns. You who urge that this "bypass" be built know little about the history. Search the internet for "Catco Green Book" so that you may know something of which you speak.

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