I’ll reiterate my plea for a generationally-shaping bridge rather than merely a bridge to move cars and trucks. “Plant trees the shade of which you’ll never enjoy.”
Building a bridge that connects 250 to 240 without providing protected bike lanes (paint is neither protection nor infrastructure) and functional sidewalks will be a failure to seize the opportunity.
Imagine, if you will, if the Eastern Connector bridge became a sign of Crozet’s future. Protected bike lanes for the entirety of Eastern Avenue, grade-separated sidewalks, a thoughtful way to show that Crozet is looking to the future, building things for our kids’ kids rather than for ourselves.
If you’re not going to do it right the first time, don’t do it.
From Albemarle County’s press release:
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – Albemarle County has released a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for public comments or questions. A Final RFP will be issued to seek qualified firms to provide professional engineering services for the design and construction of the Eastern Avenue Extension in Crozet. This project will extend Eastern Avenue from Westhall Drive to Cory Farm Road and ultimately U.S. Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and includes a future bridge crossing over Lickinghole Creek.
Eastern Avenue Extension is a long-planned improvement that supports the County’s goal of a connected transportation network in the Crozet area. Once completed, it will offer drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians an additional north-south travel option, easing congestion along Crozet Avenue and improving access for residents, businesses, and public safety vehicles.
“This project is a key part of the County’s vision for transportation in Crozet,” said Jeff Dumars, Director of Facilities and Environmental Services. “We’re excited to move into the design phase and begin laying the groundwork for infrastructure that will serve the community for decades to come.”
The final project will be delivered through a public-private partnership under Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA). By aligning public and private investments, the County can reduce overall costs, accelerate delivery, and more efficiently complete a critical segment of the Crozet transportation network. The goal of the PPTA guidelines is to specify a process that is consistent, transparent, and stable, and encourages and supports a climate for private sector innovation and investment to address the specific transportation needs of the Commonwealth and localities.
The selected firm will prepare design and construction documents, coordinate necessary environmental and geotechnical studies, and assist with community engagement efforts.
Interested firms can view and respond to the RFP here. To learn more about Eastern Avenue Extension, visit the project webpage.
Thank you for this. Well said, and in line with Albemarle County mission statement:
“Albemarle County envisions a community with the following, for present and future generations.
Abundant natural, rural, historic, and scenic resources
Healthy ecosystems
Active and vibrant development areas
A physical environment that supports healthy lifestyles….”
“Supports a healthy lifestyle” Maybe for the rich. Another tax increase
that is the real story yet untold…
Bikes and walking are inexpensive. Well … bikes *can* be inexpensive. Certainly less expensive than a car payment.
So are you saying that we should downgrade our lives to bikes and walking. Again, cities await you that already have what you want. Tearing up Crozet even more will only encourage more to come further degrading the community. Interesting there is still no mention of the tax hike…
Tell me more about how walking or riding bicycles is a downgrade.
We evolved from walking on land to riding animals to wagons then trains then bikes and finally motor vehicles. This evolution was a milestone since it changed our lives forever and opened up the Country. Source: History of the world volume 3.
Giving up motor vehicles would be a downgrade. An example, an average person working in Waynesboro or Charlottesville would not be riding a bike to work nor would the vast majority of people from rural/semi-rural areas. You cannot get students from OT to ride bikes to the schools. If you are truly serious about this, you have moved to the wrong place. Bikes are far more suited for City living. I suggest moving to Charlottesville which is far more bike friendly. You will also find tons of green scooters and e-bikes there literally lying in the road and on sidewalks. Yep, they are a real mature bunch…
No one is saying to give up cars. Give people the option and the infrastructure to ride or walk and feel safe doing so. For many people, trips under 3-5 miles are easily done on bikes, e-bikes, or on foot, but the infrastructure is not there to allow them to feel safe in doing so.
I’ve used the scooters and bikes in Charlottesville, and elsewhere, and they are amazing for short trips.
Heck, I raced a woman from the Wegmans light to Mcintire/West Main one day, and she ultimately beat me on west main. She was on scooter, I was in car.
The simple truth is that people already have that option. They have the right to use any public road. The majority of the people that live in semi rural areas have no interest in walking or biking 3-5 miles on any day. You are using urban stats to create a narrative. Long before you arrivedpeople were waking and biking these roads. Every time I lost my drivers license I was one of them. Safety is just a word and when used as part of a narrative loses its original meaning. Why move somewhere that you do not feel “safe” I am in the UVA area at least 5 days a week. Thje green scooters and bikes are a serious nusiance. You are not allowed to dump your car in the road or block a sidewalk.with it. It is a mess that needs more regulation. Paris solved their rental scooter problem by banning them.. With all the existing more urgent problems this area faces it is simple a waste of money to cater to the few that are not happy. What you want already exists 20 miles down the road. Smarter drivers would be a far better solution…