Eastern Avenue inching forward

Baby steps. Maybe?

My opinion: a car/truck-only road will be a generational failure.

From Charlottesville Community Engagement

Albemarle County puts Eastern Avenue project out to bid

One of the dilemmas faced by Albemarle County is a growing population and limited transportation funding to build all of the infrastructure called for in growth area policies.

One of the key components of the Crozet Master Plan is a roadway called Eastern Avenue which is intended to serve as another way for people to travel north and south. Cost estimates increased sharply in the summer of 2023, pushing ahead the timeline for the project.

Last year, Supervisors agreed to let county staff pursue the project through a public private partnership which might have the effect of bringing down the cost to the local government. A draft version of the request for proposals was distributed in April and was officially put out for bid on May 30.

“The purpose of the Project is to provide a connection between residential areas on the north side of Lickinghole Creek and Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike),” reads the purpose statement in the RFP. “This connection will supersede the approximately 5.5-mile detour currently required for residents to cross Lickinghole Creek and reach Route 250 which is a key minor arterial linking to shopping centers, schools, and providing interstate access.”

Under the terms of the draft comprehensive agreement, Albemarle County’s maximum contribution to the project will be $16 million.

• Request for proposals
• Technical requirements (Volume II)
• Draft Comprehensive Agreement
• Questions and Answers from the draft comment period

There are twenty questions answered in a document posted with the RFP.

“In general, there seem to be additional plans and public relations that are likely not necessary,” reads question #3. “This is a road, just like any other that gets constructed in the county.” (Jim’s note: bolding is mine)

Also from Jim – if this is treated like, and executed like, “any other that gets constructed in the county,” we as a community will be failing current and future generations.

“The unique nature of an Alternative Delivery Project through the PPTA and the Code of Virginia (COV) requires the submittal, review, and adoption of the plans stipulated in the Technical Requirements,” reads the response. “In short, many of these plans are necessary and provide appropriate assurances to both the County and Offeror of successful delivery of the project.”

Other questions related to right of way acquisition, a request to add language calling for a wildlife corridor, and a request to delete a reference in the documents to toll gantries.

For some reason, the story about the draft version was not posted to Information Charlottesville. Here’s a link to the May 8 edition of the newsletter.