August 9, 2026
In 2017 I wrote, “Roundabout Coming to 250 & 240 — Sooner than Expected” May 2024 brought, “240/250 Roundabout – Construction Winter 2024?“
I was researching something else for a client and noted this on VDOT’s page:
Well done, VDOT. Thank you.
Albemarle County Schools start on 12 August.
Looking forward to seeing it work with all the people driving their kids to school.
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Total Time from First Idea to Final Paving: 9 years, 2 months.
Initial (2016-2017):
Albemarle County originally pitched the roundabout in 2016 for state SMART SCALE funding, but got turned down. VDOT shifted gears and secured funds by April 2017.
Public Reveal & COVID Crawl (2019-2024):
The official public design hearing happened in June 2019. Then the inevitable delays: rights-of-way, utility moving delays, and post-COVID price spikes. VDOT eventually had to package it into a big $42 million regional bundle.
Build Phase (2025-2026):
Ground finally broke on May 19, 2025. It took roughly 10 months of actual earth-moving, detour headaches, and barrel cones to complete, with traffic fully opening on March 12, 2026, with punch-out stuff continuing for a few months.
A few photos of 240/250/680
Left Crozet in February 2025.
Glad to hear it is finished.
Roundabout still planned for 250 and Old Trail Drive?
If there is any justice in this world it will not be.
As with most things – hope is not a strategy.
Still
plannedhoped for — still unfunded. The Old Trail/250 roundabout has been pitched for SMART SCALE money for years and never scored high enough to win. The county’s own July 2025 report says it plainly: not funded by the CTB.Albemarle reworked it and lined it up again for Round 7, whose applications closed the first week of August. But the scores won’t even post until 2027, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board won’t lock a funding list until next summer.
Best case — if it finally wins — dirt doesn’t move until 2029 – more hope.
So: a 2-and-1 hybrid with crosswalks, $14.6 million at last count and these things only get pricier, ~12,000 cars a day through there, and a bunch of people going to the schools on foot and wheels – and a fifth trip through the scoring machine. I’ll believe it when I see the barrels.
To spend that much money because of congestion twice a day when school is in session is crazy. Limit school access for private vehicles during peak periods and that might force Muffy to either walk or ride the bus to school. If SMART SCALE money is smart it will not be wasted on this. Why do you think money can correct behavioral problems??? Traffic circles do not solve heavy traffic at peak times. The lunatics are trying to run the asylum again. Look at the mess at the square in Crozet.