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.

There’s a guy on a motorized scooter who I see on 250 many days of the week riding to and from Crozet, presumably to Charlottesville and back. You’ve likely seen him too.

Imagine a trail that allowed him and others to get to and from Charlottesville without having to

a) get in a car and/or

b) ride a scooter or bike on a trail not competing with cars — everyone wins.

“The FIRST PUBLIC MEETING for Three Notched Trail feedback is May 15th!

Your attendance is requested on Thursday, May 15th, at 6pm! Albemarle County and the Three Notched Trail (3NT) Master Planning team are hosting an Open House with a brief presentation starting at 6:15. There will be opportunities for feedback, including highlighting your preferred trail destinations on a map.

The event will be held at Crozet Elementary School from 6pm to 8pm. There will also be a Bike Month event that day in the same parking lot from 5:00 to 7:00pm. There you can experience test riding various E-bikes, comparing different models. Kids may bring their bikes for safety lessons and testing our their bike skills.

Additional information on the Three Notched Trail Master Plan can be found on Albemarle County’s 3NT webpage.”

This looks fun!

www.albemarle.org/parks

You’ve seen the sign that 240/250 construction is coming.

It’s the roundabout.

When will the roundabout be finished?

Construction of the roundabout is anticipated to begin in late May of this year, and the construction will be substantially completed in the winter of 2025. We expect that punch list work will extend into 2026.

From VDOT

As I said on Bluesky:

240/250 roundabout construction will suck.

Progress does sometimes.

More than ever, grateful for infrastructure improvement.

As I sat in heaving paving-exacerbated-traffic (noting that if I’m in traffic, I am traffic) on 240 the other day, I was appreciative that we actually have some infrastructure improvements.

“Roundabout at Routes 240/250/680

VDOT will reconstruct the existing intersection of Route 240 (Three Notched Road), Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and Route 680 (Browns Gap Turnpike) as a four-leg, single-lane roundabout. Using HSIP funds, the proposed roundabout will improve traffic safety and more efficiently move traffic through the busy Albemarle County intersection.

During construction, VDOT proposes to close Route 680 to through traffic between Route 250 and Route 802 (Old Three Notched Road) with a posted detour. Traffic would be detoured via Route 240 to Route 802 for about two months. The existing Route 680 single lane bridge over Lickinghole Creek, adjacent to this project, is being planned for replacement immediately after the roundabout is constructed.”

Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll finish this roundabout sooner than anticipated and open early, as they did for the Hydraulic roundabout.

Well, the Crozetians to commented on this Facebook post at least want infrastructure, greenspace, and more businesses.

So many of us want sidewalks. I’d add a request for wider, more welcoming, and inviting sidewalks that connect our neighborhoods and our communities.

I ask each of you to email our supervisor and CC the Board of Supervisors. We need to be the persistently squeaky wheels. Commenting on FB, Nextdoor, Bluesky, or here matters less than direct contact. Again. And Again. And Again.

If we want things, we need to work to get them — for years and years. Status quo depends on and encourages apathy.

Question for the Crozetians – 

What do you want in/for Crozet next year?

Picking and choosing a few of the comments from the post:

• Sidewalk or multiuse path the entire length of Three Notched Road. Real progress on Barnes Lumber area. And where the heck is that traffic circle at 240/250 Mechums trestle?
  • Roundabout at 240/250/680 coming in 2025?
• Eastern Avenue south to 250
• Traffic calming measures on neighborhood streets. So our kids don’t get run over by the many drivers who treat our neighborhood streets like speedways.
• Sidewalks and trails connecting town with neighborhoods
• Fewer hideous monstrosities like what is being built on 250 and Miller School Rd. It is sooo incongruous with the surroundings. Ugh
• To turn back time……
• Less plans for unaffordable housing and more for the community that already lives here. Sidewalks. Community activities for children. More at the park that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. More that doesn’t revolve around alcohol in general
• Safe cycling option to get from Crozet to Cville and back (bike lane?)
• Change the traffic light in front of Western to a large roundabout. Either that or widen the intersection and entrance the school to include extra lanes – we need something to facilitate much smoother entrance in the mornings and afternoons because right now it’s a semi-controlled disaster
  • The roundabout is coming
• Sidewalks and bike lanes making us less reliant on cars!
• Sidewalks. Everywhere. I have never lived anywhere that the children cannot walk to school. Crozet is very unwalkable considering how small the area is. Hopefully one day. And I would also like to see bike lanes.
• Sidewalks from Tabor along Park Road and past the park! I see so many children walking in the road.
• Bodos, Chandlers, more sidewalks, a reduced speed limit on Jarmans Gap Road from 40 to 25/30 like the rest of the road. No safe space for the many bikers and walkers after Greyrock to Lanetown intersection and now fully developed! Thx
• Sidewalks. All the sidewalks.
• Wish list-Fix the malfunction junction @ the 4-way stop and the Square. It’s awful and no one knows how to use a 4-way stop properly. Someone will get hurt soon, possibly a pedestrian. The 240/250 is even more unsafe, so any improvement with that would be appreciated . TY for asking and for all of the hard work to keep us safe & moving forward!
• Avoid car cenric planning. The best country in the world to drive in is one that prioritizes other forms of transportation like walking, cycling, and public transport: https://youtu.be/d8RRE2rDw4k
• Downtown Crozet plaza and successful small business growth/incentives to sustain the larger downtown area. And connected sidewalks & bike paths on 240, 250, down Crozet Ave, and around the Park

Here’s to a great 2025.