Meadow Creek Parkway Interchange
| Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange | ||
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Project Underway
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Project Overview
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1. To enhance transportation mobility for local residents
2. To safely accommodate projected future traffic volumes 3. To accommodate and enhance pedestrian and bicycle needs in the project area |
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| Cost | $32.5 million[1] | |
| Location | Intersection of McIntire Road and Route 250 Bypass | |
| Sponsor | Charlottesville | |
| Next meeting | TBA | |
Status Update
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Awaiting memorandum of agreement, final engineering |
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| Website | Project website | |
| VDOT Dashboard | [1] | |
| Contact | Angela Tucker, Development Services Manager, Charlottesville | |
The Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange an element of the city's portion of the John Warner Parkway and replaced an at-grade intersection of McIntire Road and Route 250.
Construction was completed in the summer of 2015 though the interchange actually opened in January 2015. [2]
The city portion of the Meadowcreek Parkway (called McIntire Road Extended) was completed in August 2013, but did not open to traffic until the interchange was completed. [3]
History
The city advertised the project for construction in the fall of 2012 and the lowest bid was submitted by General Excavation of Waynesboro.[4] The city is verifying that bid and will make an award in March 2013, with construction expected to begin in summer 2013.
The final design was created the firm RK&K.[5]
The Federal Highway Administration issued a "Finding of No Significant Impact" on September 29, 2010, allowing the interchange to proceed to the next phase of construction.[6]
After the FONSI was issued, the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park filed suit against the FHWA to stop the interchange's construction.[7] Judge Norman K. Moon filed a scheduling order on April 25, 2011, and testimony was heard on April 25, 2012.[8] On May 29, 2012, Judge Moon dismissed the Coalition's lawsuit, finding that the preliminary actions taken by the FHWA to estimate the proposed interchange's environmental impact were adequate. Moon also found that the project's impact on the "unique characteristics" (the Rock Hill Landscape and Dogwood Memorial, e.g.) of the surrounding area were not severe enough to warrant halting the project.[9]
Project details
A cost estimate from January 2012 places the cost estimate for the project at $33.5 million, though the project could increase in cost.[5] The majority of funding comes from an appropriation of two federal earmarks[10][11] announced in 2005 totaling $27 million via former Senator John Warner (R-VA). Other funds come from the City's match as well as VDOT revenue sharing. This project is being managed by Charlottesville under the First Cities initiative, with technical support provided by VDOT.
Grade separation
There is an agreement among the city, county, and VDOT that the interchange must be grade-separated.[1] Some members of the community are alarmed that the north-south pedestrian and bike trails will have to cross the on-ramps leading to U.S. 250 at-grade.[12]
Effects on parks
The Charlottesville Skateboard Park had to be relocated due to the construction of the interchange.[13]
History
Timeline
- February 18, 2003 – City Council hears report from NDS Director Jim Tolbert regarding an RFP that was being issued to study possible intersection designs for where the Meadowcreek Parkway would meet the Route 250 Bypass.[14]
- June 12, 2007 – Charlottesville Planning Commission votes 3-1-1 on a motion that the Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange is consistent with the city's Comprehensive Plan [15]
- July 2, 2007 – Council votes 4-1 to approve project's fit with the city's comprehensive plan and to approve two alternatives to move forward for the design [16]
- February 19, 2008 – Neighborhood Development staff asks Council to spend $1 million to match a VDOT revenue sharing plan. This would be put aside to pay for pedestrian and improvements, above and beyond the money from the federal government.
- March 18, 2008 – Steering committee overseeing the interchange design votes 5-1-1 to select Alternative C1 as its preferred alternative. [17]
- June 4, 2008 – City Council selected a modified version of Alternative G1. [18]
- October 29, 2009 – Design public hearing
- November 16, 2009 – Council presented with design
- December 7, 2009 – Council approves design on 3-2 vote and authorizes City Manager Gary O'Connell to proceed with MOA
- September 29, 2010 – Federal Highway Administration issues Finding of No Significant Impact.[6]
- February 22, 2011 – Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park sues FHWA to seek injunction against interchange's construction.[7]
- April 25, 2012 – Judge Norman K. Moon hears testimony in segmentation case.[19]
- May 29, 2012 – Judge Moon rules in favor of the FHWA.[9]
- January 2015: Interchange opened[when?]
Design Steering Committee
The project's initial development was overseen by a steering committee, appointed by the Charlottesville Mayor and City Council.
- Richard Berman, Neighborhood Representative
- Stephen Bolton, CHART Advisory Committee
- John Conover, Rivanna Trails Foundation
- Michael Farruggio, Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
- Robert Hodous, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
- John Hossack, Neighborhood Representative
- Cheri Lewis, Charlottesville Planning Commission
- Kevin Lynch, Charlottesville City Council
- Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., Citizens Committee for City-County Cooperation
- Calvin Morris, Albemarle County Planning Commission
- Russell Perry, Planner/Architect
Alternates: (also appointed by Mayor/City Council of Charlottesville)
- Jeffrey Wilbur, Rivanna Trails Foundation
- Robert Winstead, Planner/Architect
Project Team: Technical Support Staff to Steering Committee
- Tony Edwards, Charlottesville City Engineer
- Jeanette Janiczek, Charlottesville VDOT Program Coordinator
- Greg Krystyniak, VDOT Program Manager
- Owen Peery, RK&K Engineers Project Manager
- Leo Rutledge, VDOT Local Assistance Division
- Brent Sprinkel, VDOT Culpeper District
- Mike Svetz, Charlottesville Director of Parks & Recreation
- Angela Tucker, Charlottesville Project Manager
Map
Coordinates:
38°02′34″N 78°28′29″E / 38.042734°N -78.474827°W
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Web. Council reviews details of Meadowcreek Parkway interchange design, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 7 2009, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. Regional planning officials discuss projects, future changes, Tim Shea, Charlottesville Tomorrow, April 22, 2013, retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ↑ Web. As interchange work progresses, city’s portion of Meadow Creek Parkway is completed, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 4 Aug 2013, retrieved 5 Aug 2013.
- ↑ Web. Construction nears for parkway interchange, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 15, 2013, retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Web. Parkway interchange awaits result of federal lawsuit, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 26, 2012, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Web. Route 250 Bypass Interchange at McIntire Road Press Release, Charlottesville, Virginia, retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Web. Meadowcreek opponents file federal suit, Sean Tubbs, February 24, 2011, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. Route 250 Bypass Interchange at McIntire Road hearing soon to be scheduled, Peter Kleeman, May 9, 2011, retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Web. Judge Moon rules against Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park; Parkway Interchange to proceed, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 29, 2012, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. Earmark - Construct Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange, Charlottesville ($2 million), Office of Management and Budget, retrieved 4 Jan 2012.
- ↑ Web. Earmark - Construct Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange, Charlottesville ($25 million), Office of Management and Budget, retrieved 4 Jan 2012.
- ↑ Web. Council approves Meadowcreek Parkway interchange; mitigation letters awaiting signatures, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 11, 2009, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. With parkway looming, where is a skater to go?, BRYAN MCKENZIE, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, October 29, 2011
- ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, 18 Feb. 2003.
- ↑ Web. Divided Planning Commission approves Meadowcreek Parkway interchange, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 12, 2007, retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ↑ Web. Council acts on Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange, Charlottesville Tomorrow, 3 July 2007, retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ↑ Web. Oval roundabout preferred by 250 Interchange Steering Committee, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 20, 2008, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. City Council selects signalized intersection for Meadowcreek Parkway interchange, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 5, 2008, retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ↑ Web. Judge Moon hears testimony in Meadowcreek interchange case, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, April 25, 2012, retrieved October 6, 2014.