View source for Sunset-Fontaine Connector

{{Infobox Transportation
| name =Fontaine/Sunset Connector
| photo =Fontaine-sunset.jpg
| caption =
| status ={{proposed}}
<!--ABOVE USE:{{proposed}},{{planned}},{{underway}},{{complete}},or {{canceled}} -->
| meeting = 
| location = Albemarle
<!--ABOVE USE JURISDICTION: Albemarle, Charlottesville -->
| cost =$12,800,000 (estimate)
| sponsor = none {{as of|2018|9|lc=on}}
<!--ABOVE USE: Albemarle, Charlottesville, VDOT -->
| purpose =Road interconnection between Fontaine Ave and Sunset Avenue/Old Lynchburg Road area in County. Expected alignment traverses the Granger Property and the UVA Fontaine Research Park. Cost includes bridge over railroad tracks.
| status-desc =Part of [[Area B Study]] - The County, City and the [[University of Virginia]] continue to discuss the road, and most recently{{when}} it was a topic of a [[PACC]] meeting.
| website =
| vdot-dashboard =
| contact =[[David Benish]], Chief of Planning, Albemarle County
}}

The '''Fontaine/Sunset Connector''' is a proposed road to connect [[Fontaine Avenue]] in [[Charlottesville]] with Sunset Avenue/[[Old Lynchburg Road]] in [[Albemarle County]]. It is not under any serious consideration {{as of|2018|9|lc=on}}. 

== Project details ==
The project was one of the recommendations of the [[Southern Urban Area B Study]] in September 2004. While the road is still in the conceptual stage, the expected alignment traverses the Granger property and the [[University of Virginia|University of Virginia's]] [[Fontaine Research Park]]. The $12,800,000 project includes a bridge over railroad tracks.

A subdivision plat submitted to Albemarle County's community development department shows that [[Stribling Holdings LLC]] will build the portion of the connector on its property. A September 2010 rezoning for the Fontaine Research Park established that the [[University of Virginia Foundation]] will set aside land for a portion of the connector road. <ref>{{cite web|title=Granger property to be developed by-right; connector road part of plans|url=https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/granger-property|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=November 15, 2011|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref>

== Status ==
This project was called for in the [[Southern Urban Area B Study]]. Planning is currently{{when}} in the conceptual stage. The county, city and UVa are negotiating the alignment for this proposed connector. As such, the primary forum for negotiations is the [[Planning and Coordination Council]]. The [[Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission]] is currently studying UVa's preferred alternative of running the road down [[Stribling Avenue]]. The study is expected to be ready in time for the November 18, 2010 PACC meeting<ref>Fitzgerald, Brendan. "C-Ville: UVA - Sunset/Fontaine Connector Gets New Study." C-VILLE Charlottesville's News & Arts Weekly | Charlottesville VA News Music Culture Dining. 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2010. <http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=141404064432695&ShowArticle_ID=11803008103673232>.</ref>.

The project was at one point priority #8 on the County's [[Albemarle County Secondary Six-Year Priority List| Six Year Plan for Secondary Roads for Fiscal Year 2009]]<ref>[http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/Forms_Center/Departments/Board_of_Supervisors/Forms/Agenda/2008Files/20080312/SixYearRoadPlanAttachA1.pdf County's Strategic Priorites for Albemarle County Priority List for Secondary Road Improvements]</ref>. However, the project is also listed on the MPO's [[Transportation Improvement Program]] as an illustrative transportation project, which means it is not likely to begin receiving funding for some time<ref name=TIP>FY09-12 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. Rep. [[Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization]]. Web. 13 Oct. 2009. <http://www.tjpdc.org/pdf/TIP/FINAL_%20FY09%20TIP.pdf></ref>.

At a December 18, 2012 Albemarle Planning Commission meeting, county staff said that the Sunset-Fontaine Connector wouldn't be completely built in the near future, but recommended the Commission continue securing the right of way and establish a bike/ped thoroughfare.  This recommendation is the result of the 2009-10 TJDPC traffic study, which showed that the Sunset-Fontaine Connector would not be used enough to necessitate building it<ref>{{cite web|title=Traffic model challenges benefits of Sunset-Fontaine Connector |url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/13697-sunset-fontaine-connector/ |author=Tim Shea |work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow |location=|publishdate=December 19, 2012 |accessdate=December 20, 2012}}</ref>. 

===Project history===
*May 19, 2009: At a PACC meeting, Leonard Sandridge says the University will not pay for off-site improvements as part of a rezoning effort<ref name=ctupdatedplans>Tubbs, Sean J. "County, City planners seeking updated plans for Fontaine-Sunset Connector; Sandridge says UVA will not contribute to road needs outside research park." Weblog post. Charlottesville Tomorrow News Center. Charlottesville Tomorrow, 17 July 2009. Web. 27 July 2009. <http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2009/07/fontaine_sunset_news.html>.</ref>
*July 16, 2009: At a [[PACC Tech]] meeting, County Planner Wayne Cilimberg says Charlottesville and Albemarle County would like the [[MPO Tech]] committee to discuss possible alignments for the road<ref name=ctupdatedplans/>.
*2009-10: [[Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission]] conducts traffic study as part of the [[Southern Urban Area B Study]].
*September 8, 2010: The road will come up during the Board of Supervisor's public hearing on the University of Virginia's request to rezone the [[Fontaine Research Park]].
*August 10, 2011: City Council candidates discuss road at [[Charlottesville City Council candidate forum, 2011 August 10 (2nd)|Fry's Spring Neighborhood association candidate forum]]. <ref>{{cite web|title=City council candidates debate Fontaine-Sunset Connector|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/08/conn.html|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=August 19, 2011|accessdate=October 14, 2011}}</ref>
*December 18, 2012: 2009-10 traffic modeling suggests that the road might not help as much as once thought<ref>{{cite web|title=Traffic model challenges benefits of Sunset-Fontaine Connector |url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/13697-sunset-fontaine-connector/ |author=Tim Shea |work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow |location=|publishdate=December 19, 2012 |accessdate=December 20, 2012}}</ref>.

==Map==
{{Map
|lat=38.019663
|lng=-78.527484
|zoom=15}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) items (illustrative)]]