VDOT seeking responses to two Project Pipeline surveys in Albemarle County

There are often opportunities to weigh in on transportation planning, a process whose length far surpasses that of the news cycle. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission this week has announced two surveys intended to get general input on existing conditions in two locations.

• One is for the general area around the intersection of U.S. 29 and Interstate 64 between Teal Lane. (project website)
• The second is for Fifth Street Extended between Harris Road and Pinehurst Court. (project website)

Both surveys are part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Project Pipeline process which seeks to identify future projects for later funding. Previous studies in this area have covered Barracks Road, Ivy Road, and two on U.S. 250.

The U.S. 29 study in Round 3 comes at a time when the Albemarle Community Development Department is processing a nearby rezoning adjacent to the Sieg distribution center for 1,365 residential units and up to 350,000 square feet of commercial space. Riverbend Development filed an application in 2022 as I reported in March of that year.

The website for the study also notes there have been recent projects in the area including addition of a stop light.

“Traffic is currently backing up at that signal, and there are significant safety concerns at that location as a result,” reads the study. “This study will also look to improve the small park and ride lot located on the east side of U.S. Route 29 northbound just south of the interchange on Teal Lane.”

The second Project Pipeline study will bring in new data in an area that has been looked at several times in the last few years.

“This is a re-evaluation of previous studies and SMART SCALE applications to refine and value engineer solutions that will have better potential for benefits in relation to cost,” reads this project website.

Review will go through June 16.

Before you go: This story about transportation planning was originally sent out in the June 3, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. Two days passed before the information was posted here. If you’d like to help support it financially, this page contains the possible ways.