VDOT holding input session to inform future projects at Ridge-McIntire/West Main/Water Street

Within recent memory, the Virginia Department city was awarded millions of dollars to upgrade West Main Street as well as millions more for another project to make improvements to Ridge Street.

Charlottesville City Council officially canceled the West Main Streetscape in June 2022 and the Ridge Street Smart Scale project in late 2024 as part of a continuing effort to get back in VDOT’s good graces. In May, Council learned that VDOT considered the city to be deficient due to its inability to move transportation projects forward.

As the city attempts to move forward with several projects, VDOT and the City of Charlottesville are seeking feedback on alternatives to improve the complex intersection. VDOT has launched what’s called a STARS Study which stands for “Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions.”

“The study will not schedule construction but will propose improvements for local authorities to consider for funding and planning,” reads a flyer for an open house meeting taking place on August 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carver Recreation Center.

The person responsible for getting Charlottesville’s transportation planning and implementation back on track is Ben Chambers. He told the MPO-Tech Committee about the project at their meeting on August 5.

“It’s our big central intersection right by downtown and there are lots of interesting alternatives our consultant has come up with for that one,” Chambers said.

Among the Some of the alternatives include converting a portion of West Water Street to one-way, adding bike lanes and parking on Water Street, and changing the signal times. There are three alternatives for review and these can be seen in advance at this link. For deep background, you can also take a look at a 39-page report.

There are several other STARS studies underway in VDOT’s Culpeper District.

• One is taking a look at the U.S. 29 corridor and U.S. 29/250 Bypass at Emmet Street interchange, Charlottesville and Albemarle County. (view the website)
• Another is studying the U.S. 29 from Hydraulic Rd in Charlottesville to Woodbrook Drive in Albemarle County. (checking for link)
• A study completed in 2018 looked at the Ivy Road corridor in Albemarle County (view the website)

Any project that emerges from a STARS study would likely be funded through Smart Scale or VDOT revenue sharing programs.

Before you go: This story was first sent out in the August 12, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and then posted here a day later. To learn more about Town Crier Productions, visit this page.