When an extension of Hillsdale Drive from Greenbrier Drive to Hydraulic Road was being planned, many in the immediate area had expected there would be a traffic light at the northern terminus.
However, a traffic study found that there would not be enough traffic volume to warrant a signal so none was installed. Vehicles traveling on Hillsdale have flowed free through the intersection since the roadway opened in December 2017.
That will begin to change this summer as crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation begin work to install a mini-roundabout at a cost of $250,000.
“Mini roundabouts operate the same way as a traditional roundabout but have a smaller diameter and are often installed in residential areas,” reads a VDOT information release sent out on June 16.
One of the phases of construction planned for early next week (Credit: Virginia Department of Transportation)
The work will take place in two phases over three days beginning on June 22.
VDOT considers mini roundabouts as an example of an innovative intersection. They rely on paint to create a paved center island that large vehicles can drive over if necessary.
Rio District Supervisor Ned Gallaway shared the information with the Albemarle Board of Supervisors on June 17.
“The upside of this is is basically it puts a roundabout in place but it doesn’t need to be the full on construction effort like we see happening in front of CATEC,” Gallway said. “And if for some reason this treatment does not work, it can be removed as easily as it was put in.”
Gallaway referred to the conversion of the interchange of Rio Road and the John Warner Parkway into a roundabout. That is one of five projects VDOT is building as part of a package of projects known as Intersection Design-Build Bundle 2 for a total cost of $42.3 million.
For more on the history of Hillsdale Drive Extended, check out this article on Cvillepedia.
Previous coverage:
- VDOT, city, neighbors discuss Hillsdale intersection concerns, Charlottesville Tomorrow, July 24, 2015
- Supervisors request traffic light at future Hillsdale intersection, Charlottesville Tomorrow, August 7, 2015
- Safety concerns remain after Hillsdale opening, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 12, 2018
- Modular roundabout planned for intersection of Hillsdale Drive and Greenbrier Drive, Information Charlottesville, February 8, 2025
Before you go: The goal of Town Crier Productions is to increase awareness about what is happening at the local, regional, state, and federal government levels. Please share the work with others if you want people to know things. Paid subscribers cover the cost of conducting research for this article which was originally published in the June 17, 2026 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. You can either subscribe through Substack or make a charitable contribution.
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