Route 29 Solutions Traffic Alerts: Week of Sept. 5-9

The following work is scheduled, weather permitting, on the Route 29 corridor in Albemarle County and the city of Charlottesville during the upcoming week. Speed limits may be reduced and traffic movements may be restricted within highway work zones.

(NEW) or (UPDATE) indicate revisions since last week’s report.

(UPDATE) Rio Road grade-separated intersection – The intersection is open to traffic. Motorists should follow new overhead and ground-mounted signs to guide them through the project area. Tuesday through Friday the following overnight lane closures will be in effect.

On Route 29 north and south of the Rio Road intersection:

• Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., Tuesday through Friday there will be at least one lane open both northbound and southbound
• All business entrances will remain open during business hours
• Turning movements at the Rio Road signal, including left turns and U-turns, may be restricted between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

On Rio Road east and west of Route 29:

• Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., the crossover, U-turn and left turn movements from Rio Road onto Route 29 and from Route 29 onto Rio Road may be restricted
• All business entrances will remain open during business hours

During the overnight closures additional detour signs, cones and other traffic controls will direct motorists through the work zone. The speed limit remains 35 mph at all times. The nighttime work will continue for the next several months.

Both of the temporary median breaks, located at Myers Drive and Berkmar Drive, have been closed. The Berkmar Drive intersection has been restored to its original configuration to provide right-in, right-out access at Route 29 southbound.

(UPDATE) Route 29 widening – Construction continues along the roadway shoulders between Route 643 (Polo Grounds Road) and Route 1719 (Towncenter Drive). Travel lanes are narrowed and shoulders are closed within the work zone and the speed limit is reduced to 40 mph. Expect intermittent single lane closures Tuesdaythrough Friday between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Motorists should remain alert and use caution through the work zone.

(UPDATE) Berkmar Drive Extended –Bridge construction beginning Wednesday will require mid-day closures of Rio Mills Road between Route 29 and Millers Cottage Lane. On Wednesday and Thursday the road will be closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; on Friday the closure will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. All residential and business entrances along the north end of Rio Mills Road will be accessible from Earlysville Road. On Towncenter Drive in the vicinity of the roundabout, motorists should be alert for dump trucks and other equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Hillsdale Drive Extended – A new three-way stop will be installed at India Road/Line Drive/Construction Entrance to aid in construction equipment safely entering roadway. Advance warning signs in addition to new stop signs with orange flags will be installed. Paint markings, stop bars and centerline striping will also be adjusted. Obey traffic controls and expect minor delays on Hillsdale Drive, Hydraulic Road, India Road, Zan Road, Greenbrier Drive, Pepsi Place and Seminole Court. For project updates, visit http://hillsdaledrive.org.