I support approving the grant application for the Route 20 shared use path. I understand and sympathize with points of resistance, but I think the boon to our community outweighs the downsides. It's terribly difficult to retrofit automobile-centered infrastructure with as much history as Charlottesville's in order to enable safe biking and walking, but our community is hungry for such alternatives (e.g., witness the overflow parking at the Monticello Trail). Let's get these paths going!
I strongly support the Charlottesville - Monticello Trail/PVCC bike/pedestrian trail! As a biker that frequently biked to the Monticello trail as well as routes along Milton Rd/the TJ Parkway, biking along US20 was an unsafe experience, with cars passing at fast speed and having to deal with people merging on/off 64 on the right shoulder.
The trail will also benefit the community in the following ways::
Healthy population (more runners, bikers) --> more interest in outdoor events around town, races, gym classes, healthy eating
Biking/running gear purchases (BR Cyclery, Blue Wheel, Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Endeavor, Respect Cycles etc)
Reduced traffic as more residents leverage non-driving means of transportation
Commuting PVCC/Monticello HS/Tandem School/Mill Creek area/PVCC <---> downtown
Safer alternative for bikers/pedestrians who are currently biking/walking anyways
I am an active resident who lives near PVCC and goes to Monticello trail regularly. Currently, it is dangerous to cross the busy road to get to the trail and I think having a new road would be safer. It also encourages people to be more active!
My husband, William Cummings & I live on Watts Passage Rd. We are strongly opposed to the proposed changes to the 29/Burnley Station/Frays Mill intersection.
That intersection is one of the busiest and thus definitely needs a traffic light.
There is non-stop traffic coming down our road in the mornings & evenings, due to the many drivers that cut through to rt. 20, to go to Pantops, Sentara and C’ville.
We have fire trucks and ambulances from Stony Point that come down our rd to 29.
There are school buses and Jaunt buses that use the intersection daily.
There are service trucks, dump trucks, farm trucks with livestock trailers, extra traffic from Preddy Creek Park, including trucks with horse trailers, - all coming from these roads and turning onto 29, mainly turning left to go towards C’ville.
All these vehicles, drivers & passengers would be endangered by not having the traffic light.
Many of the larger vehicles would have trouble navigating a RCUT.
This is a deadly solution!
It is quite possible (and normal) for trees and trails to coexist. They will in fact complement one another. If the project is funded, there will be a robust community discussion that will include a requirement that the trees be preserved on site and treated with respect. The project will be funded (by VDOT) to accomplish this and more resources are at the ready to assure that outcome.
A YES vote allows the discussion to go forward, with the full understanding that if the actual design is unsatisfactory in any way, the Board can (and should) vote it down or require changes when the time comes. A NO vote shuts down the conversation and perpetuates a status quo that is not serving the community well and is causing harm. There’s very little risk in a YES and lots of known downsides and missed opportunities in a NO.
The Board should vote YES, and allow the community to continue exploring a solution to one of its most long-standing connectivity gaps.
I OPPOSE the proposal of US29 R-Cut because this would only increase more concern of further accidents while trying to dodge traffic in both directions. Especially the concern for larger vehicles including school buses. I have not seen much back-up at the light but plenty of vehicles running red lights. This would not resolve for the R-Cut and would only increase the risk of more accidents. There has been only two accidents from the Burnley Station Rd side since living near the intersection for the last 13 years that I have seen. I feel the funds could be better utilized to make road improvements such as repaving Watts Passage because it has been over looked for some time as only to 'Patch Work' holes that do not last long at all. The inconvenience of the R-Cut also looks to increase people heading out into another county for purchasing supplies. Please do not consider this large amount of money (OUR Tax Dollars) for unnecessary changes that would NOT be of any improvement to our area
US 29/Frays Mill/ Burnley Station Intersection
This is not a difficult stop light and does not see many accidents. I can see the actual light from my yard, and rarely hear any issues. This would be a large inconvenience to the many people that live on these roads. I also have a concern for the bicyclist. Many bicyclist ride Burnley Station/Watts Passage and cross Rt29 to Frays Mill/Advance Mills. This would put them in danger as they would have to pull out into oncoming traffic cross 2 northbound lanes, make the u-turn, cross 2 south bound lanes and then make the turn, which currently would just be following the traffic light and crossing the road without much concern for oncoming traffic.
I am strongly opposed to the proposed R cut at the intersection of Rt 29 and Burnley Station/Frays Mill Rd. The current light works well for both safety and traffic flow. If safety is the concern, it could be further enhanced at a much less cost with the addition of yellow flashing signs warning drivers of the posted speed limit and the intersection. Forcing drivers to turn north, then merge into the far left lane to make a u-turn would only decrease safety. And the major traffic issues in this area at commute times are the back up of traffic to the south at Rt 29 and Boulders Rd, and to the north at Rt 29 and Rt 607 neither of which will be improved by the proposed R cut. In a time of possible decreasing tax revenue our tax dollars can be much more wisely spent.
I strongly support the Belmont - Monticello Trail/PVCC bike/running path! It's high time to leave our gasoline guzzlers at home and bike to the trailhead. The parking is crazy on the weekend! (Have you seen it?). Think of a family bike trip that starts at your house and ends with a lemonade at the Monticello tourist center. It's time to transform our cities! It's not the 60's anymore!
Return on investment:
Healthy population (more runners, bikers) --> more interest in outdoor events around town, races, gym classes, healthy eating
Biking/running gear purchases (BR Cyclery, Blue Wheel, Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Endeavor, Respect Cycles etc)
Monticello Tourist Center
Commuting PVCC/Monticello HS/Tandem School/Mill Creek area/PVCC <---> downtown
21st-century city image - for i-64 exit & Rt 20 drivers
Carter's Mountain could hugely benefit if connected via Carters Mnt Trail or even better via Montalto
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. This absurd plan will increase traffic to the southeast end of Watts Passage causing congestion on Preddy Creek Rd, Doctors Crossing; and the intersection with Rt20. Watts supports several school buses, two of which are special needs buses. The current volume of traffic is difficult enough for them to navigate. Denying the tax-paying citizens of this area the opportunity to turn left (south) onto Rt29 would create a new burden on us. We make that left turn to access Rivanna Station, UVA Research Park, and the Hollymead shops. Forcing us to turn north will merely result in people sliding into the passing lane to make the first U-Turn, resulting in accidents involving both north- and south-bound commuters. This project will only benefit commuters from other counties to the north whose property taxes would not contribute to this project - nor to your salaries! Please let the Good Idea Fairy land elsewhere.
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. I don’t see how installing an R-cut improves safety at this intersection. Years ago Rob Bell helped get a light installed to improve safety at this intersection. Removing the light and forcing all Burnley Station Road traffic to turn north, cross multiple lanes of traffic then make a U-turn into moving southbound traffic doesn’t seem like a safety improvement. The larger the vehicle, the more risky these maneuvers become. The risk factor is even greater for school buses trying to enter traffic. For these reasons I oppose this proposed change.
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. I think other steps could be taken. Currently most of the traffic coming out of Burnley Station Road is traveling north - this includes residents of the northern part of the county as well as residents visiting Preddy Creek Park - a heavily visited park for hikers, bicyclists, and horse riders. The backup for this traffic on Route 29 would be more dangerous. Additionally, traffic would be sent down Watts Passage - a narrow curvy road - which would end near an elementary school.
I strongly oppose the US29/Burnley Station Rd.proposed R cut project. The new plan is more dangerous than current conditions and punishes long time residents of this part of the county.
We are opposed to the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. We have lived near this intersection for over 20 years and despite the growth in the area, the light has worked fine since it was installed. The statistics cited in the proposal would suggest that any accidents occurring at this intersection are due to speeding and driver's not paying attention, something an R-Cut would not solve and only make worse. Further, the price tag for this project is outrageous compared to any benefits that might be realized. It is ironic that we had to fight for years to get a light and lower the grade in order to make this intersection safer, now we're having to fight to keep it. Please don't give in to the voices that want Rt 29 to be another interstate highway.
Route 29/641 light changes proposed. This is a busy intersection with most traffic heading 29S from Burnley Station RoadWhich is a left turn! Any changes would be deadly. There are many old and new neighborhoods on 641. There is also a county park ( Preddy’s) that involves more traffic and horse trailers. School buses also must make Left turn to head to schools in Albemarle.
I oppose the US 29/ Frays Mill/ Burnley Station Intersection Improvements. I have been using this intersection daily for the past 14 years (11 on the Frays Mill side, and the last 3 on the Burnley Station side). 14 years ago the light was not necessary, but with increased traffic it became so for traffic to turn off of these roads onto U.S. 29, and vice versa. What you propose would require drivers to make U-turns into the morning and evening traffic that necessitated the light in the first place. Currently there is the chance of an accident at that intersection if/when people run red lights. The design does not alleviate the chance of accidents at the intersection, and create 2 new places for potential accidents. I've not noticed any major backups at this intersection in the morning or evening. Cedar Grove further north seems to be a larger choke point for traffic moving north since it has been "fixed."
I am opposed to the 29/FraysMill/Burnley station rd proposed RCUT change to intersection. The County has not provided enough accident data to justify the expense and inconvenience of an RCUT. Why have less expensive alternatives not been thoroughly examined? No "solution" will reduce accidents to zero. Why not therefore choose one that is less intrusive and less expensive? Why not just post a cruiser with flashing lights during time periods with most accidents? Will cost a lot less than $7 million.
I support approving the grant application for the Route 20 shared use path. I understand and sympathize with points of resistance, but I think the boon to our community outweighs the downsides. It's terribly difficult to retrofit automobile-centered infrastructure with as much history as Charlottesville's in order to enable safe biking and walking, but our community is hungry for such alternatives (e.g., witness the overflow parking at the Monticello Trail). Let's get these paths going!
I strongly support the Charlottesville - Monticello Trail/PVCC bike/pedestrian trail! As a biker that frequently biked to the Monticello trail as well as routes along Milton Rd/the TJ Parkway, biking along US20 was an unsafe experience, with cars passing at fast speed and having to deal with people merging on/off 64 on the right shoulder.
The trail will also benefit the community in the following ways::
Healthy population (more runners, bikers) --> more interest in outdoor events around town, races, gym classes, healthy eating
Biking/running gear purchases (BR Cyclery, Blue Wheel, Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Endeavor, Respect Cycles etc)
Reduced traffic as more residents leverage non-driving means of transportation
Commuting PVCC/Monticello HS/Tandem School/Mill Creek area/PVCC <---> downtown
Safer alternative for bikers/pedestrians who are currently biking/walking anyways
I am an active resident who lives near PVCC and goes to Monticello trail regularly. Currently, it is dangerous to cross the busy road to get to the trail and I think having a new road would be safer. It also encourages people to be more active!
I oppose the RCUt intersection at 29/Frays Mill/Burnley station
My husband, William Cummings & I live on Watts Passage Rd. We are strongly opposed to the proposed changes to the 29/Burnley Station/Frays Mill intersection.
That intersection is one of the busiest and thus definitely needs a traffic light.
There is non-stop traffic coming down our road in the mornings & evenings, due to the many drivers that cut through to rt. 20, to go to Pantops, Sentara and C’ville.
We have fire trucks and ambulances from Stony Point that come down our rd to 29.
There are school buses and Jaunt buses that use the intersection daily.
There are service trucks, dump trucks, farm trucks with livestock trailers, extra traffic from Preddy Creek Park, including trucks with horse trailers, - all coming from these roads and turning onto 29, mainly turning left to go towards C’ville.
All these vehicles, drivers & passengers would be endangered by not having the traffic light.
Many of the larger vehicles would have trouble navigating a RCUT.
This is a deadly solution!
RE Route 20 Shared Use Path.
It is quite possible (and normal) for trees and trails to coexist. They will in fact complement one another. If the project is funded, there will be a robust community discussion that will include a requirement that the trees be preserved on site and treated with respect. The project will be funded (by VDOT) to accomplish this and more resources are at the ready to assure that outcome.
A YES vote allows the discussion to go forward, with the full understanding that if the actual design is unsatisfactory in any way, the Board can (and should) vote it down or require changes when the time comes. A NO vote shuts down the conversation and perpetuates a status quo that is not serving the community well and is causing harm. There’s very little risk in a YES and lots of known downsides and missed opportunities in a NO.
The Board should vote YES, and allow the community to continue exploring a solution to one of its most long-standing connectivity gaps.
I OPPOSE the proposal of US29 R-Cut because this would only increase more concern of further accidents while trying to dodge traffic in both directions. Especially the concern for larger vehicles including school buses. I have not seen much back-up at the light but plenty of vehicles running red lights. This would not resolve for the R-Cut and would only increase the risk of more accidents. There has been only two accidents from the Burnley Station Rd side since living near the intersection for the last 13 years that I have seen. I feel the funds could be better utilized to make road improvements such as repaving Watts Passage because it has been over looked for some time as only to 'Patch Work' holes that do not last long at all. The inconvenience of the R-Cut also looks to increase people heading out into another county for purchasing supplies. Please do not consider this large amount of money (OUR Tax Dollars) for unnecessary changes that would NOT be of any improvement to our area
US 29/Frays Mill/ Burnley Station Intersection
This is not a difficult stop light and does not see many accidents. I can see the actual light from my yard, and rarely hear any issues. This would be a large inconvenience to the many people that live on these roads. I also have a concern for the bicyclist. Many bicyclist ride Burnley Station/Watts Passage and cross Rt29 to Frays Mill/Advance Mills. This would put them in danger as they would have to pull out into oncoming traffic cross 2 northbound lanes, make the u-turn, cross 2 south bound lanes and then make the turn, which currently would just be following the traffic light and crossing the road without much concern for oncoming traffic.
I am strongly opposed to the proposed R cut at the intersection of Rt 29 and Burnley Station/Frays Mill Rd. The current light works well for both safety and traffic flow. If safety is the concern, it could be further enhanced at a much less cost with the addition of yellow flashing signs warning drivers of the posted speed limit and the intersection. Forcing drivers to turn north, then merge into the far left lane to make a u-turn would only decrease safety. And the major traffic issues in this area at commute times are the back up of traffic to the south at Rt 29 and Boulders Rd, and to the north at Rt 29 and Rt 607 neither of which will be improved by the proposed R cut. In a time of possible decreasing tax revenue our tax dollars can be much more wisely spent.
I strongly support the Belmont - Monticello Trail/PVCC bike/running path! It's high time to leave our gasoline guzzlers at home and bike to the trailhead. The parking is crazy on the weekend! (Have you seen it?). Think of a family bike trip that starts at your house and ends with a lemonade at the Monticello tourist center. It's time to transform our cities! It's not the 60's anymore!
Return on investment:
Healthy population (more runners, bikers) --> more interest in outdoor events around town, races, gym classes, healthy eating
Biking/running gear purchases (BR Cyclery, Blue Wheel, Ragged Mountain Running Shop, Endeavor, Respect Cycles etc)
Monticello Tourist Center
Commuting PVCC/Monticello HS/Tandem School/Mill Creek area/PVCC <---> downtown
21st-century city image - for i-64 exit & Rt 20 drivers
Carter's Mountain could hugely benefit if connected via Carters Mnt Trail or even better via Montalto
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. This absurd plan will increase traffic to the southeast end of Watts Passage causing congestion on Preddy Creek Rd, Doctors Crossing; and the intersection with Rt20. Watts supports several school buses, two of which are special needs buses. The current volume of traffic is difficult enough for them to navigate. Denying the tax-paying citizens of this area the opportunity to turn left (south) onto Rt29 would create a new burden on us. We make that left turn to access Rivanna Station, UVA Research Park, and the Hollymead shops. Forcing us to turn north will merely result in people sliding into the passing lane to make the first U-Turn, resulting in accidents involving both north- and south-bound commuters. This project will only benefit commuters from other counties to the north whose property taxes would not contribute to this project - nor to your salaries! Please let the Good Idea Fairy land elsewhere.
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. I don’t see how installing an R-cut improves safety at this intersection. Years ago Rob Bell helped get a light installed to improve safety at this intersection. Removing the light and forcing all Burnley Station Road traffic to turn north, cross multiple lanes of traffic then make a U-turn into moving southbound traffic doesn’t seem like a safety improvement. The larger the vehicle, the more risky these maneuvers become. The risk factor is even greater for school buses trying to enter traffic. For these reasons I oppose this proposed change.
Removing this light is stupid and dangerous!
I strongly oppose the light removal at this intersection.
I OPPOSE the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. I think other steps could be taken. Currently most of the traffic coming out of Burnley Station Road is traveling north - this includes residents of the northern part of the county as well as residents visiting Preddy Creek Park - a heavily visited park for hikers, bicyclists, and horse riders. The backup for this traffic on Route 29 would be more dangerous. Additionally, traffic would be sent down Watts Passage - a narrow curvy road - which would end near an elementary school.
I strongly oppose the US29/Burnley Station Rd.proposed R cut project. The new plan is more dangerous than current conditions and punishes long time residents of this part of the county.
We are opposed to the US 29/ BURNLEY STATION RD / FRAYS MILL ROAD PROPOSED R-CUT project. We have lived near this intersection for over 20 years and despite the growth in the area, the light has worked fine since it was installed. The statistics cited in the proposal would suggest that any accidents occurring at this intersection are due to speeding and driver's not paying attention, something an R-Cut would not solve and only make worse. Further, the price tag for this project is outrageous compared to any benefits that might be realized. It is ironic that we had to fight for years to get a light and lower the grade in order to make this intersection safer, now we're having to fight to keep it. Please don't give in to the voices that want Rt 29 to be another interstate highway.
Route 29/641 light changes proposed. This is a busy intersection with most traffic heading 29S from Burnley Station RoadWhich is a left turn! Any changes would be deadly. There are many old and new neighborhoods on 641. There is also a county park ( Preddy’s) that involves more traffic and horse trailers. School buses also must make Left turn to head to schools in Albemarle.
I oppose the US 29/ Frays Mill/ Burnley Station Intersection Improvements. I have been using this intersection daily for the past 14 years (11 on the Frays Mill side, and the last 3 on the Burnley Station side). 14 years ago the light was not necessary, but with increased traffic it became so for traffic to turn off of these roads onto U.S. 29, and vice versa. What you propose would require drivers to make U-turns into the morning and evening traffic that necessitated the light in the first place. Currently there is the chance of an accident at that intersection if/when people run red lights. The design does not alleviate the chance of accidents at the intersection, and create 2 new places for potential accidents. I've not noticed any major backups at this intersection in the morning or evening. Cedar Grove further north seems to be a larger choke point for traffic moving north since it has been "fixed."
I am opposed to the 29/FraysMill/Burnley station rd proposed RCUT change to intersection. The County has not provided enough accident data to justify the expense and inconvenience of an RCUT. Why have less expensive alternatives not been thoroughly examined? No "solution" will reduce accidents to zero. Why not therefore choose one that is less intrusive and less expensive? Why not just post a cruiser with flashing lights during time periods with most accidents? Will cost a lot less than $7 million.