PROJECT HISTORY

On March 7, 2005, the City of Charlottesville passed a Resolution approving the location of the proposed Hillsdale Drive Extension utilizing the Alternative “C” alignment. On April 6, 2005, Albemarle County passed a similar resolution in support of the project. On July 21, 2005, the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the same location for the extension of Hillsdale Drive from Greenbrier Drive to Hydraulic Road in the City of Charlottesville.

This important transportation corridor will provide an alternative to the existing Route29 corridor for local traffic and improve access to existing and future businesses in this area. While we recognize that there was some public concern and opposition to the project during the Location Study, the City and County’s Resolutions stand to advance the project. Both the City and County are committed to moving this project forward in the best way for the local residents, commuters and businesses involved. We look forward to your input and suggestions to help us make positive decisions throughout the design process.

The City has selected the engineering firm of McCormick Taylor, Inc. to lead the design, environmental, communications, right-of-way and construction management tasks for this project.

The Location Study was administered by the City of Charlottesville and guided throughout the process by a Steering Committee that included City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County elected officials and staff, members of local businesses and surrounding community members. Four alternatives were considered as part of the study. In addition to the conceptual design features that were developed, traffic counts, noise readings and other information such as wetland delineation, endangered species, cultural resources and hazardous material investigations were conducted as part of the environmental document, which was finalized on February 8, 2006.

Throughout the entire Location Phase, the public was offered numerous opportunities to review the Study’s progress and to provide important insight into the development of the alternatives. On November 4, 2004, a Location Public Hearing was held at the Senior Center to present the results of the study. Ninety-seven individuals attended the hearing, many of whom provided written or oral comments while many others submitted written comments during the 10 days following the hearing

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The City of Charlottesville’s March 7, 2005 Resolution also included ten conditions which were developed by the Steering Committee and supported by the City.

Relevant Documents

Hillsdale Drive Location Study Report

The Hillsdale Drive Location Study was undertaken to determine the best location for an extension of Hillsdale Drive. The study followed the process established by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Review the complete Location Study Report »

Review the Resolution of the Commonwealth Transportation Board »

The Impact of Hillsdale Drive Extension on Local Businesses and Economy

The Firm of Chmura Economics and Analytics was hired by the City of Charlottesville to estimate the economic impact of the Hillsdale Drive Extension. This Report was developed as part of the Location Study.

Review the complete report »

Hillsdale Drive Extension Environmental Assessment

A Draft Environmental Assessment was developed for the Location Study. This Document evaluated environmental impacts for all of the alternative alignments which were under consideration during the Location Study.

Review the full Environmental Assessment (6 MB) »