A timeline to follow the development of the U.S. 29 Western Bypass Plan, a limited-access road bypassing commercial areas of U.S. Route 29 to the west of Charlottesville.
Created by cvilletomorrow on Jun 9, 2011
Last updated: 12/21/11 at 10:07 AM
The Commonwealth Transportation Board is scheduled to award a contract to both design and build the Western Bypass. The contract will automatically go to the lowest qualified bidder.
http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/designbuild/29chv/Route_29_Bypass_RFP_9-27-2011.pdf
VDOT will accept proposals to design and build the Western Bypass through April 17, 2012.
http://www.virginiadot.org/business/request-for-proposals.asp
Of the ten firms that gave VDOT Submittals of Qualifications, nine were given the pass by VDOT to turn in full proposals, which will be due April 17, 2012.
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/culpeper/2011/9_firms_qualified_for55531.asp
The Virginia Department on Transportation announced that 10 firms have submitted responses during the first phase of VDOT’s request for proposals for the U.S. 29 Western Bypass. Firms that VDOT determines to be qualified will be allowed to continue on to the second stage of the process and enter formal bids for the 6.2-mile bypass by April 17.
VDOT issues addendum to RFP that further refines the scope of the work that will be undertaken by the successful contractor. Requests that construction be limited to 12 hours a day and that construction noise not exceed 80 decibels were not included in the addendum. However,
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/11/bypass-addendum.html
Albemarle County Supervisors unanimously endorse a set of recommendations made by a Supervisor Dennis Rooker's task force. It was convened to provide public input on the design of the Western Bypass of U.S. 29.
The resolution was forwarded to VDOT officials responsible for preparing an addendum to the request for proposals that was initially issued in late September.
http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/Forms_Center/Departments/Board_of_Supervisors/Forms/Agenda/2011Files/1102/JackJouettCommitteeBypassResolution.pdf
A calendar included as part of the request for proposals for the Western Bypass anticipates that the Federal Highway Administration will complete its environmental assessment by the end of October 2012. This was originally expected to occur by the end of September 2012. If the assessment does not result in a wider environmental study, the contractor will be given a notice to proceed with design and construction work. This date will most likely change.
A motion by Charlottesville City Councillor Kristin Szakos to change the MPO's policy on the bypass fails because she could not get a fellow member to second it.
Szakos had wanted the MPO to require the environmental review to be complete before the RFP was awarded. City Councilor Satyendra Huja was not present and could not second the motion.
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/09/mpo-bypass-vote.html
A motion by City Councilor Kristin Szakos to require environment reviews before issuance of request for proposals is denied on a 2-3 vote.
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/09/mpo-bypass-vote.html
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/statewide/2011/vdot_issues_request_for54540.asp
VDOT issued a request for proposals for firms to both design and build the Western BYpass of U.S. 29.
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/statewide/2011/vdot_issues_request_for54540.asp
The Metropolitan Planning Organization approves amendment to its 2011-2012 Transportation Improvement Plan; removing language that would block the allocation of funds for the Western Bypass. Amendment is approved in a 3-2 vote with both representatives from the City voting in opposition.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/07/bypass-approval.html
Commonwealth Transportation Board meets to discuss issues of funding for the Western Bypass. Approves reallocation of $197.4 million for the construction of the project; provides full funding for total $233 million cost estimate.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/07/ctb-funds-bypass.html
Metropolitan Planning Organization meets to discuss amending the 2011-2012 Transportation Improvement Program to include the Western Bypass.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/07/mpo-bypass.html
Board of Supervisors hold first public hearing regarding Western Bypass. 108 people, both for and against the project, sign up to speak.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/news/2011/07/residents-come-out-in-droves-to-oppose-western-bypass.html
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transportation Plan Citizen Advisory Committee, or CHART, discusses the meeting at its July 5, 2011 meeting. The group issues a statement saying they cannot support funding the bypass until more information is known about how it will be paid for, and whether its construction will prevent other transportation projects from being built.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/07/chart-bypass.html
VDOT Commissioner Gregory Whirley sends formal letter to Stephen Williams, the County Board of Supervisors, and Charlottesville City Council, giving “reasonable assurance” for full funding for the Western Bypass. The letter also states that funding will not be taken from other projects to pay for the bypass.
Whirley also formally requests the MPO amend its long-range transportation plan to allow for funding to be allocated towards the bypass.
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/news/2011/06/reasonable-assurance-given-for-bypass-funding.html
Stephen Williams, Executive Director of the MPO, reports he expects to hold two public hearings concerning the Western Bypass.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/06/bypass-public-hearings-1.html
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton emails Delegate David J. Toscano detailing why bypass needs to be completed; one reason is to prevent VDOT from having to repay the FHWA. Connaughton says no guarantee FHWA would grant VDOT a time extension; Rooker believes information is inaccurate.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/jun/25/fate-30m-spent-right-way-debated-ar-1133701/
James Utterback, District Administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Culpeper District, sends an email to Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission's (TJPDC) executive director Stephen Williams, informing him that one single public hearing “is all that will be required for the MPO Policy Board to decide if they want to add this project to the plans.” Williams, however, insists that two will be required.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/06/bypass-public-hearings-1.html
CTB adopts $8.3 billion six year improvement program for highway construction; no additional funding allocated for proposed Western Bypass.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/06/ctb-bypass.html
Shortly before midnight, Supervisor Lindsay Dorrier tells the Board he wants to switch his vote from previous week because Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton personally assured him the project would be fully funded. The board votes 4-2 to suspend its rules allowing a motion on an item not on the agenda. The board then votes 4-2 to direct its MPO representatives to remove language from TIP opposing the bypass.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/06/western-bypass-revival.html
Supervisor Rodney Thomas makes motion calling for Board of Supervisors to direct its MPO members to vote in favor of removing block against construction funding. The vote results in a 3-3 tie and the motion passes. The item is not on the agenda.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/06/western-bypass-debate.html
County Supervisor Rodney Thomas calls for the MPO to reconsider its 2002 resolution that blocks construction funding from being allocated to the bypass. He claims that his action is to allow for discussion of any bypass option.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/05/mpo-bypass-policy.html
Phase I of the Virginia Statewide Multimodal Freight Study identifies U.S. 29 through Charlottesville as a bottleneck for freight carried through the state.
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/vtrans/resources/VA_Statewide_Multimodal_Freight_Study_Final%20Report%20COMPLETE.pdf
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopts Places29 Master Plan after years of discussion. During its evolution, grade-separated interchanges at key intersections had been emphasized, but they were de-emphasized by the board before adoption.
Chapter 8 of the main includes a narrative for why the bypass was not considered as part of the plan.
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/02/places29-adoption.html
Stephen Williams. Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), addresses CTB in Roanoke to voice why Western Bypass is not favored by local officials.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2010/12/ctb-presentation.html
Senator Steve Newman tells Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce that he has requested a meeting with Governor McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to attempt to get project pushed through.
Photo Credit: City of Lynchburg
http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/dec/07/lawmakers-talk-29-bypass-reform-marijuana-chamber--ar-701649/
Lynchburg City Council passes resolution, calls on the state to re-open a study of a U.S. 29 bypass around Charlottesville.
Copy of Resolution
Photo Credit: City of Lynchburg City Council
http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2010/nov/09/city-council-asks-state-reconsider-29-bypass-ar-642969/
VDOT presents Route 29 Corridor Study to the CTB, bypass options around Charlottesville omitted. Study not accepted by the Board, subcommittee is formed to continue work.
http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2010/dec/27/charlottesville-bypass-again-being-sought-ar-739188/
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors votes 5-1 to ask Parsons to drop consideration of the use of land purchases for the bypass for other road projects to alleviate congestion. Supervisor Ken Boyd is the lone vote against.
“I strongly believe that we need that route on the western side, whether you call it a parkway or a parallel road or a bypass,” Boyd said. “I’m not willing to say totally take that western bypass property off the map.”
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2009/10/supervisors-resolution.html
Officials conducting state wide study of U.S. 29 stop in Charlottesville as part of “listening tour” to gather comments about the highway’s future. Joe Springer, project manager for Parsons Transportation Group says right of way from Western Bypass is part of the study.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2009/02/29_corridor_study.html
Commonwealth Transportation Board hires the Parsons Transportation Group to conduct a $1.5 million U.S. 29 Corridor Study.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2008/12/mpo_december_2008.html
Butch Davies, Culpeper District Representative on the Commonwealth Transportation Board discusses Western Bypass with Planning and Coordination Council.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2008/05/pacc_projects.html
Presidents of the Danville (Laurie Moran) and Lynchburg (Rex Hammond) Chambers of Commerce meet with the North Charlottesville Business Council (NCBC) to give their view of the draft of the Places29 Master Plan.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2008/04/ncbc_us29.html
County Board of Supervisors vote to remove Ruckersville Parkway project as an option under consideration in the Places29 Master Plan.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2006/04/supervisors_tab.html
Supervisor Ken Boyd asks for consideration of the Western 29 Bypass as part of the Places 29 Master Planning Process.
Photo Credit: Cvillepedia
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2006/03/boyd_seeks_cons.html
Former Delegate Mitch Van Yahres presents Ruckersville Parkway in presentation held by Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population. He is joined by Bern Ewert and Gary Okerlund. The road would use a portion of the right of way.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2005/12/ruckersville_pa_1.html
State Senator Stephen Newman (R-Lynchburg) files bill that seeks to force MPO to repay funds for bypass if it is not built.
Copy of Bill
Photo Credit: Virginia Independent Energy Alliance
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?041+sum+SB670S
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismisses an appeal filed by the SELC.
http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/012286.U.pdf
MPO adopts resolution that prevents funding from being allocated for construction of Western Bypass with inclusion of “2002 Pre-Allocation Statement."
"The MPO believes that the best solution to traffic congestion in this corridor will be accomplished by improvements within the corridor rather than the construction of the Route 29 Bypass."
Photo Credit: Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization
http://www.tjpdc.org/agendas_and_minutes/mpoPoli/11_07_14/Item_6d.pdf
Supervisor Dennis Rooker files transactional disclosure statement with the county attorney’s office explaining his potential conflict of interest involving the proposed Western Bypass of U.S. 29. Rooker and his wife own 7.1% of Roslyn Ridge LC, which owns a portion of land adjacent to the bypass.
http://www.cvillepedia.org/mediawiki/images/20020616-Rooker-Bypass-Disclosure.pdf
Sally Thomas, Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, sends letter to Governor Warner, asking to meet with administration to discuss eliminating Western Bypass from State’s Six Year Transportation Plan.
Photo Credit: Virginia Department of Historic Resources
http://www.readthehook.com/files/article-documents/cover-bypassed-SupeLetter2002.pdf
The Federal Highway Administration signs the supplemental environmental impact statement required following the SELC case.
http://www.tjpdc.org/agendas_and_minutes/char/11_07_05/Item_3d.pdf
The Southern Environmental Law Center files appeal on behalf of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit asking for a new judgment.
Judge Norman K. Moon grants one of nine counts alleged by the Southern Environmental Law Center in their case. Moon finds that the FHWA violated the National Environmental Policy Act by issuing a "finding of no significant impact" in evaluating the impact of a bypass that crosses the South Fork Rivanna River.
http://www.vawd.uscourts.gov/OPINIONS/MOON/98-04-CPIEDMONTSUMMARYJUDGMENT.PDF
VDOT finalizes last parcel purchase for Western Bypass., but several other parcels along route are not purchased. In total, 62 parcels were purchased at a cost of $33.7 million.
Photo Credit: Charlottesville Tomorrow
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2011/05/mpo-bypass-policy.html
Federal Highway Administration issues reevaluation of Environmental Impact Statement that was called for because of design changes.
Photo Credit: Federal Highway Administration
http://www.vawd.uscourts.gov/OPINIONS/MOON/98-04-CPIEDMONTSUMMARYJUDGMENT.PDF
Charlottesville-Albemarle Transportation Coalition, Inc (CATCO) released publication titled Route 29 Bypass (Alternative 10), commonly referred to as the “Green Book.”
Photo Credit: Piedmont Environmental Council
http://www.pecva.org/anx/index.cfm/1,478,709,-1,html
MPO adopts Transportation Improvement Program 1999-2000, continues to leave Bypass off the TIP.
http://www.tjpdc.org/agendas_and_minutes/char/11_07_05/Item_3b.pdf
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