Free Bridge Congestion Relief Study: Free Bridge: A Planning History November 18, 2013 Charlottesville Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission Source: http://charlottesvillethenandnow.blogspot.com/2012/05/flood-of-72.html
History of Free Bridge: Why is Free Bridge Called Free Bridge? • In 1762 the Virginia General Assembly approved construction of a tolled bridge into Charlottesville. While several bridges were constructed in the interim none were ever tolled. • Historical Notes 1. Free Bridge was built in 1801 to replace Moore’s Ford in this location. 2. By 1870, this covered bridge was built. It was the fifth bridge on the site. 3. In the 1950s the bridge was replaced again with a modern 4-lane bridge as part of the 250 Bypass. 4. In 1993 the bridge was replaced and expanded to 7 lanes. Source: http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2167058 2
History of Free Bridge: 1) Source: http://fedoraproxy.lib.virginia.edu/fedora/objects/uva-lib:2167057/methods/djatoka:StaticSDef/getStaticImage 3 2) Source: https://www.readthehook.com/102411/second-glance-free-bridge-design-delight
Development Pantops When did Pantops become “our” Pantops? • Original land grant was executed in 1734. • In 1746 Peter Jefferson began purchasing the land, expanding his Shadwell Property. • Thomas Jefferson inherited the property in 1797 and gave it to his daughter Maria. • The first structure was built in 1825 by owner James Leitch. • The Pantops Academy operated out of the former Leitch from 1879 to 1903. 4 Source: http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:84347
Pantops 1957 5 Source: http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/
Pantops 1989 6 Source: http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/
Pantops 1994 7 Source: Google Earth, Historical Imagery
Pantops 2003 8 Source: Google Earth, Historical Imagery
Pantops 2013 9 Source: Google Earth, Historical Imagery
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNDEVELOPED COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL GOVERNMENT RELIGIOUS CHARITABLE EDUCATIONAL OTHER VETERANS 10 Source: City and County GIS records
Planning History City of Charlottesville Albemarle County 1. 1959, Bartholomew Master Plan 1. 1971, Comprehensive Plan • • First master plan in the region Commercial along US 250 • Park Land along river 2. City of Charlottesville Comprehensive Plans • Low/Medium residential development • 1979, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2013 2. Mid- 1990s, Neighborhood 3 Study 3. 1988, Urban Design Plan • First plan to study Pantops independently • Free Bridge = Entrance Corridor 3. 2008, Pantops Master Plan • High Street = Commercial Corridor • Most recent study of Pantops • 12 principles of the Neighborhood Model 11
Proffit Road Planning History Regional Plans 1. Early-1990s, Initial Western Bypass Alignment Study • Considered alignments in Pantops Pen Park Road 2. Early 2000s, Eastern Planning Initiative • Focused on impact of land development patterns 3. 2009, Eastern Connector Study • Focuses on the development of transportation alternatives to Polo Grounds Road alleviate congestion issues at Pantops and Free Bridge. 12 Source: Eastern Connector Study
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 2010 Base 2040 Base S Pantops State Farm 2-lane Eastern 4-lane Eastern Limited Access Widening I-64 S Pantops Connector & Connector Connector Connector Connector on US 250 and US 250/US 29 2-lane Eastern Connector Volume 52,253 68,569 58,181 61,664 59,393 55,330 65,679 65,583 52,653 Eastbound 26,967 34,574 29,211 30,909 29,951 27,740 33,513 33,443 26,482 Free Bridge Westbound 25,286 33,995 28,970 30,755 29,443 27,591 32,166 32,140 26,171 Capacity 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 45,600 v/c Ratio 1.15 1.50 1.28 1.35 1.30 1.21 1.44 1.44 1.15 Not enough 1 of 8 cars 1 of 8 cars 1 of 3 cars 1 of 5 cars 1 of 4 cars 1 of 4 cars 1 of 6 cars 3 of 10 cars 3 of 10 cars capacity for S Pantops Eastern Connector Volume 16,558 14,697 17,025 24,734 11,849 15,883 Proposed Connector Eastbound 8,465 7,735 8,538 12,624 5,837 8,163 Westbound 8,093 6,962 8,487 12,109 6,012 7,720 Capacity 17,000 17,000 17,000 34,000 17,000 17,000 v/c Ratio 0.97 0.86 1.00 0.73 0.70 0.93 Total Trips 52,253 68,569 74,739 76,361 76,418 80,064 65,679 65,583 80,385 The MPO’s travel demand model is tool that estimates regional travel demand based on existing data and inputs. The analysis provided is a regional 13 approximation and is not meant to represent exactly future traffic patterns.
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 14
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 2010 Base, Free Bridge 2040 Base, Free Bridge Free Bridge Free Bridge 15 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 1) South Pantops Drive, 2040 2) State Farm Blvd, 2040 Free Bridge Free Bridge State Farm Blvd S. Pantops Drive 16 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 4) 4-Lane Eastern Connector, 2040 3) 2-Lane Eastern Connector, 2040 Free Bridge Free Bridge 4-Lane Eastern Connector 2-Lane Eastern Connector 17 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 6) Widening US 29/250 and I-64, 2040 5) Limited Access on 250, 2040 Free Bridge Free Bridge 18 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Congestion and Alternatives 7) S. Pantops Drive AND 2-Lane Eastern Connector, 2040 Free Bridge S. Pantops Drive 2-Lane Eastern Connector 19 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Trip Distribution, Area Destinations Total Trips Crossing Free Bridge 68,569 Trips 11,195 trips 15,483 trips 10,865 trips 14,226 trips 16,800 trips or 16% or 23% or 15% or 21% or 25% Outside MPO 29 North City Elsewhere in Pantops the MPO 20 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Free Bridge: Trip Distribution, Network 21 Source: MPO Travel Demand Model
Modeling Conclusions • All alternatives considered will provide temporary congestion relief for Free Bridge – With all projects Free Bridge is still filling up and becoming highly congested • Free Bridge is too attractive to provide permanent congestion relief – Free Bridge provides a lot of access and connectivity, making the route extremely attractive for use. • Trips on Free Bridge Distribute both locally and regionally – Key attractions are the City, Pantops and US 29 north • Connection location impacts traffic types – North of Free Bridge: Regional Traffic – South of Free Bridge: Local Traffic • There is no “Silver Bullet” solution for dealing with congestion issues at Free Bridge. 22
Questions? Contact Information: Sarah Rhodes MPO Program Manager Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (434) 979-7310 srhodes@tjpdc.org 23
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