Eastern Ave/250 – Dead
- In 2023, VDOT increased the cost estimate for the southern section to 250 from $24.7 million to $39.5 million. The portion not covered by revenue sharing rost to $23.3 million.
- Later in the year, VDOT added an environmental factor to the priority scoring system: the project plummeted from #8 to an estimated #78 in County priority. Whether #78, #68, or #58, it isn’t happening
- The Eastern Avenue/250 Connector is no longer feasible: County Transportation Planner Kevin McDermott acknowledged Feb 21 that the project is not competitive for SmartScale, and that much of the cost increase is due to inflation, not just added contingency estimates. Cost cutting measures are not enough. A short segment built to access new development is not enough. CIP funds are not enough.
- County is discussing a PPTA/Public Private Partnership model. Although Eastern Avenue is mentioned among several possible projects in the Recommended FY25 5-Year CIP Transportation Leveraging Program, history has shown that Eastern Avenue never makes the cut for funds. The Transportation Priority Scoring system remains the same. Will staff recommend a $17 million project for Crozet? Will the Board of Supervisors approve that number for Crozet?
- Crozet residents are expected to accept a trail with a bridge across Lickinghole Creek as replacement transportation for Eastern Ave. Yes, in the dark, snow, rain, and mud, residents will travel about a mile each way on foot or bike to do their weekly family grocery shopping, carry home improvement supplies for weekend projects, and seek medical care. Will that be an ADA accessible trail on the steep slopes?
Eastern Ave/240 – Deleted
- The 2010 Crozet Master Plan describes Eastern Avenue from 250 to 240/Three Notch’d on page 39. ”Eastern Avenue will extend from Three Notch’d Road to Routh 250 West through the existing Cory Farm development and will involve a bridge over Lickinghole Creek, a bridge or underpass to cross the CSX tracks to the north, and numerous connection to neighborhood streets. Eastern Avenue has been recommended in County plans for over 30 years, and right-of-way for this street has ben dedicated or reserved in some places. It is expected to be built by developers during construction of their projects, except for the bridge over Lickinghole Creek. Aside from construction, truck traffic should not be allowed on this road which will function as an avenue. Construction phasing is prioritized to begin at the northern end of the project.” (bold added)
- Between 2010 and 2021, Riverbend developed Foothill Crossing, Westlake Hills and Glenbrook, without making a connection to 240/Three Notch’d.
- 2021 Crozet Transportation Study published in June 2021 is based on the Eastern Avenue Connection from 250 to Three Notch’d/240. All traffic analyses based on this Study now are incorrect because the connections will never be made. All Land Use designations based on this Study are flawed. All residents told “don’t worry, your unsafe road will be better after the Eastern Ave Connector is built”, were duped.
- 2021 Crozet Master Plan published in October 2021 deletes the Eastern Ave connection to Three Notch’d/240 from the Future Street Network Map. It is official: there will never be an Eastern Avenue Connector from 240 to 250.
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