CU-25-01: U.S. Route 29 - Albemarle County
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I-64 Interchange (Exit 118) to north of Fontaine Avenue Interchange
Project Purpose
The study area includes U.S. Route 29 from Teel Lane to north of the Fontaine Avenue interchange. Three previous projects have been funded related to this area: removing the loop ramp from U.S. Route 29 southbound to I-64 eastbound to eliminate weaving on I-64 (constructed); adding a choice exit lane to the northbound Fontaine Avenue interchange; and relocating the left-turn movement from U.S. Route 29 northbound to I-64 westbound (funded through SMART SCALE Round 5) through the Fontaine Avenue interchange. As part of the removal of the loop ramp, the southbound to eastbound movement is now being made via left turns from U.S. Route 29 southbound to get onto I-64 eastbound facilitated by a signal and a short, double left-turn lane. Traffic is currently backing up at that signal, and there are significant safety concerns at that location as a result. This study will also look to improve the small park and ride lot located on the east side of U.S. Route 29 northbound just south of the interchange on Teal Lane.
Survey
The Phase 2 survey regarding proposed alternatives for the U.S. 29 corridor between Route 1106 (Teel Lane) — near the Interstate 64 interchange at exit 118 — to north of the Fontaine Avenue interchange in Albemarle County was completed in November 2025. The study team will use the input obtained from the public as it refines the alternatives and performs planning-level cost estimation before selecting the preferred alternative(s) to address the identified needs.
Study Partners
- Albemarle County
- Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Jaunt
- Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)
Key Points of Contact
District Lead: Charles Proctor and Sandy Shackelford
Lead Consultant: Dan Goldfarb
Schedule
Start date: March 2025
End date: August 2026
Study Documents
| Dates | Number of Participants (unique individuals) |
|---|---|
|
June 2-16, 2025
|
450 |
| The following needs have been identified for this study. Do you agree with these needs? | |
|---|---|
| Capacity preservation (keep traffic flowing smoothly) | 91% |
| Safety | 88% |
| Transportation demand management (TDM) | 67% |
| Rank the following needs in order of importance to you along the study area. | |
|---|---|
| Reducing traffic congestion | 96% |
| Corridor safety / Intersection safety | 90% |
| Speeding / aggressive driving | 82% |
| Proper pavement marking and signage | 81% |
| Which of the following safety issues concern you? | |
|---|---|
| Sudden stopping / rear-end crashes | 80% |
| Difficulty weaving / merging | 65% |
| Speeding / aggressive driving | 54% |
| Running red lights | 29% |
| Side-impact crashes | 29% |
| Inadequate pavement marking and signage | 28% |
| Inadequate lighting | 20% |
| Inadequate transit / bus stops | 10% |
| Other | 7% |
| Closely spaced driveways | 6% |
| What mode(s) of travel do you use when traveling along the study area? | |
|---|---|
| Personal vehicle | 99% |
| Truck or commercial vehicle | 5% |
| Taxi / Uber / Lyft | 2% |
| Walking | 2% |
| Cycling | 2% |
| Carpool / Vanpool | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
| Metro bus, local bus, or commuter bus | 1% |
CU-25-01 Phase 1 Executive Summary - PDF, 700KB
The Phase 2 survey regarding proposed alternatives for the U.S. 29 corridor between Route 1106 (Teel Lane) — near the Interstate 64 interchange at exit 118 — to north of the Fontaine Avenue interchange in Albemarle County was completed in November 2025.
| Dates | Number of Participants (unique individuals) |
|---|---|
|
November 7-21, 2025
|
378 |
Alternative 1: Implement Wide Median U-Turn
Alternative 1 would implement a wide-median U-turn between the I-64 interchange and Gold Eagle Drive F-178/Teel Lane. This proposed alternative addresses the long queues at the U.S. 29 south to I-64 east on-ramp signal by closing the existing median crossover and relocating the movement to a safer location, increasing the left-turn storage area, and reducing red-light running at the intersection.
Please rate Alternative 1 on a scale of 1 to 5. (1 = Strongly oppose; 5 = Strongly support)
| 1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alternative 1: Implement Wide Median U-turn Between the I-64 Interchange and Gold Eagle Drive/Teel Lane
|
56% | 16% | 12% | 12% | 5% |
Alternative 2: Shift the I-64 East On-Ramp and Signal
Alternative 2 would shift the I-64 east on-ramp and signal 100 feet to the south. This proposed alternative addresses the long queues at the U.S. 29 south to I-64 east on-ramp signal by increasing the left-turn storage area and maintaining the existing vehicle movement for the on-ramp.
Please rate Alternative 2 on a scale of 1 to 5. (1 = Strongly oppose; 5 = Strongly support)
| 1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alternative 2: Shift I-64 East On-Ramp and Signal
|
37% | 22% | 17% | 17% | 7% |
Alternative 3: Reintroduce the U.S. 29 South to I-64 East Ramp
Alternative 3 involves:
- Reintroducing the U.S. 29 south to I-64 east on-ramp loop
- Removing the loop ramp from I-64 east to U.S. 29 north and combining I-64 east traffic to U.S. 29 north and south to a ramp with a signalized intersection at U.S. 29.
Please rate Alternative 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. (1 = Strongly oppose; 5 = Strongly support)
| 1. Strongly oppose | 2. Somewhat oppose | 3. Neutral | 4. Somewhat support | 5. Strongly support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alternative 3: Reintroduce the U.S. 29 South to I-64 East On-Ramp, Remove the Loop Ramp from I-64 East to U.S. 29 North, and Combine I-64 East Traffic to U.S. 29 North and South to a Ramp with a Signalized Intersection at U.S. 29
|
23% | 14% | 10% | 23% | 31% |
Last updated: December 10, 2025
