VDOT still believes that an at-grade intersection at McIntire Road and Route 250 Bypass would work for Meadowcreek Parkway.

What is VDOT thinking?

Here is VDOT's press release concerning submittal of the permit request from the United States Army Corps of Engineers regarding the McIntire Road Extended project.City Council does not support an at-grade intersection yet VDOT apparently believes this will get them a US Army Corps of Engineers permit to begin construction of the McIntire Road Extended portion of the Meadow Creek Parkway. What about the interchange? Is any of this defensible?

VDOT Press Release:

VDOT PROVIDES PERMIT INFORMATION TO CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Plans include clarification of McIntire Road Extended project's southern terminus

CULPEPER - The Virginia Department of Transportation has provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the information requested by the Corps to continue its review of a permit application for the McIntire Road Extended project in Charlottesville.

VDOT has submitted project plans showing an at-grade intersection with the Route 250 Bypass at McIntire Road. This was the original design for the road's connection with Route 250 and McIntire Road that was approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in 1999. When the city of Charlottesville requested that VDOT consider a grade-separated interchange, and federal funds were allocated for that project, the McIntire Road Extended project was redesigned and shortened to tie into the interchange access ramps. As part of the response VDOT also provided communications from the Federal Highway Administration that established the independent utility, or benefit, of both the interchange and McIntire Road Extended if either is constructed without the other being built.

In mid-July the Corps of Engineers requested that VDOT provide additional information and project plans showing the southern terminus of the McIntire Road Extended project. The Corps is reviewing the project to ensure compliance with federal requirements for construction work in certain waterways. The permit is required for this project to allow a box culvert to be placed in a tributary of Schenks Branch that will carry the stream beneath McIntire Road Extended.

The McIntire Road Extended project is scheduled to be advertised for construction bids later this year, with construction anticipated to begin in the spring of 2010. The project should be completed in late 2011 or early 2012, approximately the same time as the Meadowcreek Parkway and Route 250 interchange projects.