September 29, 2003

By Lee Graves

The University has received a green light to proceed with plans to build a limited-access North Grounds Connector that will help relieve traffic congestion at major events.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board’s approval of a link to the eastbound lanes of the U.S. 29/250 bypass paves the way for the University to construct the road.

"We are very pleased to have received approval for the North Grounds Connector from the Commonwealth Transportation Board," said Leonard Sandridge, U.Va. executive vice president and chief operating officer. "It will serve as the access road to the University's new arena and performing arts centers, and will help to keep event traffic moving smoothly and efficiently. We expect that this regional roadway will benefit the community as well, going a long way to relieve congestion on Emmet Street."

The $5 million connector, which will be built entirely with private money, is a vital element in the $129.8 million John Paul Jones Arena project. The road is expected to be finished when the arena is completed in 2006.

The connector will feed into Massie Road between the North Grounds Recreation Center and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. It will be accessible only from the eastbound lanes of the bypass.

During special events, the connector would be designed to carry as much as 50 percent of the traffic, with the rest shunted out both ends of Copeley Road to Ivy Road and Emmet Street, according to arena project director Richard Laurence. The eastern end of Massie Road would be blocked during events, so patrons will not be able to access Emmet Street from there, he said.

As currently designed, the connector will have two wide lanes, which will be broken into three lanes for events — two in-bound and one out-bound before, then two out-bound and one in-bound afterward. The 25 mph road will follow the contours of the terrain and will provide two-lane access to the North Grounds. Initially, the University will maintain the road, with eventual plans to turn it over to the state.