The Eastern Connector is envisioned to connect Route 20 and Rio Road with a road that would cross the Rivanna River on a new bridge and travel near or through Pen Park. In 2008, after a $500,000 study which recommended that alignment, Charlottesville and Albemarle both put the project on hold in part because of a lack of data on expected usage. The project is under consideration once again [read more] as part of an update of our long-range transportation plan.
The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has applied for a $250,000 federal grant to study the ecological impacts of the road and identify potential “show stoppers” that would undermine public support and otherwise prevent construction.
