University of Virginia Library

Officials Discuss Preston Avenue Widening

By Parkes Brittain

Charlottesville City Manager Cole
Hendrix told the City Council Monday
night of further talks with the "higher
echelon" of the state agency concerning a
reduction of the proposed widening of
Preston Avenue from six lanes to four.

Mr. Hendrix said that in last Friday's
meeting, highway officials reported no
acquisitions of right of way along the
proposed route. The officials also
inquired if the project could be cut back
to four lanes with left turning lanes and
medians, if the city of Charlottesville
desired.

Mr. Hendrix added in the informal
session the state officials felt the
six-lane project was in keeping with current
state design standards and that it should remain
as planned.

The officials informed city authorities that
if they decided to reduce the project,
Charlottesville will have to compensate for
plans already drawn up which will be useless in
the restudy. The estimate of these expenses
runs between $50,000 and $70,000.

Mr. Hendrix noted that traffic flow on
Preston Ave could be improved without
widening it if certain measures, such as
rescheduling of traffic signals and employing
smaller turnoffs, were taken. He expressed
concern for residents in the area and said that
as soon as all the solutions were available
officials should act immediately to inform
property owners of the precise situation.

In another meeting held at the suggestion of
Mr. Hendrix and Mayor Mitchell Van Yahres in
Richmond on Monday, it was disclosed that
Charlottesville may find itself serving as a
junction for three railway routes under the
nation-wide Railpax system.

The Department of Transportation has
suggested three alternate routes to the
quasi-government corporation. One would run
from New York to New Orleans through
Charlottesville.