University of Virginia Library

Main Street Traffic

The board also went on record as
saying that the six-lane project could help
alleviate the snarling traffic conditions on Main
Street near the University.

Seemingly in answer to criticism of the
proposed project, the board stated as a fourth
reason that Preston would not become a
highway between two cities but that it would
simply be an improved street designed to serve
current and future traffic needs.

The board added that the proposed master
plan includes a four-lane project on Barracks
Road between 10th and Emmet Streets.

Perhaps a more important reason for the
endorsement is that the cost would be much
greater at this point for the city to reduce the
project to four lanes on Preston Avenue
because it would have to pay all the costs on
the original six-lane plans as well as costs on the
revised plans for a reduced project, according to
the highway department.