WVIR: Pedestrian Bridge Work Begins Tuesday, Sept. 24 on Route 29

Construction on pedestrian bridge across US 29 to begin this week (29news.com)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – A new pedestrian bridge is coming to the Hydraulic corridor on U.S. 29, just north of the Zan Road intersection.

Construction is set to begin Tuesday, September 24.

Will Stowe is with the Virginia Department of Transportation and project manager.

“We really saw a need a couple years ago for a safer pedestrian crossing across Route 29,″ Stowe said. “That was really what kicked off wanting to get a bridge built for pedestrians to safely cross.”

Stowe said several people have died while crossing U.S. 29 near where the bridge will be built, and he said a safer alternative is needed. Stowe also said he expects the addition of the walking bridge to increase foot traffic in the area.

“First off, its safety base to try to get people grade-separated from the traffic on Route 29 but hopefully it will also encourage a lot of people to walk from Stonefield over to the other side of 29 and vice versa,” Stowe said.

This project is the next phase of a $30-million contract to improve the Hydraulic corridor.

“We’ve been working on mostly the design and construction of the roundabout that was just built near Whole Foods and some other improvements along Hydraulic Road,” Stowe said. “And now we’re kind of going into the next phase of this contract.”

Stowe said the bridge is slated to open next fall. But, he said drivers should not be too worried about traffic around the construction site.

“We hope not to delay folks,” Stowe said. “It’s really a simple work zone. We won’t be changing anybody’s routes or anybody’s movement, so hopefully we won’t see any delays.”

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