Under Construction: Albemarle Co. Design-Build Projects (6)

Overview
VDOT has combined six projects in Albemarle County into one design-build contract. Curtis Contracting Inc, of West Point was awarded the $28.5 million design-build contract in July 2019. Wallace Montgomery will provide design services. The following six projects will be constructed:
- Interstate 64 at exit 118 Interchange Modifications
- Interstate 64 at exit 124 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)
- Fontaine Avenue Ramp Improvements
- Construction of Roundabout at Route 250 and Route 151
- Construction of Roundabout at Route 20 and Route 649
- Rio Mills Road/Berkmar Drive Connection
Construction Schedule
PHASE I (UNDER CONSTRUCTION):
- Interstate 64 at exit 118 interchange modifications
- Fontaine Avenue ramp improvements
PHASE II (starting Fall 2020):
- Rio Mills Road/Berkmar Drive Connection
- Interstate 64 at exit 124 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)
PHASE III (starting spring 2021):
- Construction of Roundabout at Route 250 and Route 151
- Construction of Roundabout at Route 20 and Route 649
Under Construction
Fontaine Avenue Ramp Improvements:
This project involves adding an option lane—through/right-merge lane—at the Fontaine Avenue exit from northbound Route 29. The project will ease current weaving issues and remove conflict points.
Project Cost: $2.9 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $600,000
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $300,000
- Construction: $2 million
UPC 111813
Interstate 64 at exit 118 Interchange Modifications:
This project involves eliminating the loop ramp from southbound Route 29 to eastbound I-64. A dual left-turn lane and a connection to the existing ramp from northbound Route 29 to eastbound I-64 will be constructed. This modification will eliminate two weave movements that have been identified as a factor in many crashes.
Click here to view graphics of each phase of construction
Drivers on southbound Route 29 wanting to access eastbound I-64 should stay left and use the new left-turn lanes controlled by the traffic signal. Motorists on northbound Route 29 should be prepared to stop. The old on-ramp is permanently closed.
(Click on the image below to view larger versions)
Project Cost: $1.8 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $265,000
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $0
- Construction: $1.6 million
UPC 111727
Rio Mills Road/Berkmar Drive Connection:
This project will construct a quarter-mile, two-lane road to connect Rio Mills Road to the recently completed Berkmar Drive Extended. The work will include bike lanes and a shared-use path that connects to the bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Berkmar Drive Extended.
Project Cost: $3.8 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $850,000
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $500,000
- Construction: $2.45 million
UPC 109397
Coming Soon
Interstate 64 at exit 124 Diverging Diamond Interchange:
This project will build a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on Route 250 and make other low-cost improvements for safety and congestion relief. The work also includes ramp improvements, new signals and signal upgrades, drainage improvements and utility relocations.
By shifting vehicles to the opposite side of the road, this design eliminates traditional left turns that cross over oncoming traffic.
The DDI improves safety by reducing the number of spots where vehicles could collide and can handle more than 600 left-turn movements per hour, twice the capacity of a conventional interchange.
Virginia’s first DDI opened in 2014 at the I-64/Route 15 interchange at Zion Crossroads in Louisa County.
Click here to see a graphic of the sequence of construction
Project Cost: $18.4 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $2.3 million
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $1.1 million
- Construction: $15 million
VDOT--Route 250 DDI AM Peak Traffic Projection
VDOT--Route 250 DDI PM Peak Traffic Projection
FHWA--Alternative Intersections: Diverging Diamond Interchange [Video]
FHWA--Alternative Intersections: Restricted Crossing U-Turns [Video]
UPC 111814
Construction of Roundabout at Route 250 and Route 151:
The intersection of Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) and Route 151 (Critzers Shop Road) in Afton, near the Nelson County line, will be reconstructed as a roundabout.
In recent years there have been an increasing number of crashes at this intersection. This project will improve operations and safety at the busy intersection while managing traffic speeds and correcting geometric deficiencies that have been identified as contributing factors in crashes at the intersection.
A temporary signal was installed in April 2017 as an intermediate measure. Advance warning flashers and inlane rumble strips have also been installed on the downhill eastbound Route 250 approach to slow traffic.
Project Cost: $5.8 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $950,000
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $850,000
- Construction: $4 million
FHWA: Modern Roundabouts--A Safer Choice [Video]
UPC 111730
Construction of Roundabout at Route 20 and Route 649:
This project will convert the intersection of Route 20 (Stony Point Road), Route 649 (Proffit Road) and Route 1494 (Riggory Ridge Road) to a single-lane roundabout to improve safety and traffic flow.
Project Cost: $4 million
- Engineering of Roadway Plans: $700,000
- Right of Way Acquisition, Relocation Assistance and Utility Relocation: $1 million
- Construction: $2.3 million
FHWA: Modern Roundabouts--A Safer Choice [Video]
UPC 111733
Benefits
VDOT has combined six projects in Albemarle County into one design-build package. The projects are bundled to provide the greatest efficiency in construction and delivery.
Major Milestones
Request For Qualifications Released: July 11, 2018
Public hearings: October 9,10, 2018
Public comment period ends: October 21, 2018
Release Request for Proposals: October 2018
Technical Proposals Due: April 2019
Price Proposals Due: June 2019
Design-Build contract award: July 2019
Construction completion: Spring 2023
Project schedule is subject to change.
Resources
Phase: Under Construction
Lat/Long: N/A
Locality:
Albemarle