In 2008, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in conjunction with Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) and Albemarle County, completed a US 29 North Corridor Transportation Study to develop a context-sensitive, multimodal transportation plan for the US 29 North Corridor within Albemarle County north of the City of Charlottesville (Places29 Area). This effort has been incorporated with development of the Places29 Master Plan (Places29 Plan) by Albemarle County. In November 2009, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board requested that TJPDC staff analyze the traffic impacts of extending Berkmar Drive as recommended in the Places29 Plan as well as traffic impacts of increasing the growth area in the US 29 corridor. The existing heavy traffic volumes on US 29 North and nearby local roads are expected to increase as development of this area continues. The Berkmar Drive Extension is predicated on improved movement of
traffic, enhanced access, and land use development to the rapidly developing area.
