Metropolitan Planning Organization Looking to Fix Free Bridge Tr - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking funding to fix the traffic flow on Free Bridge during rush hour. Some drivers say the area has a major problem with traffic jams during rush hours.

MPO is currently juggling between a couple different plans on how to improve the bridge. One option includes expanding the U.S. Route 250 intersection at High Street and Route 20. Another plan includes building an entirely new bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the Rivanna River.

Wood Hudson, the senior planner at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, says this is a major traffic area that could use some work.

“We just want to make sure that we can get the, have the best, safest access to vehicle and transportation possible in this area. It’s a very important area for both the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County in terms of their future growth,” Hudson said.

Nothing has been officially approved yet, but MPO is hoping to submit an official plan to the Virginia Department of Transportation within the next few weeks.

The overall price on the construction is estimated to be roughly $30 million.

Planners will continue to present possible projects to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors at its meeting on August 3.