As development continues in Crozet, increasing traffic means some intersections aren’t making the grade. The intersection of Routes 240 and 250 gets an “F” for drivers trying to turn left from 240, according to Lou Hatter, spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation. This means travelers heading to Charlottesville from one of Crozet’s major roads can wait a long time for their turn to, well, turn.
An “F” level of service, Hatter says, means the average vehicle waits more than 50 seconds at an intersection. Doesn’t seem like too long—but imagine slowly counting to 50 while watching the guy in front of you miss his golden opportunity as you listen to some other dude’s radio playing “Shot Through the Heart.” Even worse, a recent peak hours study at the 240/250 intersection found that drivers had to wait an average of 75 seconds to get through.
This is because 250 always has the right of way, Hatter says. VDOT is looking at improvements to the unregulated intersection. Among the possibilities: a traffic light or a roundabout.
While it might seem a little Euro for our area, traffic circles are reportedly growing in popularity in this area. They produce lower emissions than four-way intersections, which have more stop-and-wait time, and they keep traffic flowing.
Weather Hill Homes, which is developing the Crozet subdivision Wickham Pond II, proffered about $37,000 to improve the intersection, which will feel the impact of the 106-unit housing development. Hatter says he’s not sure when decisions for 240/250 will be made, but says it’s a three-way decision-making process among developers, County planners and traffic officials.
Until then, drivers will have to pop in a book-on-tape and have fun turning left.
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