The last part of the Meadow Creek Parkway, a controversial road that’s been on the books for decades, will open to traffic on February 5. The interchange at the U.S. 250 bypass will connect with McIntire Road Extended, Charlottesville’s portion of the parkway, which was completed in August 2013. That section goes up to Melbourne Road, and will join up with Albemarle County’s part of the parkway, which was completed in 2011 and opened early 2012. The entire road will be known as the John W. Warner Parkway, in honor of the former U.S. senator who earmarked $27 million for the construction of the interchange.
Work on the interchange began in March 2013 after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park. The completed roadway includes bike paths and pedestrian walkways, and provides a two-lane connector with East Rio Road. A new Bypass overpass that eliminates a stop light at McIntire Road will also open.
After the 1:30pm ribbon cutting, the road opens to traffic, although construction will continue through July.