The far right, shared northbound straight/right turn lane on 9th/Avon will be closed to construct a retaining wall. This lane is north of the railroad and south of the East Market intersection. Vehicular traffic may also be stopped on the northbound travel lane of 9th/Avon Street to allow construction vehicles to enter/exit the work zone just north of the railroad.
Stormwater and utility work will continue on the eastern side of 9th/Avon Street between Levy Avenue and Graves Street. Work will be conducted within the closed sidewalk as well the eastern northbound travel lane which is already barreled off.
The existing pedestrian tunnel to/from the Downtown Mall via the Ting Pavilion on Water Street will be closed until late November 2022. The detour route will be along the southern sidewalk on Water Street to the existing crosswalk at the Downtown Transit Station. A ramp and a staircase is located west of the Downtown Transit Station which connects to the Downtown Mall. The existing pedestrian tunnel’s extension has been poured and work has begun on the retaining wall on Water Street which will extend up to East Market Street. Vehicular traffic at the bridge on Water Street will be flagged intermittently with both pedestrian and vehicular travel being intermittently stopped for up to 15 minute intervals as construction vehicles enter and leave the work zone. The northern sidewalk east of the bridge on Water Street is also closed and pedestrians are being directed to the southern sidewalk at existing crosswalks.
Vehicular traffic will be flagged during the day on Old Avon, East South Street and Graves Street (between 9th/Avon Street and Monticello Road) to install new stormwater pipe and curb as well as accommodate bridge construction. East South Street will be closed to through traffic and will be one-way westbound to accommodate access to/from local businesses’ parking lots. Barriers may be erected with flaggers on hand to provide access during the regular daytime work hours. Paving is also planned for East South Street with traffic controlled by flagging. The temporary parking lot entrance has moved from its location on East South Street to Old Avon while South Street is reconstructed.
Monticello Road will be closed to through traffic between Graves Street and Old Avon Street to build the permanent retaining wall and for the crane used for bridge construction. Flagging of vehicular traffic may occur in this same section of Monticello Road.
To accommodate utility work, segments of sidewalk and crosswalks will also be closed as work progresses. No street will have both sides of the sidewalk closed at the same time. The eastern sidewalk along 9th/Avon Street will be closed between Levy Avenue and Graves Street with pedestrians directed to the western sidewalk along 9th/Avon Street. The western crosswalk across Graves Street will be closed with pedestrians directed to the mid-block crossing 9th/Avon Street at Graves. Pedestrians on Graves Street’s northern sidewalk between 9th/Avon and Monticello Road may be stopped by a flagger for up to 5 minutes to allow vehicles to load and exit work area.
The eastern sidewalk along 9th/Avon Street between Graves Street and East Market Street remains closed as work begins on the new sidewalk and pedestrian lighting. Pedestrian should continue to use the western sidewalk along 9th/Avon Street until the next traffic shift coming up shortly. The southern sidewalk along Old Avon Street is closed between Monticello Road and where it terminates near East South Street.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project area and access to private parcels will be accommodated.
Construction is being conducted by Caton Construction Group, Inc. for the City of Charlottesville’s Department of Public Works. The pedestrian pushbuttons at the 9th/Avon/Levy/Garrett intersection have been relocated to the large, wooden signal poles (NE, NW and SW corners) and an auxiliary wooden post with metal conduit (SE corner).
Work zone is posted at 25 MPH – please drive carefully with phones down.