Text from our Dec 2014 Member Newsletter:

The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter as VDOT continues to move forward with real solutions for Route 29 just north of Charlottesville. VDOT has received approval to release all of the property acquired to build the proposed Western Bypass, and they are taking steps to sell the land. 

VDOT has also narrowed its search to three design-build firms who, sometime in January, will submit formal design and cost proposals for three of the Route 29 Solutions projects: improvements at Rio Road and Route 29, the extension of Berkmar Drive, and the widening of Route 29 north of the South Fork Rivanna River. VDOT anticipates awarding a contract early next year, with construction possible by late 2015. Find up-to-date information at albemarle.org

Regarding conservation news in Albemarle, David and Nancy Bass protected 523 acres of Anchorage Farm with a conservation easement this fall, bringing to fruition years of work to protect 700 contiguous acres. The first phase of this project was the protection of 76 acres with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2000. Then, in 2011, a conservation easement on 85 acres with a historic 1825 farmhouse was donated to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. This final easement, also donated to VOF, protected the balance of the historic property. “The PEC has been helpful through this entire process guiding us along the way. I really commend their work and commitment to helping landowners. This has been a family farm for generations and it feels good to know that it is now protected forever,” remarked David.