New speed limit slows U.S. 29 traffic

By Bryan McKenzie

Published: July 3, 2008

A May wreck that killed an Albemarle County high school student helped convince state officials to drop to 45 miles per hour the speed limit on U.S. 29 from Polo Grounds Road to Airport Road.

Virginia Department of Transportation officials announced the change in speed limit effective today. They made the decision based on results of a study on traffic speed and safety along the stretch of road.

“The study found that the roadway geometry, increased development and crash history along the corridor warranted the reduction,” said VDOT spokesman Lou Hatter, in a prepared statement.

Prior to the reduction to 45, the speed limit was 55 miles per hour.

“We’re pleased to see it happen so quickly,” said Lee Catlin, Albemarle County spokeswoman. “There are other steps that need to implemented and VDOT is looking to implement those as soon as possible.”

Hatter said the speed study was done in conjunction with a safety assessment of the U.S. 29 intersection at Ashwood Boulevard, also known as Forest Lakes South. The study followed a fatal crash in early May in which a semi-tractor and trailer ran a red light and slammed into the side of a car. The impact killed 16-year-old Sydney Aichs who was on her way to school.

The recommendations from the safety assessment included the speed limit reduction, additional signs and pavement markings and flashing lights to warn motorists about the intersection. Brush and some trees along the road shoulders and median strip will also be cleared to improve visibility, Hatter said.

U.S. 29 through the area is built on older, two-lane rural road base that undulates. Shoulders are narrow or nonexistent and both the side of the road and the median are lush with vegetation. Those aspects are now safety issues due to intensifying development, according to officials.

“The county is doing some additional master planning in that area to take a larger look at traffic management,” Catlin said. “We’ll be looking for how to move cars in a more efficient way.”