Regional Rail Conceptual Study

This Regional Rail Conceptual Study will concentrate upon exploring rail transit options in considerable depth. It is proposed here that a three-radial-route high-capacity system of light-rail trackage be constructed as a potential solution to the efficient movement of commuters and shoppers between Charlottesville and major population or development nodes within about a 20-mile radius of the City. Such a system works best with an isolated right-of-way to achieve immunity from motor vehicle traffic congestion. Some tentative route alignments (for the Rte. 29N, Rte. 250E and Rte. 250W corridors) are presented here along with potential pedestrian-accessible station stops that reflect present or expected near-term patterns of residential clusters, employment centers, and commercial development. This constitutes the Light Rail Proposal beginning on page 13. Any routes depicted on maps herein do not presently designate or guarantee any specific corridor alignment or station location, but are intended to stimulate dialogue leading toward the ultimate realization of an official corridor plan for high-capacity transit.