CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – VDOT is celebrating with the opening of the pedestrian bridge over 29 the completion of what it calls the “Hydraulic Road/U.S. 29 bundle”, but there’s still work to be done on one project.

The work that is done is a $24-million package of projects fully funded through the Virginia SMART SCALE program, which prioritizes transportation projects that improve safety, reduce congestion, improve accessibility, promote economic development, and affect the environment.

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday on the bridge over 29 just north of Zan Road that lifts a new shared-use path over the road.

The project also involved reconfiguring traffic flowing through the 29-Hydraulic intersection and adding signalized pedestrian crossings.

A huge project improving flow on Hydraulic between 250 and 29 is the new roundabout at Hillsdale, as well as intersection improvements at both Brandywine and Michie Drives.

VDOT Culpeper District’s Alexis Mehretab said, “With the pedestrian bridge now open to the public, the full package is operational, providing safer pedestrian crossings, better U-turn and traffic movement options, improved access for transit, and enhanced traffic operations along U.S. 29 and Hydraulic Road.”

There is one more project yet to be completed which is part of all the improvements scheduled for the corridor.

Mehretab noted another roundabout will be built starting in late 2026 at Hydraulic Road and District Avenue.

As it stands now, westbound Hydraulic traffic coming from 250 and the Hillsdale roundabout direction cannot take a left turn to go south on 29 (Emmet Street).

Right now, that traffic has to take the roundabout right onto Hillsdale, then take a left on Greenbrier to go that direction.

While this bundle project is complete, the Hydraulic/District roundabout is a separate project to be awarded as a separate contract in December as part of a Fontaine and Hydraulic design-build bundle.

“Construction is anticipated to take place from late 2026 through 2029,” Mehretab said.

This roundabout will have four pedestrian crossings built in, and traffic coming from 250 and Hillsdale will, instead of making its way to Greenbrier, be able to cross 29 and proceed west to this roundabout where it can circle around to eastbound Hydraulic then take a right turn onto southbound Emmet.

This roundabout is part of a bundle going out for bid along with U.S. 29/Fontaine Avenue interchange and Fontaine Avenue streetscape improvements.