press release

North Grounds Connector Opens to Traffic

New Road Will Be A Gateway Entrance to JPJ Arena

Jan. 13, 2006 —The new North Grounds Connector, one of the first major road improvement projects in over thirty years at the University of Virginia, opened on Jan. 13. The half-mile road, designed by VMDO Architects of Charlottesville, links Massie Road to U.S. 250 via an eastbound exit, greatly improving vehicular circulation to and from North Grounds to Barracks Road.

The $4.1 million road will allow for more efficient access to the University athletic precinct and alleviate congestion during game days at the new John Paul Jones Arena, set to open June 2006. The new road is a critical route for traffic not only for arena events, but also for daily traffic, which will now be able to take a direct path to and from Grounds and the nearest major four-lane highway.

Construction on the connector began in April 2005, and was completed five months ahead of schedule.

For further information, interview, and photography opportunities in reference to this project and VMDO Architects, please contact William Bishop at 434.296.5684, email at bishop@vmdo.com.

VMDO Architects was founded in 1976 and is the 2003 recipient of the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Award, the most prestigious honor given by the Virginia Society of American Institute of Architects.