June 8, 2012 — The city of Charlottesville will conduct a water line replacement project that will alter traffic patterns on Fontaine Avenue, a major entrance corridor for the University of Virginia.

The three-phase project is designed to improve the water supply to the area to the area, for consumers and firefighters.

The first phase, which starts June 18, centers on the intersection of Jefferson Park, Fontaine and Maury avenues, adjacent to the current bridge replacement project. The project will extend west on Fontaine Avenue to Lewis Street and north on Maury Avenue to Price Avenue. The initial work will involve closing the Jefferson Park-Fontaine-Maury avenue intersection and detouring traffic via Mimosa Lane., Stadium Road and Shamrock Road. This work will take place nightly, from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. As the work proceeds past the businesses on Fontaine and moves closer to the residential area, work will be shifted to daytime to minimize nighttime noise. Phase one should last approximately seven weeks.

The second phase will overlap with the first, beginning the week of June 25 at Westerly Avenue and continuing west on Fontaine Avenue past Apple Tree Road. This work will occur during the day starting no earlier than 9 a.m. and possibly ending as late as 10 p.m. During this phase, parking on Fontaine Avenue will be temporarily eliminated and the road will be reduced to two lanes through the construction area, similar to the traffic patterns set up for U.Va. football games. When necessary, southbound traffic will be detoured through the Westerly Avenue and Summit Street neighborhood. This phase should last approximately eight weeks.

The third phase, between Apple Tree Road and Lewis Street, will not occur until the first two phases are complete. This phase will involve day work, no earlier than 9 a.m. to no later than 10 p.m., and involves a detour via Mimosa Lane, Stadium Road and Shamrock Road. This phase should last six weeks. Because the third phase depends on the progress made during phases one and two, it is possible that this phase may be postponed, until next summer when the majority of students are gone and the Jefferson Park Avenue bridge is reopened.

All efforts will be made to maintain access to all businesses and residences at all times during the project. Should an entrance need to be blocked, prior coordination will be provided to those impacted. When parking is to be restricted, "No Parking" signs will be erected at least 48 hours in advance. Appropriate roadwork and/or detour signage will be used.

Alerts for detours will be provided to local media as well. Please contact the Charlottesville Utilities Department at 434-970-3800 for information.