University News

McCormick-Alderman Intersection To Close for Utility, Safety Projects

By Matt Kelly, mkelly@virginia.edu

May 8, 2023

Posted sign informing drivers of the construction and road closures

Signs are posted to alert drivers on Grounds that the Alderman-McCormick intersection will be closed this summer. (Photograph by Emily Faith Morgan, University Communications)

Traffic patterns on the University of Virginia’s Grounds will temporarily change this summer as the intersection of Alderman and McCormick roads closes on May 22 – reopening by Aug. 17 – to accommodate two Facilities Management projects.

One project will extend underground utilities across McCormick Road. This will help support the University’s low-temperature hot water project by installing infrastructure needed to move the University away from using fossil fuel-generated steam and hot water to heat buildings.

Converting buildings to low-temperature hot water from steam and medium-temperature hot water has the potential to eliminate 19,000 tons of carbon emissions a year, save the University $1 million to $2 million in annual operational expenses and save approximately 20 million gallons of water per year.

Facilities Management will close the intersection of McCormick and Alderman roads beginning May 22 to install utilities and new pedestrian safety measures. (UVA Facilities Management illustration)

“The low-temperature hot water project is a key component of the University’s 2030 carbon neutral/2050 fossil fuel-free goals,” said Chris Pouncey, a senior project manager at Facilities Management, who added that the summer work is just one phase of a project that began in 2018.

While the first project goes under McCormick Road, the second project is designed to better support pedestrian safety on McCormick Road by widening the sidewalks on both sides and installing additional landscaping. The project will also narrow McCormick Road, improve the crosswalks and re-establish a western vehicle gate east of Hancock Drive.

“The improvements will increase safety for pedestrian travel along this vital corridor with enhanced, accessible pathways and more seamless flow interchanges, as well as increasing safety for a variety of multi-modal vehicular traffic traveling through on a regular basis,” Mark Stanis, the director of capital construction and renovations for Facilities Management, wrote in an email. “The added amenities will support the well-being of students, faculty, staff and visitors while offering a more vibrant pedestrian experience and welcoming University gateway and arrival experience.”

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Preliminary work has been conducted this spring along McCormick Road in anticipation of the summer construction.

Signs will reroute pedestrians around the immediate construction area during the work.

Alternate vehicle routes will use Stadium Road to Hereford Drive, which then turns into McCormick Road. Traffic will be allowed through the McCormick/Alderman intersection one way, from eastbound McCormick Road taking a left turn onto northbound Alderman Road. Otherwise, vehicles can travel from Ivy Road to Alderman Road to access the Leake Building and E1 lot.

The Department of Parking & Transportation is developing alternate bus routes.

“As a primary organizational circulation ‘spine’ connecting Central Grounds to residence halls, academic buildings and public spaces, this project will advance urban design, landscape architecture and sustainable infrastructure goals as identified in the University Landscape Framework Plan,” Stanis said.