NBC29Improvement on the Way for Route 20?

Improvement on the Way for Route 20?

Some people who live along Scottsville Road asking for help to keep things safe on the twisting, turning high-speed byway. VDOT officials say they have two improvement spot project plans for dangerous intersections along the stretch of Route 20 south of Charlottesville. Residents say change can't come soon enough.

"I used to be able to ride my horses across Route 20 and I don't even dare cross personally Route 20 anymore," shared Stephanie Morris, who lives on Route 20 South. 

A 55 mile per hour speed limit is posted but around the s-curve the speed limit drops to 35 mph. Skid marks show what we're told is a typical story. "About once a week cars coming to a screeching halt," said Morris. 

Morris argues Route 20 is marked as one of the Commonwealth's byways not highways. "It's supposed to be for tourism. People are looking for Monticello, they're looking for Ashlawn, they're looking for wineries. They're not going to be able to go 60 miles an hour around a curve," offered Morris. 

Morris and others are asking for some help to make things safe. They have taken their complaints to VDOT and the government.

"More signage would be a fantastic addition to Route 20 south. I think that VDOT does see the safety issues that are here. We're hoping that in the future they'll add more signage to Route 20 South," said "H" Rothenberg, owner of Triple C Camp. 

Morris had some more ideas for things that may help: "Speed, more guard rails, I think attention by our police to have DUI checkpoints, monitoring speed of people traversing from Charlottesville to Scottsville."

We contacted Albemarle County police about more frequent speed monitoring along Route 20. They told us it's been added to a list of roads they'll be keeping a close eye on.

Reported by Liz Nagy
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