1. Jamestown 2007 Anniversary Celebration
I. Introduction
Jamestown 2007 is planned to be a collection of more than 100 events,
major and small, that will commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the
establishment of the first permanent English settlement in North America
on the shores of the James River in 1607.
These events are anticipated to take place
between the fall of 2006 and the spring of
2008 across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The vast majority of these activities are likely
to be relatively small in size and localized in
scope. Most events that are planned to take
place in the Historic Triangle (Jamestown-
Williamsburg-Yorktown) area will likely
create somewhat busier than average peak
visitation levels.
The recommended transportation plan
consists of the following basic elements:
• Highway Improvements;
• Park-and-Ride Facilities;
• Local Transit and Ferry Services; and
• Intercity Transit Services.
II. Need and purpose of multimodal system
The 400th anniversary commemoration of the settling of Jamestown in
2007 will bring thousands of additional tourists to this area. These
improvements will ease traffic concerns during the commemoration, but will
also serve to address long-term congestion issues in the future.
The recommendations in this plan reflect the following objectives:
Minimize the congestion impacts of the anticipated events on the regional highway system;
Maximize the convenience, safety, and reliability of alternative transportation services for a relaxed and pleasurable visitor experience; and
Miinimize impacts to the local community by physically separating visitor from local traffic as much as possible.
IV. Integration plan
The recommended transportation plan consists of the following basic
elements: Highway Improvements, Park-and-Ride Facilities, Local Transit
and Ferry Services, and Intercity Transit Services.
SR 199/SR 31 Highway Cost:
The total project is expected to cost about $31.8 million. Source: VDOT
Other Transportation Costs:
The table below presents the distribution of estimated costs by year.
Capital expenditures for bus purchases corresponding to transportation
plans for Williamsburg Area Transport and the Colonial Parkway begin in
2004. With the exception of funding for continued planning and coordination, most other costs are incurred in or 2007.
III. Rationale for selected alternative
- Route 199/Route 31 Improvements include:
* Completing the expansion and beautification of the Route 199 corridor
to a four-lane facility
* Route 31 improvements at the Route 199 intersection, a congested
location in the City of Williamsburg
* Reconstructing the Route 359 access to Jamestown
Settlement and Jamestown Island to enhance access and traffic flow
during the 400th anniversary celebration.
- Shuttle Buses
* Help provide adequate support for the generally higher levels of
“everyday” visitation anticipated for 2007.
* This service would provide a direct, smooth connection between the
intercity travel modes and the shuttle service.
- Ferry Service
* Up to four ferries can be operated simultaneously. The Plan
recommends that this maximum potential level of service be operated
during peak events.
- Bicycle Element
* This plan recommends the completion of several critical links in the
regional bikeway system plan