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Fontaine Construction Projects - FAQs

Where can I find information about construction impacts?

The Fontaine Construction Projects website will be updated weekly.

How do I sign up for construction alerts?

Construction alerts will be posted to the website continually.

Who can I talk to about any questions or concerns?

Please email [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

What is the timeline for each project?

Fontaine construction timeline

What can I expect during rock removal?

What is rock removal and why is it required?

Rock removal is required to build both the Institute of Biotechnology and Fontaine Parking Garage. Blasting it is the least impactful option for removing the rock. The other option, chipping away at the rock, has a multi-year duration as opposed to a 2-month duration, and an additional $11M cost, with both vibration and noise impacts much greater than blasting.

When will rock removal start?

Rock removal will begin on May 28th.

How invasive are the blasts going to be?

Two blasts will occur on the Institute of Biotechnology site and two blasts on the Parking Garage site for a total of four per day. The construction teams are working to coordinate the blasts on both sites to happen in unison to lessen the impact. The blast will sound like a series of firecrackers firing in sequence and last a few seconds. The process of closing access to the site, sounding a 1-minute warning, executing the blast, and sounding an all-clear signal will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Once the all clear sound is communicated, vehicles and pedestrians can safety travel within the blast zone.

What is the timing of each blast?

Blasts will occur at noon and 3:30pm Monday through Friday.

Will there be a warning before each blast?

Yes, an air horn will sound with a 1-minute warning (three short horn sounds) before each blast, and an all-clear (1 long horn sound) after each blast.

What vehicular and pedestrian impacts will there be?

Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be stopped within the blast zone for approximately 10-15 minutes. Vehicles and pedestrians outside of the blast radius (on the 500 side of the park) can continue to move about.

Do I need to be inside a building during each blast?

If your building is not within the blast zone (500, 515, 545, 560) there is no need to stay inside. If your building is within the blast zone (400, 415, Snyder and Aurbach), please stay inside the building during the blasting period. We ask that you stay at least two feet away from any windows as a precaution in the unlikely event of flying debris. No pedestrian or vehicular traffic will be allowed within the blast zone during the 10-15 minute blasting period.

Are there any risks of toxin exposure in dust or fumes during blasting?

No. There is no risk of toxin exposure in dust or fumes during blasting. The blast material is highly regulated and strictly controlled.

I am a staff member. Where can I park?

During rock removal (May 28, 2024 - July 31, 2024)

All staff with U9 permits, except ADA parkers, will be required to park remotely. You have the option to park at John Paul Jones Arena Garage and take the UTS Purple Line bus directly to Fontaine or park at Hereford College S6 and S9 lots and walk to Fontaine. See below for pedestrian path from Hereford College. Please note that summer renovation activities preclude parking in the area noted in red. ADA staff parkers should pull up to the valet stand in front of 400 Ray C. Hunt for further valet instructions. ADA parkers will also be given a phone number to call for valet service to their building.

Aerial rendering of Fontaine Research Park and the pedestrian route available during blasting
Click to view full-sized map
Fontaine purple line route
Click to view full-sized map

After rock removal (August 1, 2024+)

Please park in designated staff (U9) spaces per normal operations. We will continue to monitor the parking situation as construction progresses.

I am a patient or research subject. Where can I park?

During rock removal (May 28, 2024 - July 31, 2024)

Patients visiting 415 Ray C. Hunt should pull up to the 415 entrance where a staff attendant will be waiting to valet their car. All other patients and research subjects should continue to park in designated patient or visitor spaces as they normally would.

Fontaine valet service map as of May 2024
Click to view full-sized map
Fontaine parking impacts map during blasting, May 28-July 31, 2024
Click to view full-sized map

After rock removal (August 1, 2024+)

Patients and research subjects should park in designated patient or visitor spaces per normal operations.

I am a patient. Can I be dropped off?

Yes, patients can continue to be dropped off at all clinic buildings throughout construction activities.

Where should guests and visitors park?

Guests and visitors should continue to park in visitor spaces per normal operations.

Where should students park?

Students or staff needing access to Fontaine Research Park, but without a U9 or other valid parking permit should plan to park at JPJ and either purchase a daily Blue / JPJ permit or pay ParkMobile zone 5520 for daily parking and ride the Purple Line to Fontaine.

Remote staff parking questions (May 28, 2024 - July 31, 2024)

I am a staff member required to park outside of Fontaine during rock removal. How do I get to Fontaine?

You have the option to park at John Paul Jones Arena Garage and take the UTS Purple Line bus directly to Fontaine or park at Hereford College S6 and S9 lots and walk to Fontaine. ADA staff parkers should pull up to the valet stand in front of 400 Ray C. Hunt for further valet instructions. ADA staff parkers will also be given a phone number to call for valet service to their building.

Will I still have to pay for parking while I am parking remotely?

No. Your U9 parking permit fee will be waived from May 28, 2024 through July 31, 2024.

Do I need to purchase a new parking permit while I am parking remotely?

No, a new permit is not required to park at the alternate locations (JPJ Arena Garage or Hereford College S6 and S9 lots). All permits that were valid at Fontaine will be honored.

I do not currently have a permit and use ParkMobile or a daily permit to park at Fontaine. Will a permit be required for remote parking?

Yes, a permit is required. If you do not have a permit, you can purchase a daily permit for Blue / JPJ which will be honored at JPJ or Hereford College S6 or S9 lots. Alternatively, you can purchase ParkMobile parking at the Blue / JPJ lots (Zone 5520) and take the Purple Line to Fontaine.

Will ParkMobile still be available for occasional parking at Fontaine?

No. ParkMobile will not be available at Fontaine.

How often will the UTS (Purple Line) bus run from JPJ Arena Garage to Fontaine? And at what times?

The UTS Purple Line bus will run from 5:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Friday.

  • 5:00am-6:00am (1 bus every 30 minutes)
  • 6:00am-9:00am (1 bus every 10 minutes)
  • 9:00am-3:00pm (1 bus every 30 minutes)
  • 3:00pm-6:00pm (1 bus every 10 minutes)
  • 6:00pm-8:00pm (1 bus every 30 minutes)
  • 8:00pm-5:00am (UTS on-demand service only)

Will there be an on-call shuttle for after-hours when the Purple Line is no longer running between JPJ and Fontaine?

Yes. After hours service is available from 8:00pm-5:00am Monday through Friday. Please use the TransLoc app to request an on-demand ride.

How long is the bus ride from JPJ Arena Garage to Fontaine?

The bus ride from JPJ to Fontaine is approximately 10-15 minutes. It is a direct route with no intermediate stops.

Where will staff park at JPJ and where does the Purple Line bus pick up and drop off?

Parking will be inside the JPJ Arena Garage. The bus stop will be on the JPJ Plaza immediately before the garage entrance at the southeast corner of the JPJ Arena Garage (street level). See photo below.

The bus stop available in the JPJ Plaza

How will I know when a bus is arriving?

Please download the TransLoc app to view a real-time transit map with bus arrival predictions.

When parking at JPJ Arena Garage, what happens for special events? Will I need to move my vehicle?

At this time there are very few special events scheduled. All JPJ parkers will be notified in advance of any impacts.

Can U9 permit holders park at Scott Stadium?

No. U9 permits are not valid at Scott Stadium. Please park at JPJ Arena Garage or Hereford College S6 or S9 lots.

Can golf carts be assigned to travel the walking path between Fontaine and the Hereford College parking lots to transport staff parking there?

Not at this time. This will be a pedestrian path only.

Can scooters be made available in the Hereford College parking lots?

Veo Scooters are positioned throughout Grounds and are often available near Hereford College.

When will special parking permits be issued and how will they be distributed?

Special parking permit notifications went out on May 17, 2024 via email. These permits will be virtual.

When will parking restrictions be lifted?

Parking restrictions will be lifted after blasting for rock removal has been completed. Blasting is schedule to end July 31, 2024.

Will weekend parking be allowed?

Yes, you are free to park at Fontaine during the weekend outside of designated construction areas.

How do I get from Fontaine to West Complex, Pinn Hall, University Hospital, etc.?

The Health System shuttle will continue to run normally. More information can be found here (https://uvahealth.com/patients-visitors/shuttle/fontaine-route)

Will I be able to walk between buildings at the park?

Yes. A map of existing pedestrian paths is below. Please see above question about pedestrian impacts during rock removal.

Aerial rendering of Fontaine Research Park, existing pedestrian routes as of May 2024
Click to view full-sized map

Has UVA engaged the Afton Express and Crozet Connect in conversations about adding a stop at Fontaine?

Afton Express is adding two morning stops and two afternoon stops at Fontaine Research Park starting on May 28.

  • Morning Trip #1: Leaves Fishersville P&R at 5:00am and will arrive at Fontaine Research Park at 6:45am.
  • Morning Trip #2: Leaves Fishersville P&R at 5:30am and will arrive at Fontaine Research Park at 7:20am.
  • Afternoon Trip #1: Leaves Fontaine Research Park at 5:45pm and will arrive at Fishersville at 6:30pm.
  • Afternoon Trip #2: Leaves Fontaine Research Park at 6:30pm and will arrive at Fishersville at 7:15pm.

Jaunt operates various "Connect" routes that serve Charlottesville / UVA. Two Connect routes stop at Fontaine Research Park: Lovingston and Crozet West Connect. The stop location was recently moved from 400 RCH to 560 RCH.

Will food service be available at Fontaine while staff are parking offsite?

Yes. Food trucks will be on site Monday through Friday from 11am-2:30pm outside of 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr.

Has there been a concerted effort to move as many people as possible offsite and remote during this time period?

Yes. Multiple units have been or are in the process of being moved offsite.

Will golf carts be available to transport people within the park?

Yes. Golf carts will be circulating throughout the park through the end of rock removal. All patients, staff and visitors should feel free to utilize this service.

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