City News

Press Releases and Announcements

Traffic signal improvements scheduled at key intersections across the city

~Upgrades will improve traffic signal visibility and improve safety for people who walk and ride transit ~

                                                                       

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Department of Public Works will upgrade existing traffic signal equipment and accommodations for people who walk and ride transit at the following intersections:

  • Brook Road and Brookland Park Boulevard
  • Chamberlayne Avenue and Westbrook Avenue
  • Forest Hill Avenue and Roanoke Street

Work for the project includes installing the following upgrades:

  • Replacing the existing traffic signal poles
  • New accessible curb ramps
  • Pedestrian countdown signals
  • High visibility crosswalks
  • Traffic signal controllers
  • Updating traffic signal indications with high visibility backplates
    • These backplates are more visible in both daytime and nighttime conditions and are a recognized proven safety countermeasure for all users regardless of selected transportation mode, age, and ability.

Weather permitting, this project is scheduled for completion by Summer 2024.

During construction, there will be intermittent lane and sidewalk closures. Please give our construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones in the work zones.

This $1.2 million project is funded through the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA).

For more information on the Department, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter (X) @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

CITY OF RICHMOND AWARDED $6 MILLION FROM USDA FOR URBAN FORESTRY EFFORTS

The City of Richmond was awarded $6 million dollars from the USDA for deep investments in equity-centered urban forestry efforts, in partnership with Groundwork RVA, Southside ReLeaf, Happily Natural, and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light. The grant was part of the USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Grants program, which awarded $1 billion in awards across the country. The city’s $6 million investment represents the largest award in the State of Virginia.

"The City of Richmond already shines as a beacon of progress, and with this $6 million grant from the USDA we can continue to cultivate a future where equity-centered urban forestry flourishes,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Our city is honored to receive the largest investment in the State, allowing us to forge a path for cities across the Commonwealth to follow."

This collaborative effort will be focused on Black and Brown-led, coalition-based urban greening and support the development of an Urban Forest Master Plan, tree plantings, conducting a tree canopy assessment, engage youths, adults, and faith-based organizations, advance green workforce development, and remove invasive species. The work will be targeted to areas of the community that are on the frontlines of climate change, often experiencing impacts first and worst.

“This is fantastic news for Richmonders, especially those in our redlined neighborhoods where tree canopy is scarce, and the heat island and health implications are profound. The size of this grant is testimony to both the need in Richmond and the strength of our community support for trees in our city. I’m thrilled to see the USDA investing not just in our city departments, but also in the outstanding community organizations who partnered on this grant,” says Councilmember Katherine Jordan.

Over the last several months, the City’s Office of Sustainability has been convening community-based organizations that are focused on delivering services to Black and Brown communities in an effort to apply for Federal funding. This grant award represents the first of what may be many that are focused on the nexus of climate change and equity.

“The Office of Sustainability is thrilled to help lead this effort as we continue equitable implementation of RVAgreen 2050 with a focus on environmental justice,” says Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “We have been working to convene community partners to actively go after this historic funding in climate action and are dedicated to ensuring that the City of Richmond is the story of how this moment in Federal funding can transform a community.” Black and Brown-led community-based organizations are at the heart of this opportunity.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” says Sheri Shannon, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf. “The city’s RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action plan sets the path for how we build climate-resilient communities. Now we have funding that puts years of planning and advocacy by community members into action. For Richmond’s Southside, that means we’ll have additional resources to plant trees, create amazing green spaces and empower more residents to take climate action. Impacted communities should know their needs are being prioritized, and this grant allows us to move beyond visioning to real environmental justice.”

“We at Groundwork RVA are extraordinarily excited by this news, specifically because it highlights the environmental justice work that many of our Black and Brown-led CBOs have been doing for years. The City’s Office of Sustainability has done a tremendous job building partnerships to help push this work forward and hope that these funds help drive the implementation of environmental justice efforts in Richmond. We are grateful to all the partners that have been doing this work for years and are thrilled about the opportunity to come together to implement equity-centered sustainability efforts,” says Rob Jones, Executive Director of Groundwork RVA.


"Virginia Interfaith Power & Light is thrilled to be a collaborative partner with the city of Richmond, Groundworks RVA, Southside Releaf, and Happily Natural Day for this USDA Urban Forestry Grant award. The implementation of this award over the next few years will reduce the city’s “heat island effect,” expanding green space and improving air and water quality. I am especially excited about how this collaboration will impact workforce development to care for our planet and people by caring for the tree canopy in the greater Richmond area,” says Faith Harris, Director of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light. 

Visit rva.gov/sustainability to learn more about RVAgreen 2050 and how the city is dedicated to equitable climate action across the community.

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City seeking input on Franklin Street Safety and Mobility Improvement Project - Survey Open Until 9/24/23

~ The project will improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity along the corridor ~

RICHMOND, Va.  – The City of Richmond Department of Public Works is seeking feedback on proposed conceptual designs for the Franklin Street Safety and Mobility Improvement Project along West Franklin Street from Lombardy Street to Belvidere Street. The project will connect to the existing two-way cycle track along Franklin Street from Belvidere Street to 9th Street. Feedback from the survey will be used to help guide design implementation and finalize plans. The survey will be available online through Sunday, September 24.

The proposed design includes:

    • Implementing a roadway conversion within the existing roadway cross-section to improve accessibility and safety for bicyclists by incorporating a two-way “cycle track” bicycle lane
      • A cycle track is a bike lane that is physically separated from the vehicle travel lane with some type of vertical barrier
    • Using the existing roadway width to either replace one vehicle travel lane, or reduce existing travel lane widths to accommodate the bicycle infrastructure

Please go to https://www.rva.gov/public-works/pedestrian-bicycling-and-trails and complete the survey by Sunday, September 24.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please go to www.rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements planned for Carnation Street

RICHMOND, Va. – The City of Richmond Department of Public Works will begin bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements along Carnation Street from Hioaks Road to Midlothian Turnpike this week. The project will help improve safety for all roadway users and is expected to better manage speeds along the corridor. This project is part of a larger implementation plan to extend Richmond’s existing bike route network, and upon completion will result in a nearly 6-mile corridor of dedicated bike lanes along Warwick Road and Carnation Street extending from Chippenham Hospital to Richmond Highway and the future Fall Line Trail.

Work includes:

  • Implementing a roadway conversion, consisting of restriping
  • Adding buffered bike lanes - creating dedicated space for people who bike or scoot, while reducing the number of lanes to cross for people who walk and access transit

This project is an important part of the City’s commitment to Vision Zero and supports the Better Streets multimodal approach by implementing safety improvements such as high-visibility crosswalks for people who walk, accessible curb ramps for people who roll, and dedicated space for people for bike or scoot.

For more information about Public Works, please visit www.rva.gov/publicworks or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPWrelated projects, activities, and events, visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA.

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

The RVA BikeShare Program returns August 21

~ City providing all registered BikeShare users with FREE rides through December 31, 2023 ~ 

RICHMOND, Va. –   The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, a division of the Department of Public Works will officially relaunch the RVA Bikeshare Program Monday, August 21 in tandem with the opening of a new station at Dominion Energy Center. BikeShare technology related needs will be handled by WeGo-Share and Evolve Mobility will manage the operations and maintenance.

As a welcome back gift, the city is providing all registered BikeShare users free rides through December 31, 2023. All users need to download the RVA Bikeshare app and register to use the system.

Currently, there are 25 self-service stations with a fleet of 300 pedal assisted electric bikes with more stations slated to be installed this year. The BikeShare Program provides a key multimodal option and serves as the first and last mile for many residents traversing the city. 

For more information on the department, please go to rva.gov/public-works or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

###

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

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