~ This project is part of ongoing efforts to improve safety for people who walk and roll ~

RICHMOND, Va. –   The Department of Public Works (DPW) secured Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds through its partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. This project is a continuation of the work by the Department to use low-cost, systemic, quick build improvements that provide proven immediate safety benefits through changing the built environment. 

This project will start this summer and it is expected to be completed by spring 2024, weather permitting. During this phase of the project, the Department will make improvements at the project intersections listed below and will install:

• High visibility crosswalks
• Accessible ramps, and
• Pedestrian countdown signals at locations currently without them

Project Intersections:

This phase of improvements total approximately $2.4 million and is part of a larger $10.5 million investment in improving the safety of people who walk and roll across streets.

The Department operates and maintains 480 traffic signal controlled intersections and continues to work to improve the safety of people who walk, roll and cross city streets regardless of their age or ability. 

Please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works for more information or email 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.

~ Several PHB installations near schools and parks ~

RICHMOND, Va. – Over the next few weeks, drivers along Forest Hill Avenue near Huguenot High School, Semmes Avenue near Fonticello Park, and Laburnum Avenue near Holton Elementary School will notice new traffic signal control devices in operation. These new traffic signals are Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) and they are designed to help pedestrians and bicyclists safely cross busy or higher-speed, multi-lane roadways and uncontrolled intersections.

Most traffic related deaths involving people walking occur at night and at non-intersection locations with drivers that create more crash energy than a person can withstand. In these cases, vehicle size and speeds are always the major contributing factor. As a safety strategy to address this crash risk, the PHB is an intermediate option between a flashing beacon and a full pedestrian signal because it assigns right of way and provides positive stop control. It also allows people who drive to proceed once the pedestrian has cleared their side of the travel lane(s).

In general, PHBs are used where it is difficult for pedestrians to cross a roadway, such as when gaps in traffic are not sufficient or operating speeds exceed 35 miles per hour. They are very effective at locations where three or more travel lanes will be crossed or traffic volumes are above a certain threshold. Installation of a PHB must also include a marked crosswalk and pedestrian countdown signal.

PHBs are also planned for the following locations:

• Belvidere Street at Virginia War Memorial
• Hull Street at Silverwood Drive
• Hull Street at Worsham Way
• Hull Street at 29^th Street
• Main Street at 24th Street (GRTC)
• Williamsburg Avenue at Stony Run Road

Additionally, existing emergency signals/beacons at the following fire stations will be retro-fitted and modified to function as PHBs:

• Semmes Avenue near Canoe Run Park with Fire Station #17
• Leigh Street near Abner Clay Park with Fire Station #5. 

These projects are a continuation of the Vision Zero commitments made to serve people of all ages and abilities by changing the built environment to shift our safety culture.

Instructions on how to use PHBs:

The beacon head consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain “dark” until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street pushes the call button to activate the beacon, which then initiates a yellow to red lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights that directs motorists to slow and come to a stop and provides the right-of-way to the pedestrian to safely cross the roadway before going dark again.

This project is funded through the FHWA Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and a partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation.

PBHs have been installed at the following locations: Grove Avenue at Summerset Avenue and on East Broad Street (at the mid-block) between the I-95 Bridge and 16th Street.

For more information on Vision Zero, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero or email us 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.

~ Online survey available May 11 – June 1 ~

RICHMOND, VA. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites the public to learn about the Proposed Bike Lane Projects along State Route 161 (SR 161) and to provide feedback on the proposed detailed designs. These bike lane projects will enhance our transportation infrastructure and improve safety for all roadway users. The online survey will be available Thursday, May 11 through Thursday, June 1.

The project includes:

• PHASE I:
  
  • Roadway bicycle improvements on Westover Hills Boulevard (SR 161) begin just south of the Boulevard Toll Bridge and run south to the intersection with Dunston Avenue/49th Street.
  • This segment/phase will also propose pedestrian and bicycle improvements along 49th Street beginning at the Dunston Avenue/Westover Hills Boulevard intersection and running south to the cul-de-sac at the  Hill Top Drive intersection.

• PHASE II:
  
  • On-roadway bicycle improvements along Park Drive and Blanton Avenue (SR 161) begin at Pump House Drive and run north to the French Street intersection.
  • This phase will also include improved pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Blanton Ave and Park Drive.

Note: Your input is valuable and is needed for the success of this project. Based on previous survey participation, DPW received significant feedback to add physical protection to the proposed bike lanes and therefore, the new proposal recommends placing a physical barrier between the bike lane and traffic. So, please take time to provide input.

To review the project materials and comment on the detailed design for each corridor, please go https://arcg.is/5me4S0 and complete the online survey by Thursday, June 1, 2023.

For more project details or if you need assistance with alternative means to review and comment, contact Afshin Famili at 804‐646‐6334 or email Afshin.Famili@rva.gov

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us online at https://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.

Road closures at Byrd Park to begin this weekend
The City of Richmond introduces a new event beginning June 4

Richmond, VA – Using the Open Streets concept as seen in other cities around the nation, the City of Richmond is reducing automobile traffic in Byrd Park on weekends beginning Saturday, May 13, 2023. The gate closures will open the space to be used for a range of activities for visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Beginning at 7 a.m., Saturday, May 13, the following road closures will be implemented in Byrd Park:

1. Entrance to the park at S. Arthur Ashe Jr. Blvd. and Grant Street

2. S. Robinson Street at Boat Lake Drive

3. Lakeview Avenue at S. Robinson Street

4. Strollers Lane at Grant Street

5. Westover Road at Boat Lake Drive

6. Trafford Road at Westover Road

Parking is available on S. Arthur Ashe, Jr. Blvd, Grant Street at Blanton Avenue, S. Sheppard Street, or S. Davis Avenue.

These closures will be in effect through 7 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023.

To further make use of the space and bring the community together, the City will be hosting Jazz at the Fountain at Fountain Lake. Beginning on Sunday, June 4th, Jazz at the Fountain will feature Richmond native Chan Hall beginning at 4 p.m. The July 2nd performance will feature the quartet Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood, which features Mr. Hawkins on bass, James “Saxsmo” Gates on Alto Saxophone, Dr. Weldon Hill on piano, and Billy Williams Jr. on drums. Information for the August 6th and September 3rd performers will be posted on the Parks and Recreation website and social media channels.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website.

~ Meeting scheduled to provide information and solicit public input ~

RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites the community to attend a public meeting Monday, May 22 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street to learn more about the US-60 Downtown Expressway Gateway Pedestrian Improvements Project. The project will provide improvements to the pedestrian infrastructure around Kanawha Plaza (South 9th Street, East Canal Street, South 7th Street, and East Byrd Street) in the vicinity of the downtown expressway. The proposed improvements will provide safer pedestrian access to the Plaza. The development team will be available to answer questions. Public engagement is important to the success of the project.

The proposed improvements include:

• Increased pedestrian accessibility
• Adding and widening sidewalk
• Reconstruction of intersection geometry
• Enhanced pedestrian crossings by reducing the length of the crossing and clearly marked crosswalks
• Installation of pedestrian signals
• Planting street trees
• Installation of a new traffic signal at South 7th and East Byrd Streets

Project information will also be available at City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Please call 804-646-2467 to make an appointment to review project documents. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer questions.

Comments can be submitted at the meeting or mailed to: Ms. Yongping Wang, Richmond Department of Public Works, 900 East Broad Street, 6th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 or by email to Yongping.Wang@rva.gov. Please include "UPC111702 – US 60 Downtown Expressway Gateway Pedestrian Improvement Project” on the email subject line. All comments must be received by the June 5, 2023 deadline.

If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, email Yongping.Wang@rva.gov or call 804-646-2467.

For more information, please visit us online at 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.