Henrico officials invite public to weigh in on proposed Route 5 changes by April 2
This Thursday is the deadline for public to weigh in through a Henrico County survey about proposed safety and operational improvements along Route 5 and New Osborne Turnpike in Varina.
The study asks for input regarding possible changes to five intersections, giving the public up to three proposed alternatives upon which to comment.
For each intersection presented in the study, the public can give feedback on a number of options – doing nothing to the crossroads, realignment alternatives or, in many cases, a new design that features a roundabout.
The five intersections that are open for public feedback are:
• Williamsburg Road and Hatcher Street;
• Route 5 and New Osborne Turnpike;
• Route 5 and New Market Road/Osborne Turnpike;
• Route 5 and Midview Road/Herman Street;
• and New Osborne Turnpike/Newton Road between Route 5 and Williamsburg Road.
In the study, the public can also weigh in on corridor-wide lighting improvements and corridor-wide Virginia Capital Trail Crossings.
Route 5 is owned and maintained by the state and currently carries the distinction of being a Virginia Byway. But Route 5 has not been designated as a federal scenic byway at this time, according to Sudha Mudgade, capital projects manager with the Henrico County Transportation Development Division.
Henrico Public Works' study is a collaborative effort involving the Virginia Department of Transportation and the City of Richmond, aiming to ensure that any proposed improvements align with both local and state priorities while respecting the character of Route 5, Mudgade wrote in response to a resident and former federal employee who was concerned that a federal designation would hinder change.
“Improvements that we are considering, do consider the scenic character of the roadway,” Henrico County Public Works Director Terrell Hughes emailed the Henrico Citizen. “That was a discussion point at the meeting [this month at Varina High School] on how we are making recommendations for roundabouts, which have aesthetic qualities that work with rural areas. The roundabouts also improve safety and keep traffic flowing without the need for widening.”
The estimated cost of the project is $230,000, with the estimated start and end dates still not posted on the project’s website.
Current sewer and water improvements
In this month’s Varina District ‘Word on the Street’ newsletter, the Henrico County Public Works Department gave notice that current sewer and water improvements are focused on three areas:
• Evergreen Road and Taylor Road adding new sewer and water main in the subdivision and provide services to residences on septic systems and private wells;
• Greendale Park which will add new sewer and water main in the subdivision and provide services to residences on septic systems and private wells;
• Hanover Road and Early Street which will will add new sewer and water main in a nearby subdivision and provide services to 23 residences on septic systems and 14 residences on private wells.
Due to a bridge replacement project on Meadow Road in Varina, Meadow Road is closed between Woodview Drive and the railroad tracks through May. Traffic is detoured by way of Dry Bridge and East Williamsburg roads.
Henrico County DPW also is installing lighting at Rocketts Landing on the Virginia Capital Trail, from the City of Richmond limits south for approximately 1,100 feet to Old Delaware Street.
DPW's upcoming traffic calming and safety projects in Varina are focusing on pedestrian improvements on Beulah Road, with construction scheduled to begin in summer.
Construction scheduled to begin in summer also includes speed bumps around Varina set for King Eider Drive, North Juniper Avenue, Hawkes Lane, North Virginia Avenue, Eanes Lane and Marlin Drive.
Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
