Contractors are installing asphalt bumps in four locations down the hill to divert water into the drain culverts. Hopefully these bumps are a work in progress because in their current form, they will certainly cause serious injury to any bicyclist trying to go down the hill.
The 2nd Street Connector road is an affront to community planning.
https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/10/17/despite-opposition-2nd-street-connector-construction-starts/
Still no justice for the demolished historic canal wall.
https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/10/24/somebody-should-be-going-to-jail/
No bike lanes makes this a mockery of the City’s push for more and better bicycling infrastructure.
https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/10/30/letters-to-the-editor/
It’s pretty obvious that this road is intended mostly for Dominion employees, so that they can drive to and from work faster. Recall Dominion Power’s Special Use Permit for its headquarters building on the riverfront. At the time, traffic was brought up as a chief concern, and Dominion assured City Council that existing roadways could serve the additional traffic created by its development. Now ten years later, Dominion is insisting on this new road while at the same time saying it has no plans for new development “at this time.”
It’s sad to see Richmond’s historic riverfront get this corporate driveway treatment. It deserves so much better.
#RVA and #RVABike: what are your thoughts on this as cyclists? http://t.co/iCoPTc5M
I can’t say that I approve of that design or the lack of consideration for non-vehicular traffic.
RT @riderichmond: #RVA and #RVABike: what are your thoughts on this as cyclists? http://t.co/iCoPTc5M
The fact that this road does not reasonably accommodate both vehicular traffic and bicycles is extremely disappointing especially since there is a lot of biking in and around that area. Another botched job by the annoyingly apathetic City of Richmond government.
I’ll be interested to see what the end product looks like. On the left side of the street when facing uphill, it appears they were digging a trench for wiring so lights could be installed. It also looked like they had roughed in space for a sidewalk after the wiring is down. Lastly, there is about an inch difference between the asphalt that is down and the concrete curbing, indicating that a final layer of asphalt will be put down at some point. So if that is the case, then those bumps would be removed or at least less obvious.
I heard back in December that a former owner of the property, before it was deeded to Venture Richmond, had, or thought he had an agreement giving him rights to the bricks of the canal and that he took matters into his own hands.
I haven’t heard any further updates on this in a couple of months. What is the status of the canal right now? Any further word on who might be responsible for this?
Shoot, that looks like a lot more fun to do on a bike than a car. Still can’t quite get my pickup truck to bunnyhop.
I’m with Denny R. I’m quite certain those are temporary to divert stormwater into the inlets until the asphalt is at the final grade as the concrete. They usually won’t put down the final layer of asphalt until construction traffic is finished.
Source: I inspect construction sites.
The water bars are temporary to divert stormwater to the drop inlets since the surface is below the gutter pans. They are not part of the final road surface.
You are all arguing for pathetic reasons, first of all the city of richmond is not funding this project, secondly the canal is preserved, and not having bike lanes are not an inhibiter to bikes on the streets of Richmond especially on a road like this which will not have much traffic outside of rush-hour.
I disagree with you, Marcus. Wait till summer.
But one other thing I forgot to add- there was a much better alternative in just extending Spring Street from 2nd to 5th.
https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/03/23/spring-street-connector/
Scott, how about an update and maybe some new pictures?
of the canal, I mean.
Jack Berry publicly opposed bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides here in order to minimize the road width– thus reducing the footprint on the Folk Festival and other events on this property.
Anyone know what the holdup is on completion of this road?
As a river goer, i love this addition. I know scott like to cry about dominion and all things corporate but get over it this is a needed addition to a heavily travelled site. For rivergoers to employees of a richmond company…we are all richmonders and this will serve many. The road is not done, as stated, sidewalks and final surface still to come. This thing will be a huge help in the summer months.
I am unsure how this road will be a huge help. The traffic in the summer means that this road will be a main thoroughfare…cars speeding down this hill (surprised by the angular speedbumps…hopefully) will have to come to an immediate halt at the bottom. ….there will be stopped traffic as pedestrians (who should have the right of way) will be walking and on bicycles. I have never had a car in Richmond and as a cyclist and walker, I know the level of intolerance by Richmonder drivers who will not stop long enough for us to pass on a bike next to them on this road and at the bottom of this new steep ‘ramp’ to the river. I also, besides accomodating Dominion execs, do not see how this connector will bring people to the river to enjoy it. A future for our James will mean a parking deck at the bottom of this road to allow people to enjoy the view of the river as they drive back and forth. This road will also mean the demise of the rest of the beautiful green Gambles Hill as New Market sells it off for mixed use and more roads are built.
Good article on amphitheater and concerns over its possible construction…http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/amphitheater-plan-stirs-worry-in-oregon-hill/article_f950cf2e-6379-5f4d-9578-d379afcae377.html
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The finished product turned out very nice. Although I do think the road could have been widened a few feet to accommodate a bike lane, it does have a nice sidewalk, lighting and landscaping. Additionally, this road is open for anyone to use and not just those “greedy” corporations (that are frequently and unfairly vilified on this website) to use for themselves. A further benefit will be less traffic on Byrd St. and 5th St..