A Pedestrian Tragedy, Efforts to Improve Pedestrian Safety, and a Weekend of Orchids
Cheers RVA!
Today will be cloudy and windy with a slight chance of rain showers and a high of 68. The evening will drop down to around 40.
the juice:
The grace period for two of the city’s newest speed cameras has ended.
Cameras at the Richmond High School for the Arts on Midlothian and at Thomas Jefferson High School on Malvern will be issuing tickets beginning today for those traveling 10+ mph over the speed limit during arrival and dismissal times.
the pulp:
A pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle on Monument Avenue last Thursday night has died, via WTVR. The man was believed to be walking in the right westbound lane near Pepper Avenue when the incident occurred. That stretch of Monument has no sidewalks and only a couple of crosswalks near St. Mary’s Hospital.
The interim Department of Public Utilities director Anthony “Scott” Morris will stay on the job permanently, according to the RTD.
The Richmond School Board faces some tough choices ahead as the city goes through a “lean year”, according to Sarah Vogelsong at the Richmonder. An initial budget proposal from Superintendent Jason Kamras had asked for $43.7 million more in funding for operations, and an additional $13.6 million for building improvements. Kamras said regarding his budget proposal:
I think it is likely that the only thing in this entire 40-page document that we will be able to afford is our collective bargaining agreements. So if you asked me tonight to put forward a budget proposal that I think is realistic given everything I know about our current revenue forecast, that is what I would propose to you this evening.
Richard Hayes at RVAHub has compiled a list of upcoming events at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, beginning with a “weekend of orchids” that opens this Friday.
the dive:
Pedestrian improvements are coming to Hermitage Road in Henrico, from WWBT.
Capital Projects manager for the department of Public Works Ryan Levering said:
We are looking at your traditional curb and gutter sidewalks in some places, traffic calming options, and safer pedestrian options for those looking to cross the street.
Levering also noted some of the geographical challenges the project faces:
We’ve got a flood plain where we’ve got restrictions about what we can and can’t do. Several stream crossings, we’ve got several blind curves.
Study for the project began last year and is anticipated to conclude in the 2nd quarter of this year, with an estimated cost of $12-15 million.
Details of the project can be viewed here, and residents are encouraged to take a survey on the proposal here (it takes less than two minutes).
the vibe:
A crossing guard stopping traffic while children cross the street in 1975:
Have an attentive day RVA!
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