Tragedy, Comedy, Free Ice Cream, and a Northside Intersection
Cheers RVA!
After a week of rest and the opportunity to swim in both all seven of Richmond’s public pools and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s nice to be back in your inboxes.
Today will be sunny with a high of 77 and a low of 56 in the evening.
the juice:
A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Wednesday for construction of the Fall Line Trail in Bryan Park.
A couple dozen protesters attended to oppose the trail’s route, which runs directly through the park and alongside the soccer fields.
While the “Citizens for a Responsible Fall Line Trail” say they support the trail, they are in favor of a different route design.
The Bryan Park section will be a major access point known as a trailhead, which provides amenities such as parking and bathrooms.
Construction is set to begin in 2025 and expected to last six months, at a cost of $3 million.
the pulp:
One of the hostages killed in the Gaza Strip whose body was recently recovered was a Richmond resident and congregant of the Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue on Patterson Ave, via the RTD.
Three homicides occurred over the weekend in Richmond. A man was stabbed in Gilpin Court on Friday, and a man shot in Fairfield on Saturday evening. A man was also shot and killed Sunday evening on Southside on Treehaven Drive, just blocks away from another homicide that occurred on the same street a few weeks ago. The total homicides to date this year in Richmond is 40, as compared to 49 this time a year ago.
Richmond Public Libraries are offering free ice cream at Gelati Celesti for those who sign up for a library card this month, via RICtoday.
RVA Mag reviews the best local spots for comedy including open mic nights here.
the dive:
A public meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss proposed changes to the intersection of Hermitage and Laburnum, via RVAHub.
The consulting firm Kimley Horn prepared an Intersection Alternatives study for the city, which can be viewed here.
Included in the research was an assessment of crashes that occurred at the intersection from 2018-2023.
In total, there were 149 collisions with zero fatalities, 1 suspected major injury, 38 suspected minor injuries, 7 possible injuries, and 103 crashes with property damage only.
The majority of crashes occurred by vehicles colliding at an angle, with rear ends and side swipes (in the same direction) comprising most of the other types of accidents.
Most crashes occurred during the day in clear conditions.
Several alternatives are proposed:
1a is to add dedicated left turn lanes for all four directions, 1b is to restrict left turns for all four directions
2a and 2b are the same as 1a and 1b, but add protections for pedestrians and cyclists via setbacks
3a is a roundabout with slip lanes, while 3b is a hybrid roundabout
Hybrid roundabouts optimize safety and throughput for all users of the system, incorporating all of the safety benefits of alternatives 2a and 2b.
Traditional intersections with red and green lights also have the negative externality of enabling competition among drivers off the line, whereas roundabouts force all types of drivers to slow speed and negotiate paths.
The intersection will be part of the Fall Line trail section that runs through Richmond, so a solution with protected multi-use paths would be ideal.
The public meeting will take place tomorrow from 5 - 630 pm at Linwood-Holton Elementary.
Check out the full report here.
the vibe:
Have a fantastic day RVA!
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