Category Archives: transportation

GRTC Holding More North-South Corridor Study Meetings

Posted on by
Reply

GRTC (Greater Richmond Transportation Company) is a local government-owned public service company (essentially a ‘public-private partnership’) which operates an urban-suburban bus line based in Richmond, Virginia.

From announcement:

GRTC is planning the future of high-capacity transit in the Richmond Region. Building on the success of Pulse’s Broad Street route, GRTC is studying potential corridors for a second route running from north to south and connecting to the Broad Street route in Downtown Richmond. GRTC is coordinating with the City of Richmond, Henrico County, and Chesterfield County to determine a route that optimizes regional ridership, accessibility, and equity. This project focuses on getting to an alignment that makes sense as a next step in growing Richmond’s BRT network.

The study area includes U.S. 1 between Virginia Center Commons and Chester, U.S. 60 from Downtown Richmond to Westchester Commons, and U.S. 360 from Downtown Richmond to Commonwealth Center Parkway. GRTC will evaluate how this north-south route will cross the James River, using either the Route 1 Bridge, the Manchester Bridge, or the Mayo Bridge. The ultimate recommendation at the end of this step of the planning process will be a potential north-south BRT alignment along some combination of the corridors being studied. The decision on where to start first will help us as we move forward with funding and design of the potential route.

This step of the planning process is just the first in a series of steps that must be approved before actual construction of the project can begin. Once an alternative is selected, GRTC will begin the environmental review process, and develop cost and ridership estimates. GRTC will conduct public outreach at each step in the process.

Story Map
To learn more about the study and help us plan this new north-south line, click through the following Story Map bit.ly/Pulse-North-South-Survey

Open Houses
Join us at an in-person open house to learn more about the study and provide feedback on proposed options. Both meetings will present the same material.

Open houses are from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with brief presentation at 6 pm.

Monday, May 8, 2023
John Marshall High School
4225 Old Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
Bus Stop: Chamberlayne & Westminster (Route 1, 3-minute walk)

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
River City Middle School
6300 Hull Street Road
Richmond, VA 23224
Bus Stop: Hull & Elkhardt School (Route 1C, 3-minute walk)

GRTC strives to provide reasonable accomodations and services for persons who require special assistance to participate in this public involvement opportunity. Contact GRTC’s ADA Coordinator at (804) 358-3871 x434 or adacoordinator@ridegrtc.com for more information. Para informacion en espanol llame al (804) 358-3871 x434.

Train Horn Wakes Neighborhood And Then Some

Posted on by
Reply

Around 4 am this morning, Oregon Hill residents were woken up by a train horn. Now, since the neighborhood is very close to CSX train tracks that are along the Kanawha Canal on the old tow path, the neighborhood is very used to trains sounds and hearing a train horn or two. Usually, folks just roll over and go back to sleep. But this horn kept going off pretty much nonstop. Some called 911, fearing another emergency along the tracks.

But the neighborhood was not alone. Evidently the horn kept going for the train’s entire journey, as Fulton neighborhood residents and Williamsburg, VA residents were reporting it this morning also.

Unofficial reports say that an air valve was stuck and that is why the horn kept sounding.

Between this and the early morning trash trucks, expect a lot of bleary eyed neighbors today.

School Bus Slighting Of Oregon Hill?

Posted on by
3

Oregon Hill, in recent years, has grown its younger population- more households have had babies, and more families with children have moved into the neighborhood. It’s been a welcome trend and it speaks to the ‘good bones’ of this historic, urban enclave.

That said, Oregon Hill parents are concerned about the lack of transportation options for getting their children to school, and feel like the public system should be doing more.

“RPS school bus schedules are out. Not a single bus stop in Oregon Hill! It is like we don’t even exist,” is one message that was sent.

Of course, as the pandemic continues, many localities are dealing with a shortage of school bus drivers, and other resource problems, and many are wondering if virus variants of COVID-19 will lead to the schools closing again anyway.

Antique Cars Today, Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony Tomorrow

Posted on by
Reply

From Neighbor and OHNA President Todd Woodson:

Hope you are having a blessed Memorial Day Weekend!

Today (Sunday) between 1:15-1:45, a group of about 30 Vintage cars will be driving down 300 block S Cherry on a road rally from the Antique Auto Club.

Well worth a walk over to see.

Also, tomorrow, our neighbor the Virginia War Memorial will be holding its annual Memorial Day service. Due to the current stay-at-home orders, they regretfully cannot host their annual Memorial Day events open to the public. The Virginia War Memorial instead invites you to this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony “virtually” at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25. To watch, connect on their website.

Bike Thefts Prompt Police Message

Posted on by
Reply

From Richmond Police Department’s Sector 413 Lieutenant James Roberts:

During the past 30 days there have been five reported bicycle thefts in the Oregon Hill neighborhood. All of the bicycles appear to have been left unsecured. Two were stolen from porches and three from rear yards or unlocked sheds. If possible, please store your bicycle inside your residence, as this is by far the safest place for it. If you must leave your bicycle outdoors, always use a U-Lock to secure your bicycle to a sturdy fixed object that cannot easily be cut. Sheds and garages can provide a false sense of security and actually provide little defense against a determined thief. In fact, they provide concealment for thieves to operate undetected. If you do store property in your shed or garage, ensure that the structure is secured with sturdy locks and that items such as bicycles are affixed to solid, immovable objects inside the structure. Also, be certain to capture your wheels through the U-Lock or an additional cable lock to prevent them from simply being removed and to make your bicycle a less likely target. As always, please report suspicious activity to police at (804) 646-5100 or call 911 for emergencies.