CHESTERFIELD CO., Va. (WRIC) — Back in July, residents who live off Woolridge Road in Chesterfield voiced frustration and concerns over a plan to expand the road from two lanes to a four lane highway with a median.
“There’s no combinations for pedestrians or bicyclists, you’re going to have bicycles competing with cars,” said resident Donald Delegge.
Delegge has been an outspoken critic of the plan and along with other residents created a task force to study the issue. The county says it’s expecting a big increase in traffic as the area continues to develop, and says four lanes are needed.
“We’re looking upwards of 20,000 cars a day in certain sections is what we’re projecting in about 20 years,” said Chesterfield transportation director Jessie Smith.
Delegge says the task force has worked with three civil engineers to come up with their own proposal, keeping Woolridge Road two lanes but widening it to include a bike lane on either side, and one sidewalk.
“It makes for a much safer highway for all users of the highway,” said Delegge.
He says it will not only be able to handle the influx of traffic in the next twenty years but will also save Chesterfield money.
“We probably could come in under budget,” said Delegge.
“We will take a serious look at it, we will evaluate it,” said Smith.
Smith says after they evaluate that plan they will come back to residents with the results. Chesterfield County’s plan can be found here.
The plan presented by the resident task force can be found here.
At this point nothing is set in stone but the county would like to start construction by spring of next year.
