RICHMOND, Va (WRIC) – Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones kicked off National Night Out in Church Hill Tuesday night by presenting a brand new roundabout. It sits at the intersection of 25th Street, Nine Mile Road and Fairmount Avenue. It will be open to traffic August 5.
“It’s a traffic calming notion, $1.1 million, and it really is an upgrade in terms of infrastructure for this neighborhood,” said Mayor Jones.
“I know everyone’s been a little anxious with all the detours and closed roads, but tomorrow, we’ll be able to access that resource, which was part of a community decision for what we would like to see here along this corridor,” announced city council member Cynthia Newbille from the 7th Voter District.
It’s part of the city’s plan to improve the area.
“The East End is a major priority for us in terms of the mitigation of poverty, in terms of transforming this entire neighborhood,” said Mayor Jones.
Most residents at the event were happy to have it, calling it a much needed upgrade.
“It’s kind of a pain corner because the lights just took forever and it backs up and everything because of the three intersections coming together…I think everything is going to flow better,” said Mitch Bennett, who works in the area.
“I like the way it is–the decorations, put little flowers down, it’s cute,” said resident Silvya Cooper.
But not everyone’s on board. Some complain drivers don’t know how to approach roundabouts, and doubt it’ll have any impact on safety.
“I definitely think a stop light will be safer in terms of speeding,” said Grayson Gilbert.
Officials note otherwise, stats in Virginia show traffic circles have reduced the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities.
“It’s a learning curve, it’s different. But at the end of the day it makes people slow down,” said Mayor Jones.
Get more info on roundabouts and how to navigate them here.
