August 1997

DATE: August 28, 1997

CONTACT: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager

PHONE: 672-4386

Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett announced today the appointment to a newly created Deputy County Manager position; Director of Planning Angela N. Harper will become the county's fifth Deputy County Manager effective September 3. She is the first woman ever to serve in this capacity with Henrico County.

As Deputy County Manager for Special Services, Harper's areas of responsibility will include intergovernmental coordination, assistance with economic development and special activities, including evaluation and recommendations concerning special projects and assistance on behalf of the county manager. According to Hazelett, this deputy position was created "to enhance the overall operation of Henrico County as we grow and expand in the future."

"Because of her expertise in planning, because of her long standing career with the county, and because of her tireless energy, I believe that Ms. Harper will provide us with a very valuable and sincere effort," Hazelett said. "It is for this reason that I have appointed Ms. Harper to take on these responsibilities," he said.

Harper began her career with Henrico County in 1971 as county planner. She was promoted to principal planner in 1979, to the assistant director of planning in 1986, and has been the director of planning since 1990. She earned a Master of Planning and Urban Development degree from the University of Virginia, and her undergraduate degree in Political Science, with a course emphasis in state and local government, from Memphis State University. Harper is active in professional planning organizations, and currently sits on four steering committees to which she was appointed by either the county manager or the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Assistant Director of Planning Randall R. Silber will act as the department's director while the county recruits to fill the position.

DATE: August 28, 1997

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer

PHONE: 672-4397

Heavy traffic is expected on roadways leading to and from Richmond International Raceway at the Virginia State Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill during the NASCAR race on Saturday, September 6.

The County of Henrico Department of Public Works suggests that motorists who are not attending the race but must travel through the area during the morning and early afternoon should turn on their vehicle's headlights. This signal will help police officers maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area. Although we realize that newer vehicles are being equipped with daytime running lights, we feel that we can distinguish between the running lights and the headlights.

"We're doing everything we can to minimize traffic congestion and to ensure traffic safety before and after the race," said Henrico County Traffic Engineer Tim Foster. "We'll have police officers on duty directing traffic, signs posted on main roads near RIR, and temporary traffic patterns to handle the enormous number of cars that will be in the area September 6," he said.

Police officers will watch for vehicles with headlights on and direct these cars toward a through-traffic lane outside of the flow of heavy raceway traffic.

DATE: August 28, 1997

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer

PHONE: 672-4397

The County of Henrico Department of Public Works will temporarily modify traffic patterns on major arterial routes to Richmond International Raceway at the Virginia State Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill Thursday, September 4, Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6. By implementing these modifications, the County hopes to minimize traffic congestion during the upcoming NASCAR races.

"Anyone attending the race should get there early," said Henrico County Traffic Engineer Tim Foster. "My best advice for everyone else is to avoid the raceway area the evenings of September 4, 5 and 6 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 8 p.m. on Thursday and between noon and 8:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before the races, as well as between 9:15 p.m. and midnight on Thursday and between 10:15 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday after the races," he said. "We expect heavy traffic all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday because of other events scheduled at the raceway," Foster said.

The County's Division of Police will have officers on duty Thursday, Friday and Saturday to direct traffic around the raceway area before and after the races.

Foster suggests that motorists not attending the race turn on their vehicle headlights while in the vicinity of the raceway during the afternoon and early evening on Saturday, September 6. This will help police officers maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.

During peak hours the following traffic patterns will be in effect September 6. Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue.

Traffic patterns on Meadowbridge Road prior to the race will also be modified to create a one-way road southbound between the Henrico/Hanover line and Azalea Avenue. This traffic pattern change will require that Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be closed to northbound traffic. It is anticipated that this change will be implemented between 1 and 3 p.m., and the one-way pattern will remain in effect until the race starts. Meadowbridge Road will remain a two-way roadway in Hanover County at all times prior to the race.

Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and the raceway will be routed westbound; one lane eastbound.

Eastbound traffic on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and the raceway will be routed in three lanes prior to the race; one lane westbound. For safety reasons, these patterns will not be reversed after the race. All traffic on Laburnum Avenue will be routed on the correct side of the median strip.

While these traffic patterns are in effect, all median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike,except the intersections of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue, and Austin and Laburnum avenues. With the exception of these intersections, only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue in this area. Police officers will be positioned at the intersection of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue and the intersection of Austin and Laburnum avenues before and after the race to assist residents and other motorists in turning to or from Laburnum Avenue or crossing Laburnum Avenue. In addition, turning movement restrictions will be enforced at major intersections on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and North Avenue.

Traffic patterns on Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be modified after the race to create a one-way road northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road. This one-way pattern is expected to be implemented by approximately 10 p.m. and be maintained until the race traffic is dispersed.

Traffic patterns on Azalea Avenue will be modified after the race so that three lanes of traffic will be provided in the westbound direction for traffic leaving the raceway between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School. One lane of traffic will be provided in the eastbound direction on this road segment. This traffic pattern change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School, including the intersection of Azalea Avenue and Wilkinson Road to be closed at approximately 10 p.m. and lasting until the race traffic is dispersed from the area. Police officers will assist residents in turning from Azalea Avenue on to Thrush Lane and onto Pony Farm Drive in order to get to their homes.

WRVA-AM 1140 radio and Metro Traffic will broadcast traffic reports before and after the race.

On Saturday, September 6, additional parking will be available at two satellite parking lots with free shuttle bus service to and from the raceway. Satellite parking will be at the VaPark parking lot--near the Richmond Coliseum between 4th and 5th streets, and East Jackson and East Leigh streets in downtown Richmond--and at the Azalea Flea Market (formerly the Country Peddler) at Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Parking in satellite lots will cost $4. Onstreet parking on major arterial routes to the raceway will be prohibited both days.

The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway on September 4, 5 and 6.

*From the east (Hampton Roads area) -- on Interstate 64 west. There are two routes possible.
Route A: Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north. Take Interstate 295 north and exit onto Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 west to Laburnum Avenue, turn right, and proceed to the raceway.
Route B: Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue exit. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.

*From the east -- on Route 360. Approach Richmond on Route 360 west, cross Interstate 295, and continue on Route 360 west. Follow Route 360 west to Laburnum Avenue, turn right, and proceed to the raceway.

*From the north -- on Interstate 95. There are two routes possible.
Route A: Follow Interstate 95 south to exit 82 (marked U.S. 301 south). Proceed to the intersection of Azalea and Chamberlayne avenues and turn left onto Azalea Avenue. Proceed to the intersection of Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Continue straight on Carolina Avenue or turn right onto Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and proceed to the raceway.
Route B: Follow Interstate 95 south to the interchange with Interstate 295 east (marked To Norfolk - Williamsburg). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west. Follow Meadowbridge Road (also known as Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) to the intersection of Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway.

*From the west -- on Interstate 64. Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and proceed to the raceway.

DATE: August 19, 1997

CONTACT: C.T. "Tom" Elliott, Clerk, Juvenile Court

PHONE: 672-5513

Effective August 15, C.T. "Tom" Elliott was appointed clerk to Henrico County's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Elliott, who has worked with the County's court system since 1978, succeeds Jan H. Hogge, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Clerk since 1989.

Elliott joined Henrico County in 1978 as a probation counselor. From 1976 through 1978 he worked as a probation counselor in Hanover County courts, and has worked with the correctional and judicial systems throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1974. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, has completed graduate studies in Administration of Justice and Public Safety, and is a member of the Virginia Juvenile Justice Association.