August 1998

DATE: August 28, 1998

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer

PHONE: 501-4397

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 12.

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 12," 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, 1998

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer

PHONE: 501-4397

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 10, Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12. 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 10, 11 and 12 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 7:30 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 12. 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 12. 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 12, 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 $5. 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 10, 11 and 12.

*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 26, 1998

CONTACT: Curtis Walsh, CPPO, Assistant Director of General Services

PHONE: 501-5690

Henrico's Assistant Director of General Services Curtis L. Walsh, CPPO received the Albert H. Hall Memorial Award from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP) during its 53rd annual exposition in Phoenix, Arizona. This is NIGP's highest award and recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to NIGP throughout their careers.

Walsh represented Henrico County on the NIGP Board of Directors from 1981 through 1995, serving as president in 1989. He has remained active in two NIGP chapters and is a member of the Presidents Council.

The NIGP is a non-profit organization composed of 60 chapters in more than 1,800 federal, state, and local government agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

DATE: August 21, 1998

CONTACT: Rich Troyer, M.S.W., Case Manager, MH/MR

PHONE: 222-2607

Henrico Area Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services is offering Mutual Education, Support, and Advocacy (MESA) Family Workshops on Thursday evenings, September 3 through November 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Lakeside House, 5623 Lakeside Avenue.

MESA Family Workshops is a series of classes designed to provide education on mental illness and reduce the stress of family and friends who support people who have mental disorders.

The workshop is free. Mental Health staff encourages participants to attend the entire 12 week series. Interested families should call Rich Troyer at 222-2607 or Millie Negal at 261-8500.