May 1998

DATE: May 21, 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 Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 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 June 5 and 6 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 8:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before the races, as well as between 10:15 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday after the races," he said. "We expect heavy traffic all day Friday and Saturday because of other events scheduled at the raceway," Foster said.

The County's Division of Police will have officers on duty 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, June 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 June 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, June 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 $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 June 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: May 21, 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, June 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 June 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: May 19, 1998

CONTACT: Ann Stone, Operations Manager

PHONE:226-1941

The Capital Area Training Consortium is participating in the Summer Food Service Program in conjunction with our summer vocational/remediation projects. Meals will be provided to all children without charge. All students will meet Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) eligibility. Acceptance and participation requirement for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Both breakfast and lunch will be provided at the sites and times listed below for JTPA participants enrolled:

Virginia Randolph Community High School
2204 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
June 22 - July 30
Breakfast: 7:30 - 7:50 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Chesterfield Technical Center
10101 Courthouse Road Extension
Chesterfield, VA 23832
June 30 - August 13
Breakfast: 8 - 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Patrick Henrico High School
12449 West Patrick Henry Road
Ashland, VA 23005
June 22 - August 13
Breakfast: 8:30 - 9 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

New Kent High School
7501 Egypt Road
New Kent, VA 23124
June 22 - July 30
Lunch Only: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write immediately to:

Administrator
Food and Nutrition Service - USDA
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302

DATE: May 13, 1998

CONTACT: Lloyd Hicks, Henrico Extension Agent

PHONE: 501-5160

The Henrico County Extension Office is now accepting applications for the summer 4-H camp that will take place August 17 - 21, at the Jamestown 4-H Center in Williamsburg. The 4-H camp is open to all boys and girls between the ages of nine and 13 (effective September 30, 1998).

Campers will be supervised 24 hours a day, will bunk in modern cabins, eat at the dining hall, swim in the Olympic-sized pool, and canoe in the James River. The $140 fee includes meals, lodging, transportation, instructional classes, and use of all camp facilities.

The Extension Office will accept applications until the camp reaches capacity. Extension staff encourages those interested to submit their applications by June 1. Once the camp reaches capacity, children will be placed on a waiting list.

To obtain an application or for more information call 501-5160.

DATE: May 12, 1998

CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4207

Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will host a tour of the Richmond International Airport for his next constituent meeting on Monday, June 15. Tour buses will depart from the Henrico County Government Center Administration Building parking lot, 4301 East Parham Road, at 6:30 p.m.

"This is an opportunity for our residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at the airport's operation," Thornton said. "Everything from boarding gates to baggage, departing and arriving flights encompasses a great deal of preparation and planning for airport staff," he said.

Those people who want to tour the airport must call 501-4207 to reserve a bus seat no later than Monday, June 1.

Thornton encourages public participation at all of his constituent meetings, and asks that each participant invite three other people to join the tour.

DATE: May 11, 1998

CONTACT: Janet Coon, General Registrar

PHONE: 501-4345

The Henrico County Electoral Board and the Office of the General Registrar will honor three Freeman High School students for their election day volunteer work on Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Acca Temple Shrine, 1712 Bellevue Avenue.

Jason Bush, Clark Williams, and Barrett Wheeler answered telephones and researched computerized voter information to assist the registrar's office last election day.

General Registrar Janet Coon said, "These three young men did an excellent job, and we want to recognize them for their efforts. We encourage other students to become involved in the election process the way they did - it was a great learning experience for the students, and an enormous help to us," she said.

Vice Chairman of the Henrico County Electoral Board A.J. Penley, Jr. will present certificates of appreciation for community service to each of the three student volunteers.

DATE: May 7, 1998

CONTACT: Bev Donati

PHONE: 795-7822

Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will discuss Henrico's recreation and park facilities, as well as upcoming summer programs, at his next town meeting on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m., at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road.

Assistant Director of Recreation and Parks Karen Mier will join Donati in presenting an overview of upcoming summer curriculum, and will answer questions and help direct residents to activities designed to meet their needs.

"This will be a lively, upbeat presentation by Karen and other staff members to show our residents what the county has to offer in the way of recreation, and what facilities are available for their use," Donati said. "We have programs and activities for everyone, from young children to seniors," he said.

Donati generally holds town meetings the third Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public.