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DATE: April 27, 1999 Heavy traffic is expected on roadways leading to and from Richmond International Raceway (RIR) at the Virginia State Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill during the NASCAR race on Saturday, May 15. 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 May 15," 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: April 27, 1999 Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon's next town meeting will feature a special program and tour of the Richmond International Airport (RIC) on Wednesday, May 12. Participants will board buses near the entrance of the Board Room in the Administration Building at the Henrico Government Center, Parham and Hungary Spring roads. Buses will leave promptly at 6:30 p.m. "I believe anyone who attends this presentation will be surprised at what they learn," said O'Bannon. "Most of us don't realize what the airport means to the metropolitan region. It is an important aspect of central Virginia's economy," she said. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at the airport's facilities and learn about the plans for expansion and improved services, such as parking. Those who want to join the tour must call 501-4207 to reserve a bus seat no later than Friday, May 7. DATE: April 26, 1999 "1999 Henrico Budget Highlights and the Virginia Community Development Loan Fund Program" will be the topic of Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton's next constituent meeting on Monday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., at the Henrico Training Center, Public Safety Building, 7721 E. Parham Road. Henrico's Budget Director Reta Busher will join Thornton to discuss the upcoming fiscal plan, and to field questions from the audience. "I want to give our residents the opportunity to see where their tax dollars are going, and to know what plans are in store for the upcoming year," Thornton said. Thornton encourages public participation at his constituent meetings, and asks that each person planning to attend bring along three others. DATE: April 26, 1999 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, May 13, Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15. 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 May 13, 14 and 15 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, May 15. 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 May 15. 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, May 15, 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 May 13, 14 and 15. * 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: April 21, 1999 Henrico County Circuit Court Judge George F. Tidey has been elected to serve as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court through June, 2000. Tidey is filling the unexpired term of Judge Buford M. Parsons, Jr. who will retire in July. Tidey is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the T.C. Williams School of Law. He began his tenure with Henrico County in 1984 as the Commissioner in Chancery. He served as a substitute judge of the General District Court from 1977 through 1985, then as a permanent judge of the General District Court until 1988. Tidey became a Circuit Court judge in May, 1988. Tidey's term as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court began on April 5. DATE: April 19, 1999 The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association presented Henrico's Planning Commission representative Mary Wade the 1999 Planning Leadership Award at their annual conference held in Charlottesville this year. Representing Henrico's Three Chopt District, Wade has served on the Commission for 19 years, and has assisted with more than 500 rezoning cases, 400 approved subdivisions, and 800 approved development plans. "I attended the conference having no idea that I was even a nominee, never mind an award recipient. I must admit that Henrico and its Three Chopt District mean a lot to me, and I'm just honored to be awarded for something that I love to do," said Wade. DATE: April 15, 1999 Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists that Lauderdale Drive between John Rolfe Parkway and Cambridge Drive will close on Monday, April 19, to construct a box culvert over Copperas Creek. The construction is part of the Lauderdale Drive widening project. The road will reopen within six weeks. Motorists may use John Rolfe Parkway, Gayton Road, and Cambridge Drive as detours. DATE: April 13, 1999 Supervisor Jim Donati invites residents to a community workshop to present the 2015 Update of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, on Thursday, April 22, at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. The workshop will begin with an open house at 6 p.m., followed by an informational session at 7 p.m. "County representatives will be on hand to present the initial recommendations for new park locations to serve the expected county population in 2015," said Donati. "Many citizens have expressed interest in the Open Space Plan and will be allowed to comment on the plan during the workshop," he said. Donati generally holds town meetings the third Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public. DATE: April 8, 1999 The County of Henrico Department of Social Services is offering a free, eight-week class for people interested in becoming foster parents. The first class will be Wednesday, April 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Foster parents are especially needed for abused or neglected children, and teenagers. For more information, call 501-4060. DATE: April 6, 1999 The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hunton Civic Association, Greenwood Road and Old Washington Highway. Rabies shots are required for dogs and cats four months old and older. Shots cost $6 each and come with a certificate of inoculation. Dog tags may also be purchased for $10. DATE: April 6, 1999 Henrico County will hold a public hearing for the 1999-00 fiscal year budget on Tuesday, April 13, at 6 p.m., in the Government Center Board Room, at Parham and Hungary Spring roads. The regularly scheduled board meeting will immediately follow the public hearing. The County Manager will present the proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors, who will vote whether to adopt the budget at the April 27 board meeting. DATE: April 5, 1999 "Henrico County in the Year 2000" is the topic of Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon's next town meeting on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m., at Byrd Middle School, 9400 Quioccasin Road. "The next millenium is at our doorstep and many changes are in store for Henrico citizens," O'Bannon said. "Our County Manager will be there to highlight major issues and trends he envisions for the Year 2000 and beyond," she said. O'Bannon's monthly town meetings are open to the public.
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