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DATE: August 25, 1999 Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will host a bus tour of the Richmond International Airport (RIC) for his next constituent meeting on Monday, September 13. Buses will depart from the Henrico High School parking lot, 302 Azalea Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. "I've hosted these tours of the airport before, and those who attend are always enlightened by what they see," Thornton said. "This tour of the RIC facility really gives people a behind-the-scenes look at airport functions - from safety checks to baggage claim," he said. Those people interested in the Fairfield tour must call 501-4208 to reserve a bus seat by Tuesday, September 7. DATE: August 24, 1999 On Wednesday, August 25 and Thursday, August 26, the Henrico County Department of Public Works will pave the northbound lanes of Parham Road between Patterson Avenue and Quioccasin Road. Northbound traffic on Parham Road can expect delays primarily between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Patterson Avenue traffic can also expect delays while this work is in progress. DATE: August 23, 1999 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 11. 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 11," 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 23, 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, September 9, Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11. 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 9, 10 and 11 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and between noon and 8:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before the races, as well as between 9:45 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 11. 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 11. 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 11, 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 9, 10 and 11. From the east (Hampton Roads area) -- on Interstate 64 west. There are two routes possible. 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. 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, 1999 The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists that Hermitage Road, between Oakview Avenue and Sanford Drive, will be closed from Monday, August 23 through Friday, August 27, in order to replace the railroad crossing. A detour will be provided to direct traffic around the construction site. DATE: August 17, 1999 The Henrico County Extension Office will hold two free fall lawn care sessions in August. The first program, on Thursday, August 26, will begin with a demonstration at 5:30 p.m., followed by a lawn care clinic from 7 to 8 p.m. The program will be repeated Saturday, August 28 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Both sessions will be held at the Extension Office, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Representatives from area retailers will demonstrate lawn care equipment at each session. Program topics include lawn recovery from damaging summer conditions, winterization, fertilization, overseeding, soil condition improvement, weed control, and more. The Extension Office also encourages area residents to join the LawnKnowers program, where master gardeners teach lawn care practices from correct watering and mowing to weed, insect, and disease control. The program costs $25 which covers one soil test, the LawnKnowers Homeowner Guide, rain and mowing height gauges, and other publications. Consultations with the master gardeners and the periodical Lawn Lessons are free. For details and to register for the free lawn care sessions, or for more information about the LawnKnowers program, call 501-5160. Return to Public Relations & Media Services Page |