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DATE: April 24, 2000 Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O'Bannon will host a special bus tour of Henrico's historic Mountain Road corridor for her next town meeting on Wednesday, May 17. The bus will leave promptly at 6:15 p.m. from the Government Center Administration Building, 4301 E. Parham Road, and will return to the same location at approximately 8:30 p.m. Representatives from Henrico County's Division of Recreation and Parks will join O'Bannon's informational tour of historic and cultural sights. Highlights will include Meadow Farm and The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. "This tour is a rare opportunity to see several of Henrico's treasures first hand," said O'Bannon. There is no cost for the bus tour; however, advanced reservations are required. Call 501-4208 by May 5. Seating is limited. For more information, Internet users may visit O'Bannon's web site at www.patobannon.com. Her monthly town meetings are open to the public. DATE: April 20, 2000 Heavy traffic is expected on roadways leading to and from the Richmond International Raceway (RIR) during the NASCAR race on Saturday, May 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 May 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: April 19, 2000 The County of Henrico Department of Public Works will temporarily modify traffic patterns on major arterial routes to the Richmond International Raceway Thursday, May 4, Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 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 May 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 8:00 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, May 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 May 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, May 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 May 4, 5 and 6. * 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: April 10, 2000 Three Chopt District Supervisor David Kaechele is hosting a special constituent meeting to address "Past Winter-Related Power Outages and Future Effects of Deregulation" on Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m., in the Short Pump Elementary School's Multipurpose Room, 3425 Pump Road. Representatives from Henrico County government, Virginia Power and the State Corporation Commission will join Kaechele to present this complex topic and help answer questions. "Area residents are curious about Virginia Power's policies and procedures for responding to power outages," said Kaechele. "We hope this meeting will clarify the issues and explain how deregulation may impact service," he added. Kaechele's constituent meeting is open to the public. DATE: April 7, 2000 Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O'Bannon will discuss "Animal Control and You--Don't Be Bitten" at her next town meeting on Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m., Gayton Library, 10600 Gayton Road. Representatives from Henrico County's Animal Protection Unit will join O'Bannon in addressing concerns and answering questions. "Many residents are unaware of Henrico's animal protection efforts including how to avoid rabid animals," said O'Bannon. For more information, Internet users may visit O'Bannon's web site at www.patobannon.com. Her monthly town meetings are open to the public. DATE: April 6, 2000 Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will host a town meeting to discuss "Preparing Your Landscape for Spring; You, Too, Can Have the Lawn of Envy" on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m., at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. "Now is a great time to learn how to have a healthier and better-looking lawn," said Donati. Henrico County Extension Agent Charles K. Curry will join Donati's presentation and help answer questions. Donati usually holds town meetings the third Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public; everyone is welcome to attend. DATE: April 5, 2000 The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will begin its next board meeting on Tuesday, April 11, at 6 p.m., rather than the regularly scheduled time, 7 p.m. The meeting will begin with a public hearing for the budget. The Board typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., in the Government Center Board Room, located at Parham and Hungary Spring roads. |