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DATE: August 24, 2001 Heavy traffic is expected on roadways leading to and from the Richmond Raceway Complex during the NASCAR race on Saturday, September 8. 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 8," 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 24, 2001 The County of Henrico Department of Public Works will temporarily modify traffic patterns on major arterial routes to the Richmond Raceway Complex Thursday, September 6, Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8. 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 6, 7 and 8 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 8 p.m. on Thursday, 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 8. 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 8. 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 10 a.m. and 12 noon, 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 may be routed westbound; one lane eastbound. Eastbound traffic on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and the raceway may be routed in three lanes prior to the race; one lane westbound. After the race, Laburnum Avenue will be closed to westbound traffic from Mechanicsville Turnpike to Carolina Avenue. 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 8, 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), the Coliseum Parking deck (between 7th and 8th streets), and at the Azalea Flea Market at Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Parking in satellite lots will cost $5. On street 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 6, 7 and 8. DATE: August 17, 2001 Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will host a free bus tour of the latest residential communities in the Fairfield District for his next constituent meeting on Monday, September 10. The bus will depart from the Henrico High School parking lot, 302 Azalea Avenue, at 6:45 p.m. A reservation is required; those interested in the tour should call 501-7449, by Friday, August 31. Thornton's meetings are open to the public; he encourages anyone interested in learning more about Fairfield housing to attend. U P D A T E Citizens in the Metropolitan Richmond area may notice their drinking water is discolored. Despite the discoloration, Richmond's water quality officials report the water is safe to drink. The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the discoloration poses no health issues. The discoloration is coming from elevated levels of manganese, a naturally occurring, harmless mineral. Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) water treatment plant staff is taking steps to remove the discoloration from the water. DPU officials do recommend that citizens avoid washing white and light colored clothes while the water is discolored. It is possible that they will take on a yellowish tint if washed with the discolored water. Officials in the City of Richmond and in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties have joined to issue this advisory to all citizens who receive drinking water from their public utilities departments. They will be closely monitoring the water quality and will issue additional notices if needed. The City of Richmond provides drinking water to all of the city and Henrico County. It also provides water to portions of Chesterfield and Hanover counties. Customers with questions about water quality may call Richmond's DPU Customer Service line 644-3000. DATE: August 15, 2001 Numerous Henrico County residents have reported discolored water coming from their faucets. According to the Virginia Department of Health, this water is not harmful. Henrico County Public Utilities is investigating the cause. Individuals with discolored water may choose to use an alternate water source. Henrico County is working with the City of Richmond and will alert the media with additional information as soon as it is available. DATE: August 13, 2001 Supervisor O'Bannon Selected For National Post Washington, D.C. - Supervisor Pat O'Bannon, Henrico County, has been appointed to serve as Vice Chair on the 2001-2002 National Association of Counties' (NACo) Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Steering Committee, a bipartisan coalition of 24 supervisors from throughout the country. Considered one of the most influential urban county organizations in the country, the coalition's main objective is to develop strategic programs and create opportunities to assist America's 100 largest urban counties as they address local, state and federal challenges. Javier Gonzales, NACo President and Santa Fe County Commissioner, praised O'Bannon for her outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the Caucus' agenda. "The Large Urban County Caucus Steering Committee is an invaluable extension of the National Association of Counties' policy and political process," said Gonzales. "The Caucus' main strength is that it addresses the core issues that impact the lives of all residents living in America's metropolitan counties. I am extremely pleased Pat O'Bannon has accepted the appointment because her insight will add greatly to the Caucus as it works to improve neighborhoods and communities throughout this great nation." Often meeting on a regular basis with key policy makers at the White House and in Congress, the Caucus develops a priorities agenda each fall to help guide officials throughout the year. In 2001 the Caucus' advocacy priorities included increasing home ownership, improving health care and reducing juvenile crime. The 100 member counties of the Large Urban County Caucus represent about 130 million people in 33 states, or nearly one in every two Americans. For additional information, access www.urbancounties.org. DATE: August 9, 2001 Henrico County Electoral Board Chairman Ronald B. Chaney, Sr. is presenting a comprehensive report today on election reform in Washington, D.C., as a member of the National Task Force on Election Reform. Chaney is the only representative from Virginia. Due to Election 2000 coverage and the amount of misinformation disseminated about the electoral process, The Election Center formed a task force to analyze the election process, identify issues and recommend improvements incorporating all levels of government. In total, they considered 34 issues and submitted 80 recommendations. The Election Center, a non-profit organization, appointed 37 members to the task force of elections professionals from local and state levels, small and large jurisdictions to mirror the country's voting population, a balance of race, age, gender and political affiliation. According to Chaney, the Task Force Subcommittee on Voting Systems found that problems associated with Election 2000 stemmed as much from inadequate and inconsistent voting and tabulation procedures as the use of inadequate voting systems. "Presently, no one voting system or brand is suitable for use in all jurisdictions," said Chaney. For a copy of the report, contact the Registrar's office at 501-4347. DATE: August 3, 2001 Henrico County is currently mailing new voter cards that reflect only the General Assembly redistricting changes, as required by law. Registered voters will receive new cards again which will indicate all other redistricting changes once the Department of Justice approves them. Please destroy all previous voter cards. To become a registered voter or to transfer your voter registration from another Virginia locality, you may obtain a Virginia Voter Registration Application at all voter registration and DMV offices throughout Virginia or, download the application from the State Board of Elections web site at www.sbe.state.va.us. The deadline to register is 29 days before the election. If you do not receive either a voter card or a denial letter, call the Voter Registration and Elections Office at 501-4347, to ask about the status of your application. To inquire about your magisterial district, please call the Planning Office at 501-4602. DATE: August 2, 2001 The National Association of County Intergovernmental Relations Officials (NACIRO) has installed Henrico County Legislative Liaison Linda G. Robinson as vice president and treasurer. NACIRO conducts White House briefings and provides a forum for intergovernmental officials throughout the country to work with congressional and administration officials on issues central to local government. Robinson began her career with Henrico County in 1991. She is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations and serves on the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC). Both NACIRO and LUCC are affiliates of the National Association of Counties. Robinson earned a bachelor's degree in governmental communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. DATE: August 2, 2001 The Henrico County Extension Office is sponsoring two free fall lawn care field days in August. Field days will take place on Thursday, August 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, August 25, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the Government Center Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Participants can watch demonstrations of lawn care products and equipment, listen to a variety of topics ranging from summer lawn recovery to winter preparation, and learn about the LawnKnowers program. Call the Extension Office at 501-5160 to register or for more information. |