August 29, 2005
CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
In preparation for the upcoming Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR event at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Thursday, Sept. 8; Friday, Sept. 9; and Saturday, Sept. 10. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.
Due to construction to the Laburnum Avenue bridge, traffic on Laburnum Avenue east of RIR will be limited to one eastbound lane. Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.
The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty to direct traffic around the area before and after the races.
Motorists not attending the race should turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, Sept. 10. This step will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 10 during peak hours:
· 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.
· Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at approximately 9 a.m. and continuing until the race starts.
· Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; however, in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times.
· Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and RIR may be routed eastbound, one lane westbound.
· After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue.
· After the race, Laburnum Avenue between the raceway and North Avenue may have three lanes routed westbound and one lane eastbound.
· After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road, beginning at approximately 10 p.m. and continuing until race traffic is dispersed.
· After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. This change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School to close at approximately 10 p.m. until race traffic is dispersed. Police will assist motorists turning from Azalea Avenue to Thrush Lane and Pony Farm Drive.
While these traffic patterns are in effect, median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except for the intersections of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue and Austin and Laburnum avenues. Only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue. Police will be positioned at these intersections before and after the race to assist motorists turning onto or crossing Laburnum Avenue.
WRXL 102.1 FM will broadcast traffic reports.
On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available Sept. 10 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $5. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m.
The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 8-10:
· From the east (Hampton Roads area) - Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike west (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
· From the east (Route 360) - Approach Richmond on Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike), cross Interstate 295, and continue west to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
· From the east (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue exit (Exit 195). Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
· From the north - Follow Interstate 95 south to the Interstate 295 east interchange (marked "To Norfolk - Williamsburg"). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
· From the north (local traffic) - Use Route 1 (Brook Road) to Azalea Avenue. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway.
· From the west - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Interstate 295 south interchange (Exit 177). Follow Interstate 295 south and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
· From the west (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit, turn left and proceed to the raceway.
· From the south - Follow Interstate 95 north to the interchange with Interstate 295 south of Petersburg. Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
· From the south (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 95 north to the Interstate 64 east interchange (Exit 75). Follow Interstate 64 to Route 360 east (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 east to Laburnum Avenue. Turn left and proceed to the raceway.
August 24, 2005
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer workshops to help residents understand their soon-to-be-free credit reports from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, and from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Human Services Building Board Room, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
Participants in "Accessing Your Free Credit Report" will learn how to obtain their credit report; how to recognize and understand the items it contains; and the importance of reviewing it regularly. The workshops are free and open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or for additional information.
The federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act entitles all U.S. consumers to a free annual copy of their credit report beginning Sept. 1. Consumers previously had to pay for the right to see the reports, which provide key information when they apply for loans, insurance, housing, jobs and more. An accurate credit report is an effective tool in fighting identity theft; it also can help guide consumers in their efforts to establish good credit.
The Henrico County Extension Office, a part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, responds to the needs of local individuals, families, groups and organizations with educational programs in four areas: agriculture and natural resources; family and community sciences; food, nutrition and health; and 4-H youth development. Log on to www.ext.vt.edu for more information.
August 22, 2005
CONTACT: Barbara Herzog, Director, Henrico CASA
PHONE: 501-5256
Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is seeking volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.
Volunteers will conduct interviews, provide written reports to Juvenile Court judges and assist the case attorney. Henrico CASA provides training free of charge for those accepted into the program.
Henrico CASA will conduct a seven-week training program from 6-9 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday beginning Monday, Oct. 3, at its office in the Court Annex, 4120 E. Parham Road. Volunteers will undergo interviews and background and reference checks as part of the application process. To apply or to obtain additional information, call Susan Hill at 501-5873 or e-mail hil29@co.henrico.va.us by Monday, Sept. 19.
Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
August 10, 2005
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will not hold a second meeting in August. The board will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Government Center Board Room, 4301 E. Parham Road. Call 501-4318 for more information.
August 10, 2005
CONTACT: Mark J. Coakley, General Registrar
PHONE: 501-4347
Henrico County residents wanting a first hand look at the new touch-screen voting machines being rolled out for the November election now have plenty of opportunities. The county's Registrar's Office is conducting demonstrations of the new voting equipment at a variety of locations throughout the county later this month and continuing through October. Henrico County is one of 48 Virginia localities using the WINvote system.
Listed below are the demonstration sites and dates.
· Sunday, Aug. 28, 4-6 p.m.: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, Antioch School Community Center
· Saturday, Sept. 10, 9-11 a.m.: Ukrop's Super Market, Laburnum Park Shopping Center
· Monday, Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m.: Glen Allen Public Library
· Tuesday, Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m.: Wal-Mart Super Center on Brook Road
· Thursday, Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m.: North Park Public Library
· Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Glen Allen Day, Meadow Farm
· Monday, Sept. 19, 3-5 p.m.: Beth Sholom Lifecare Community at the Woods
· Monday, Sept. 19, 6-8 p.m.: Dumbarton Public Library
· Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2-4 p.m.: Fairfield Public Library
· Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6-8 p.m.: Gayton Public Library
· Thursday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Virginia Center Commons Mall, Food Court
· Saturday, Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Show, Dorey Park
· Monday, Sept. 26, 12-2 p.m.: The Hermitage at Cedarfield, Activities Room
· Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m.: Westminister Canterbury House Assembly Room
· Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2-4 p.m.: Sandston Public Library
· Monday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m.: Innsbrook Public Library
· Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m.: Tuckahoe Public Library
· Thursday, Oct. 6, 1-3 p.m.: Lakewood Manor Activity Room
· Monday, Oct. 10, 1-3 p.m.: Varina Public Library
For additional information, call 501-4347 or log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/registrar.
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