Hilbert hits brakes on proposed roundabout
The Times-Dispatch reports that 3rd District Councilmember Chris Hilbert has asked City Council to block construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue. The Richmond Planning Commission approved the proposal earlier this month. Council has scheduled a public hearing on the issue for September 8.
What’s the reason? Roundabouts relieve congestion and safety.
Here is his contact information. Perhaps if several people contacted him he would respond with more information about his actions. As someone who lives at that intersection, I would really like to see this roundabout go through (or have a good reason not to).
http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/citizen/city_gov/district3/biography.aspx
why would Hilbert even comment on this? A little out of his league I think….there are more things he needs to address other than traffic.
We live at the intersection, also, and actually will walk a block down Laburnum or Hermitage before we cross the street because the traffic is so unpredictable right at the intersection. I’m not sure why Hilbert has slowed the ball on this — interesting that the Highland Park roundabout is going full steam ahead.
I am amazed that anyone would object to such a positive improvement to our neighborhood. These improvements are in keeping with the master plan for Museums to Bloemendahl showing pavers at all major intersetions between the two locations. We need to also press forward on having the same thing done at the Bellevue and Hermitage intersection.
As the School Board member representing the Third District, I spoke at the Planning Commission meeting on July 7th and expressed the safety concerns of parents as well as those of Holton Principal, David Hudson.
I asked that someone from Traffic Engineering contact Richmond Public Schools Administration to address: 1) SAFETY of children crossing Laburnum Avenue when traffic lights are removed and roundabout is in place; and 2) how school buses will navigate that corner during morning rush-hour and afternoon release.
I am pleased to report that representatives from Traffic Engineering followed up on my request and spoke with our director of transportation, Mr. Ashley. They agreed that RPS will have an alternate route into the Holton bus drop-off and pick-up area and that a cross-walk has been promised has been promised at the corner of Laburnum Avenue and Monticello.
Roy Reynolds, president of Bellevue Civic Association has said that the Traffic Engineering people have promised that if there is not a dramatic reduction in the number and severity of accidents at this site, that they will remove the roundabout and return the intersection to the way it is now.
I have thanked everyone for trying to do something about this dangerous intersection, but have insisted that before I can be in support of this, I need to receive their promises in writing. I ask that citizens share their concerns — both positive and negative — either on this news site or by e-mailing me directly at: Wolfies@aol.com.
Respectfully,
Carol A.O. Wolf
As the School Board member representing the Third District, I spoke at the Planning Commission meeting on July 7th and expressed the safety concerns of parents as well as those of Holton Principal, David Hudson.
I asked that someone from Traffic Engineering contact Richmond Public Schools Administration to address: 1) SAFETY of children crossing Laburnum Avenue when traffic lights are removed and roundabout is in place; and 2) how school buses will navigate that corner during morning rush-hour and afternoon release.
I am pleased to report that representatives from Traffic Engineering followed up on my request and spoke with our director of transportation, Mr. Ashley. They agreed that RPS will have an alternate route into the Holton bus drop-off and pick-up area and that a cross-walk has been promised at the corner of Laburnum Avenue and Monticello.
Roy Reynolds, president of Bellevue Civic Association has said that the Traffic Engineering people have promised that if there is not a dramatic reduction in the number and severity of accidents at this site, that they will remove the roundabout and return the intersection to the way it is now.
I have thanked everyone for trying to do something about this dangerous intersection, but have insisted that before I can be in support of this, I need to receive their promises in writing. I ask that citizens share their concerns — both positive and negative — either on this news site or by e-mailing me directly at: Wolfies@aol.com.
Respectfully,
Carol A.O. Wolf
Here is the resolution passed by the Bellevue Civic Association Board in response to Mr Hilbert’s paper.
It should be noted that Mr. Hilbert did not contact the BCA prior to introducing his paper and did not attend any of the public information meetings.
Bellevue Civic Association
Richmond, Virginia
A RESOLUTION
The Board of Directors of the Bellevue Civic Association, having convened in a special called meeting on July 19, 2008, hereby resolves as follows:
Whereas, the intersection of Hermitage and Laburnum Avenues, which straddles the neighborhoods of Bellevue, Rosedale and Ginter Park, has presented safety hazards, particularly as exhibited by a recent collision resulting in fatalities; and,
Whereas, area residents have expressed frustration and have repeatedly requested the City to take action to improve safety at this intersection; and,
Whereas, the City of Richmond Department of Public Works Traffic and Engineering Division has researched the safety issues at this intersection and conducted studies which lead to the conclusion that a modern roundabout was the most favorable, economical, and safe solution to the traffic and safety problems at the intersection; and,
Whereas, the use of roundabouts, as reflected by the research conducted by the Department of Public Works are a proven method for reducing the severity and number of traffic accidents; and,
Whereas, the Department of Public Works has satisfactorily answered residents’ questions and concerns on issues such as pedestrian traffic, potential impacts on Holton Elementary School, landscaping, design, signs and navigation;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Bellevue Civic Association Board of Directors supports and is in favor of the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage and Laburnum Avenues, and respectfully requests that the Land Use Committee take no action that would impede the progress toward construction of the proposed roundabout; that the Land Use Committee either take no action on proposed Ordinance No. 2008-189 or, in the alternative, oppose said ordinance; and, further requests that the Land Use Committee take any and all necessary action in furtherance of the project.
This resolution was voted upon and unanimously approved by the Bellevue Civic Association Board of Directors, as reflected in the minutes of the special called meeting held on July 19, 2008.
Date:
Roy Reynolds, President
Bellevue Civic Association
I am disappointed in Chris Hilbert’s decision to “hit the brakes” on the proposed roundabout at Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue. The A.P. Hill intersection roundabout project is a way to help calm the flow of traffic through a busy intersection and thereby, reduce the number of accidents. I attended two separate community meetings in which City traffic engineer, Tom Flynn, and his team presented the plan to the community. Councilman Hilbert did not even attend either meeting.
I disagree with Mr. Hilbert’s decision to block construction of the traffic calming project because the citizens have voiced their concern, had their questions addressed and support the project. The traffic engineering department has conducted a thorough study and presented their findings to the community. The Richmond Planning Commission has approved the plan. So Mr. Hilbert’s unwillingness to allow this to move forward, at this late stage, is unfortunate, baffling and disappointing.
My concern about how residents, particularly children, cross a busy intersection without a traffic light was alleviated when Mr. Flynn explained that the crosswalk will be moved back from the intersection. Cars, which will be moving at a slower speed, will be required to yield to pedestrians in the specially marked crosswalk area.
Mr. Flynn also presented documentation and safety facts demonstrating how roundabouts have made a significant positive impact in other cities. In addition, I did my own research and found out that roundabouts in other cities are working quite well. In fact, they appear to be the preferred safety measure for major intersections reducing injury crashes by up to 75%, according to VDOT.
The overall redesign of the intersection will allow for traffic calming and a more appealing intersection, contributing to the residential character of our community. We must move past the point in Richmond where we continually delay projects, frequently resulting in their demise.
Take your foot off the brakes, Mr. Hilbert, and allow this project to move forward for the benefit and safety of Third District residents!
I would appreciate it if Mr. Hilbert and Mr. Davis would please answer the following questions:
1. I know Mr. Davis has children who attend Holton, so I am sure he understands the danger of having young children cross Laburnum Avenue without a light. Where will the crossing guard be?
2. What plans are there to guarantee the safety of the children during construction? [MANY THANKS TO MRS. WOLF (SCHOOL BOARD) and MR. HUDSON (PRINCIPAL)for watching out for the children! They are BOTH GREAT!]
3. What plans are there to deal with the congestion of parking problem that results when Holton parents park on the side of the Laburnum to drop off or pick up kids. Traffic along Laburnum gets really dangerous when there is a PTA meeting or an event at Holton. What can be done to alleviate that?
4. How much will this round-about cost? How long will it take to construct?
5. Why does Mr. Hilbert oppose it?
6. Why is Mr. Davis in favor of it?