More bike lanes could be coming to the VCU area. The city wants to increase bicycle infrastructure on Franklin Street by extending the current bike lane west from Belvidere to Lombardy Street. Richmonders can take a survey to review proposed designs and provide their input.
There are five alternatives being considered by the city. Each is divided into A and B sections, with A being the proposal for Lombardy to Harrison Street and B being the proposal for Harrison to Belvidere.
Option 1 is the only proposal which would not add a bike lane, instead maintaining existing sharrow markings on one of two driving lanes. The other options consider ways to add a two-way bicycle lane within the existing roadway width, which would involve removing a driving lane and adding some sort of buffer to offset the new bike lanes. Proposed buffers include painted markings, planters along certain sections of the road, and medians.
The city is considering the first two options as “Quick-Build” projects, meaning they could be implemented in 2025. Options 3-5 would require more time to secure funding as a Capital Improvement Project.
The survey will be open until Sunday, Sept. 24.
The Franklin Street Improvement Project is one of several bike lane projects the city is pursuing. Construction has started on bicycle and pedestrians improvements on Carnation Street in Southside. When finished, the project will connect six miles of bike lanes from Chippenham Hospital to Richmond Highway.
Want to explore the River City on two wheels? Check out the RVA Bikeways Map to identify the bike lanes, paved trails, and infrastructure near you.