The future of the Mayo Bridge is coming into focus. Here’s the latest developments:
A series of renderings and graphics recently released by the city show the latest redesign with an emphasis on walkability, per Richmond Biz Sense. The plan? To turn the current four lanes of car traffic into two lanes (one in each direction) and include a bike lane on either side and pedestrian sidewalks outside those lanes.
Officials say the decision to increase walkability came after speaking to members of the public and local stakeholders before this latest iteration, including the Manchester Alliance and Shockoe Partnership.
While leaders initially wanted only to replace the bridge’s surface, the Virginia Department of Transportation later discovered the need to replace the structure’s piers too. This increased the estimated cost from ~$90 million to ~$195 million.
Time is running out to make a final decision. VDOT believes the current 112-year-old bridge has roughly a decade before structural failure becomes a significant risk by 2035.
What do you think of this latest idea for the bridge? Let us know.
