Today's Note

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⏱ It’s time to rethink traffic

RICtoday_Intersections_ChurchHill_Traffic

Use caution near intersections during the retiming project. | Photo by RICtoday

Did you know? The city maintains 480 traffic signalized intersections — including 285 north of the James and 115 south of it. This year, the Dept. of Public Works is working on retiming all of them.

What is retiming?

The process involves fine-tuning how and when traffic lights change colors, thereby managing traffic flow. Corridors are evaluated and undergo changes to improve safety and minimize stops and starts.

DPW began the project on Friday, March 10. It’s scheduled for completion next spring.

What are the benefits?

According to DPW, the retiming project will benefit motorists, pedestrians, bikers, and anyone else using the road.

Drivers have the opportunity to save time and money. An Institute for Transportation Engineers study calculated that every dollar spent on optimization could mean a 15-20 gallon savings in fuel.

For non-drivers, retiming provides the opportunity for the city to work towards Vision Zero — the global strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

What will it cost?

Funding for the $1.765 million project was provided by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. DPW says it’s working with VDOT, the Richmond Regional Planning Organization, and the Federal Highway Administration to get the job done.

The city has announced a few other street improvement projects lately — including an $8 million grant from the Virginia Highway Safety Improvement Program and nearly $1 million from Safe Streets and Roads for All.

What should I do?

While the project gets going, use extra caution on the road. You may have to get used to new traffic patterns on familiar streets, so slow down and pay attention as you drive, bike, walk, run, or roll through Richmond.

Events

Wednesday, March 15

Local Author Talk: Richard Rose | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | RPL West End Branch, 5420 Patterson Ave., Richmond | Free | Local writer and composer Richard Rose will speak about his writing and read from his most recent works.

Thursday, March 16

Dancin’ Cat Line Dancing | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Hardywood West Creek, 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr., Richmond | Free | Put on your dancing shoes for this family-friendly event.

Friday, March 17

Speaker Series: “The Power of Portraiture” | Friday, Mar. 17 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $0-$8 | Get tickets or tune in to the free livestream of this arts lecture from Dr. Rhea Combs.

Saturday, March 18

“Shrek” | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 10 a.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $5 | If the week had you feeling swamped, decompress at this showing of the DreamWorks classic.
Wedding Expo and Boutique | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Virginia Cliffe Inn, 2900 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | Free | The annual boutique will have vendors, food trucks, tastings, and shopping.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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News Notes

Weather

55º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Development

The city has invited four development teams to submit formal proposals to redevelop City Center. The first phase of the project focuses on nine acres around the Coliseum, which will be demolished. The teams will have to submit proposals by Thursday, April 20 at 3 p.m. (Richmond BizSense)

Closing

Tyson Foods Inc. has announced that it will close its processing plant in Glen Allen, resulting in 692 eliminated jobs. The plant will officially close on Friday, May 12. It opened in 1952. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Outdoors

Maymont has a new visitor — an octopus is arriving at The Robins Nature Center. It will be on view beginning with the RVA Environmental Film Festival’s screening of “My Octopus Teacher” on Friday, March 17 (register here). The octopus will remain at Maymont for up to a year.

Transit

Tune in to a free transportation discussion tonight at 6 p.m. hosted by RVA Engage. Local experts from PlanRVA, GRTC, and Sports Backers will join a panel to talk about regional transportation efforts. Register to get the Zoom link.

Arts

Richmond Ballet’s New Works Festival will premiere four pieces by established and up-and-coming choreographers. Get tickets to the intimate shows, which will be held March 21-26 at the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre on East Canal Street.

Festival

Mark your calendar for Ashland Train Day, which returns to Downtown Ashland on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free street festival will feature touch-a-truck stations, model trains, vintage railroad equipment, live music, and a Kid Zone.

Kids

Say hello to the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck when it visits Short Pump Town Center this Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Look for the truck by the Crate & Barrel entrance to the mall. Collectibles and on-theme items will be for sale all day. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cause

Virginia Physicians for Women is partnering with Sylvia’s Sisters for a Period Supplies Drive benefiting students in need. The organizations are collecting new and open packs of tampons, pads, and panty-liners (must be individually wrapped). Donate at any VPFW location through Thursday, March 30 to help put an end to period poverty.*

Wellness

AG1 by Athletic Greens is so much more than “greens.” With one scoop, AG1 empowers the gut for whole-body health. (And, ICYMI, we can’t achieve a healthier everything else without a healthy gut.) Try it and receive a free one year supply of vitamin D and five free travel packs.*

DYK

Did you know our online store Six & Main features Sourhouse, a company that creates simple tools for sourdough bakers to care for their starters? The Goldie by Sourhouse + Cooling Puck is one of the most popular items. Let’s start baking.

Watch

It’s time for biscuits with the boss. Season three of “Ted Lasso” premieres today only on Apple TV+, which means AFC Richmond is hitting the pitch and Jason Sudeikis will surely have some feel-good life advice for us. Bonus: Get your first week free when you sign up to stream.

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — and its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards a more comfortable retirement. Try it out for yourself.*

Travel and Outdoors

Stress less at the airport

Cut down your travel time with TSA PreCheck. | Photo via Pexels

Planning a spring getaway? Don’t forget to add TSA PreCheck enrollment to your pre-vacay to-do list.

The government program provides an expedited security lane at 200+ airports for travelers that pass a security screening — which includes a short application and a 10-minute in-person enrollment appointment — and are given a Known Traveler Number. Bonus: The screening is good for five years and costs $78.

The main benefit of enrolling? Save time when traveling. Recent data found that 96% of TSA PreCheck passengers spent less than five minutes at airport security checkpoints.

To apply, find out if you are eligible, then fill out an application and schedule an appointment at a nearby enrollment center. Most people will know if their application has been approved within three to five days.

Psst — don’t forget to read our airport guide before heading to RIC, and grab these airport essentials: a memory foam travel pillow, this smart luggage carry-on set, and an AirFly wireless headphones transmitter.

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s Edition By:
Robin

From the Editor

The Main Street Station Forever Stamps are officially on the market. The station was one of five selected for the new Railroad Station series.

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