Pedestrian and cycling safety project for two intersections on Forest Hill Avenue
From this week’s email from Sarah Abubaker (4th District City Council):
I am excited to share the details of the Forest Hill Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, which will go a long way toward making this busy corridor safer.
Construction for the project is anticipated to begin in Fall 2025 and conclude in Summer 2026. The project’s purpose is to increase pedestrian safety by narrowing crossing distances of pedestrian crosswalks at 41st and 43rd Streets and installing protected bike lanes at two of the intersections. The relocation of existing pedestrian beacons along with the narrowing of travel lanes will be the primary focus of the project.
Given that we are experiencing high vehicular speed and unsafe conditions for pedestrians now, I have asked City Administration to install the speed tables that are planned for this project as soon as possible, and they have confirmed that the speed tables can likely be installed sooner.
This project will be a hot topic for the next many months, and I will continue to keep you updated, including sharing the design plans once they are available.
From a presentation by DPW Director Bobby Vincent (PDF) at this past Tuesday’s Forest Hill Neighborhood Association meeting <https://southrichmondnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-DPW-Departmental-Briefing-4th-District-Winter-1.pdf>:
Forest Hill Traffic Paving Improvements
Paving of Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills Blvd to Roanoke Street. Inclusive of narrowing the existing travel lanes and installing buffered bike lanes and improved crosswalks. $500k estimated timeframe Fall 2025.
Forest Hill Traffic Pedestrian Safety Improvements
An unfunded $1.6M project reduces crossing distances along this urban arterial for people that walk and role utilizing traffic calming measures on Forest Hill Avenue at Taylor Avenue, 48th Street, and Westover Hills Boulevard. The intersection treatments will resolve vehicle conflicts and minimize exposure to people that walk . This project is supported by the James River Park System Master Plan which recognizes the importance of providing safe bicycle and pedestrian access along, and across Forest Hill Avenue as the park system is proximate to this arterial, and Forest Hill Park fronts this roadway. The project will also be complemented by the extension of the bike lanes to the west as part of upcoming maintenance projects in the coming years, as well as construction of the Westover Hills Blvd separated bike lanes just to the west which have been designed and is anticipated to go to construction within a year. Currently pursuing the State for funding.