Mind the Dust

By Megan Schmidt

As Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University expand and grow, so too do the construction projects and traffic detours. A few to be aware of through June are:

• Valves will be replaced between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., Saturday, May 18, resulting in a water shutdown for blocks 700 through 1100 of West Broad Street, including VCU facilities, apartments, businesses and restaurants along those blocks. Also included are 601 W. Broad St., the Prestwould Condominiums at 614 W. Franklin St., 700-701 W. Grace St. and the apartments at 201 N. Pine St. The impacted locations are being notified this week by doorhangers. Water shutdowns could last from two to eight hours on Saturday.
  
  
• As of Monday, May 13, the parking and southbound lanes of Laurel Street between Franklin and Cathedral streets are closed for a renovation project at Johnson Hall.  The parking lane on Franklin Street in front of Johnson is also closed.  The northbound lane (travelling towards Broad Street) remains open.  This closure will last approximately a month.

•  Richmond is working to replace the water main under West Grace Street. The project began at the east end barricade for the West Grace Street Student Housing North project and will end at Belvidere Street.  The traffic pattern will mimic the 800 block with the westbound lanes blocked and two-way traffic using the remaining travel and parking lanes.  The city expects to complete between 100 and 200 feet per day and will use barrels to mark the lanes as work progresses down the street.  Traffic will be slow and congested, so, if possible, use another route to get around campus.
  
  
• Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures on westbound West Broad Street from Belvidere to Harrison through Saturday, May 18, while the Department of Public Utilities excavates in preparation to replace water main valves at Gilmer at Broad and Pine at Broad.
  
  
• In addition, the pedestrian walkway along Shafer Street from the Barnes and Noble Bookstore to Grace Street will be closed until June 5.  Pedestrians should cross Grace at Laurel Street or Harrison Street or though the breezeway between the bookstore and the VCU Welcome Center.
  
  
• Expect intermittent short delays in the 800 block of Grace Street at the West Grace Street Housing North project when materials are lifted to the upper floors.
  
  
• Laurel Street will be closed on Monday, May 20 between Franklin Street and the Chipolte/Panera alley while the city of Richmond replaces the water line in the intersection of Grace and Laurel Streets.  Grace Street will be closed from Pine to Laurel.  Subscribers to the Laurel Street Deck should use Harrison or Shafer Street to turn on Grace and come east to the deck.  Exiting the deck, turn left and go back up Grace to Harrison.  There could also be temporary traffic stoppages on Grace Street in from the the West Grace Housing North project, but flagmen will be on site to assist drivers in getting to the deck. This closure is expected to last one day.
  
  
• Eleventh Street between Broad and Marshall streets will close from June 17 to Aug. 30 to allow for construction for the new Children’s Pavilion at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond on Virginia Commonwealth University’s MCV Campus. The alternate route for access to the VCU Medical Center from Broad Street is Ninth Street to Marshall Street. Read more: http://news.vcu.edu/news/Road_Closure_Due_to_Construction_for_Childrens_Hospital_of_Richmond.

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