A proposal to reconfigure I-95/Broad Street Interchange that surfaced back in January has been approved by the state, and sent to City Council.

Ordinance 2016-276 (introduced to City Council on Monday) authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and VDOT for the project. The project is expected to cost $28,042,650, and is fully funded by VDOT.

The main focus of the project would be to streamline and make more safe the Broad Street/95 interchange, including a pedestrian overpass up the hill towards the hospital.

The proposal includes the closing of the off-ramp from 95/64 onto Oliver Hill Way, while adding an on-ramp at that location.

The plan also calls for terminating Oliver Hill Way just north of there as a dead-end street, and converting Oliver Hill, 17th Street, and 18th Street to two-way traffic. In our immediate area, the proposed alterations include 5 new roundabouts at Venable Street & Oliver Hill/18th/Mosby, Mosby & MLK Bridge, and 17th & Broad.

In addition, a bike facility will be provided at Oliver Hill Way and 17th Street to support the corridor’s connection to the Cannon Creek Greenway and communities north of downtown. The proposed reconfiguration would facilitate continuation of the existing buffered bike lanes into Shockoe Bottom.

There will be a public hearing on December 12, 2016 AT 6:00 PM in City Council Chamber.

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