The City of Richmond is expanding its Safety Camera Program to another high-risk intersection as part of its ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, deter dangerous driving behaviors and reduce serious and fatal crashes.

A 30-day warning period begins August 17, 2026, at Midlothian Turnpike and German School Road. During the warning period, motorists who run a red light at the intersection will receive a warning notice rather than a citation.

Following the warning period, registered vehicle owners who receive a red-light violation captured by the safety camera will be issued a $50 citation, in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

The addition of Midlothian Turnpike and German School Road brings the program to nine intersections with safety cameras installed and operational or entering the warning period:

• Midlothian Turnpike & German School Road

• 25th Street & Main Street

• Belvidere Street & Cary Street

• Chamberlayne Avenue & Brookland Park Boulevard

• Chamberlayne Avenue & Laburnum Avenue

• Hull Street & Warwick Road

• Hull Street & Cowardin Avenue

• Commerce Road & Maury Street

• Hull Street Road & East Belt Boulevard

One additional intersections included in the pilot program are also expected to become operational soon:

• Mechanicsville Turnpike & Fairfield Way

“Every red-light violation is a preventable risk to everyone using our streets,” said Andy Boenau, Director of the Richmond Department of Transportation. “Safety cameras are one of the tools we can use to encourage safer driving behavior and support our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in Richmond.”

Drivers are encouraged to:

• Slow down as traffic signals turn yellow. Yellow means prepare to stop — not speed up.

• Stop fully at red lights. Entering an intersection after the light has turned red is a violation.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.

• Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.

Red-light running contributes to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries across the country each year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 1,000 people are killed and more than 100,000 are injured annually in crashes involving drivers who run red lights.

For more information about Richmond’s Safety Camera Program, visit rva.gov/police/safety-camera-program.

For more information about Richmond’s Vision Zero efforts, visit rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero

• WHO: 
  
  • The Department of Public Works
  • The Clean City Commission, and 
  • The Department of Public Utilities
• WHAT: 
  
  • Recycling and Disposal Event - More than Electronics! 
  • This free recycling event is available to city residents only – proof of residency is required - No business or commercial items will be accepted
• WHEN:
  
  • Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where:
  
  • 1710 Robin Hood Road 
• Why: 
  
  • To keep recyclable and hazardous materials out of landfills, city waterways, streams and rivers.
  • To provide residents with a convenient way to reduce waste.
  • To promote environmental stewardship and support the city’s sustainability goals. 

~ Items for Collection ~

Paper Document Shredding

• Up to five (5) boxes of documents
  
  • Be sure to remove all binders, staples, and clips

Electronics (various fees apply)

• Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
  
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Other used electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification, use the link below)
• Get the list of fees and the full list of electronics to recycle
  • Go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission 

Household Hazardous Waste Items (HHW)

• Oil-based Paint
• Bug spray, pesticides, rodent poison, and herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon etc.)
• Latex and water-based paints will not be collected. These items can be left in open paint cans until they have dried out and then put in with regular curbside trash pick-up. 

Information on recycling or the event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email us at [email protected]

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or visit the Clean City Commission’s Instagram page @rvacleancitycommission

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The Richmond Planning Commission voted Tuesday evening to approve the Shockoe Valley Streets Improvement Project, marking a significant milestone in the City's ongoing effort to improve transportation safety, accessibility, and connectivity in one of Richmond's most historic neighborhoods.

The project includes improvements to streets, sidewalks, intersections, and public spaces to better accommodate people walking, biking, using transit, and driving. The design has been shaped by technical analysis and community engagement since 2018 and has been developed with deep appreciation for and consideration of preserving and interpreting the area's significant cultural and historical resources.

"This approval marks another step forward in a long-term effort to improve mobility and safety while respecting the history and character of Shockoe Valley," said Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works. "We appreciate the Planning Commission's consideration and the continued input from community members and stakeholders who have helped inform the project."

"This is a great example of a plan improving through multiple rounds of public input. I appreciate everyone who took part so thoughtfully in the process, and I look forward to the next steps,” said Mayor Danny Avula. 

With Planning Commission approval, including all eight conditions recommended by the Urban Design Committee, the project will continue through the City's established review and implementation process. As design advances, the City will continue to engage residents, businesses, and community stakeholders and provide updates on future project milestones. 

The Richmond Department of Transportation (RDOT) will host a community conversation with historian, University of Virginia professor, and author Peter Norton on Thursday, July 9 exploring how the history of American streets can inform the future of transportation in Richmond.

Norton, author of Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City and Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving, will explore how streets once served as shared public spaces that connected communities through walking, streetcars, and other forms of mobility before the rise of automobile-focused transportation systems.

His presentation will examine the transformation of American cities, including Richmond, as streets shifted from community spaces to primarily serving motor vehicle movement. The discussion will highlight lessons from the past and how they can help guide today's efforts to create safer, more accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities. 

“As Richmond continues working toward a transportation system that serves everyone, understanding the history of our streets helps us better understand the choices we make today,” said Andy Boenau, Director of RDOT. “This conversation gives residents an opportunity to learn from the past, engage with transportation experts, and discuss how we can build a safer, more connected future for Richmond."

The event will include a presentation from Norton followed by a community question-and-answer session focused on the connection between Richmond’s transportation history and ongoing safety initiatives, including the development of the City’s first ever Pedestrian Safety Master Plan and Richmond’s Vision Zero commitment. 

“Transportation is about more than how we move through the city, it is about how we access opportunities, connect with our neighbors, and experience our communities,” said Boenau. “These conversations help bring residents into the process of shaping streets that work better for everyone.” 

Event Details

What: Community Conversation with Peter Norton

When: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Where: James Branch Cabell Library 901 Park Avenue Richmond, VA 23284

The event is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and participate in the conversation about Richmond’s transportation future.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-norton-lecture-tickets-1992020300342

About the Richmond Department of Transportation

The Richmond Department of Transportation works to create a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system that supports the movement of people and goods throughout the City of Richmond. Through investments in infrastructure, planning, and community engagement, RDOT is working toward a transportation network that serves residents of all ages and abilities.