Posted March 14, 2025

~ Projects provide community empowerment along with real-time feedback and evaluation before permanent installations~

RICHMOND, VA – In response to the community’s input via Richmond Connects, The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility (OETM), a division within the Department of Public Works (DPW) is taking action to address traffic safety concerns. The OETM team is actively working on several Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) projects across the city. These projects are designed to improve safety (pedestrian and public), promote transportation equity, create more accessible streets, and empower residents through community-driven art installations. Using LQC models allow the city time to address urgent issues with low-cost, temporary interventions prior to securing funding for permanent installations.

LQC Project #1:
Mosby Street and Mechanicsville Turnpike near Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School

• Along Mosby Street at the intersections of P, Q, and R streets
• Mechanicsville Turnpike at T Street and Brauers Lane

Improvements completed:

• Traffic calming curb extension and flexible posts installed
• Planter boxes installed
• Raised, modular, sustainably designed bus boarding platform installed to:
  
  • Increase bus reliability and reduce bus &vehicle conflicts
  • Provide a safer, more comfortable space for bus passengers & enhance the ride
  • Streamline boarding and improve accessibility

MLK Community Art Project | Street Closure:

All lanes in the 1000 Block of Mosby between P and R streets will be closed from March 22 through March 30 for the installation of the street mural in front of MLK Middle School. Note: water walls will be used to keep traffic out of mural painting area. Note: access to the school parking lot and the bus stop loop will be maintained.

Art Project(s): Fostering Community through Art: street mural art (designs and concepts inspired by MLK art students - curated by Sam Skrimpz)

• Photo opportunity: Tuesday, March 25 (weather permitting)
• Note: Additional art projects are planned along the corridor. They will feature art collaborations with various guest artists and students from Peter Paul Development Center and Franklin Military Academy.

LQC Project #2 - the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue near Linwood Holton Elementary School

Start date:

• Tentative/preliminary starting date in mid to late March or early April

Improvements include:

• Installing traffic calming curb and median extensions, flexible posts and working with the community and students to install street art/mural project near the school. 

Art Project: Design and concepts inspired by Linwood Holton students - curated by Sam Skrimpz

• TBA: the installation date will follow the completion of the planned improvements.

LQC Project #3 - Midlothian Turnpike near Richmond High School for the Arts

• Midlothian Turnpike from 37th Street to Richmond High School for the Arts
• 3700 to 4800 blocks of Midlothian Turnpike

Improvements include:

• Installing traffic calming, road diet and flexible posts and working with the community and students to install a street art/mural project near the school.
• Narrowing Midlothian Turnpike by one lane in one direction as the south/west-bound lanes of Midlothian Turnpike approach the school.
  
  • This improvement will create a safer crossing distance and reduce vehicle speeds so people can safely access walking to the school and to be able to access the upgraded outdoor amenities underway at the school site.

Start date:

• April or May

The LQC program is a key initiative in the city’s efforts to promote transportation equity, improve public safety, and foster community engagement in urban planning. As the first phase of the Richmond Connects implementation process, LQC aims to address pressing safety concerns and provide more immediate solutions while longer-term, permanent infrastructure changes are being developed. Although LQC projects are not intended to replace permanent infrastructure, they provide essential, timely improvements to make streets safer and more accessible in the interim.

These initial projects are just the beginning of a broader effort to enhance neighborhoods across Richmond. Moving forward, the LQC program will continue to focus on promoting safety, improving the transit rider experience, improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and creating opportunities for residents to actively shape the future of their communities.

For more information go to https://www.rva.gov/public-works/lqc

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on X (Twitter) @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1