City Council approves road connecting to downtown riverfront - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

There should soon be an easier way to get to the river downtown. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, City Council approved a new road connecting Tredegar Street to South 2nd Street to ease congestion.

Dominion Power is paying for half of the road cost. Newmarket Corporation is also contributing a four acre plot of land, nearby.

Bob Pantle and his wife love to visit the historic landmarks along Tredegar Street and surrounding Brown's Island, but they don't always enjoy the congestion getting here.

That's why the Department of Economic Development proposed the new two-lane connector that will stretch about two city blocks from Tredegar Street west of the Civil War Center, up gamble's hill to Second Street near the Lee Bridge.

"I usually come down 5th Street," said Pantle. "Coming off of that, you have a lot of traffic lights and congestion and what not. This way, it'll make it a lot easier to get in here."

The new road will have a sidewalk on one side, no bike lane, and an incline similar to Byrd Street.

"That's great when you're going down," said Arthur Howle. "Coming back is a problem. I've ridden my bike here. It's a struggle getting up the hill but not that much of one."

The $3.5 million real-estate property would ensure the Folk Festival and other large events can continue along the riverfront.

"The economic impact of Venture Richmond's and many events that occur down there are a major investment as well," said Project Development Manager, Jeannie Welliver.

Dominion Power will cover the up front cost of the road. The city will pay back 50% which is roughly $900,000 budgeted in the city's Capital Improvements Fund.

The city will pay for a $385,000 culvert going over part of the empty canal on the proposed property. The culvert will look similar to the bridge connecting Brown's Island to Tredegar Street.

"If approved, the city says plans for construction will start soon but they will not impact the popular Folk Festival this fall.

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