ConnectRVA 2045 is the Richmond Region’s long-range transportation plan; a draft of the final plan is now available to review.
Our region is facing a big question: more sprawl; or a more connected, equitable, and sustainable Greater Richmond?
We’ve alerted you to the region’s proposed long-range transportation plan, ConnectRVA 2045. The final draft is out for public comment and sadly as currently drafted allocates over two thirds (66%) of the region’s transportation funds to highways; it would spend billions of dollars for a mere 1% improvement in traffic congestion as compared to a no-build scenario!
While your comments resulted in the removal of the proposed widening of historic Route 5 in Henrico and Route 6 in Goochland (!), too many projects would fuel development in rural outer areas, creating far more traffic throughout the region. The highway heavy draft plan is even at odds with the vision in the agency’s own Youtube video.
We don’t want to repeat the sprawl and traffic mistakes of Northern Virginia, and as the plan’s own polls demonstrated, people in our region have expressed a clear public preference for investment in transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as a fix-it-first approach to spending on our roads.
Support a Smart Growth future by calling for these three changes:
Removal of highway and road expansions in outer areas that appear tied to opening rural land to development, and allocating more funds to fixing existing roads.
Allocating more funding for transit to support a frequent, accessible transit network in Richmond and the inner suburbs.
Shifting more funding to bicycle and pedestrian needs, including arterial road redesigns that will make them safer for people walking, biking, and using transit.
Take Action:
Commenting on the plan here or by emailing your comments to connectrva2045@planrva.org
Contacting your local elected officials by phone and email to let them know how you feel.
Attending an in-person meeting if you feel comfortable (follow link for schedule of events)
“Our region is facing a big question: more sprawl; or a more connected, equitable, and sustainable Greater Richmond?”