Posted August 27, 2025

~ A behind the scenes look at city construction projects happening near your neighborhood ~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting a first-of-its-kind, public-facing infrastructure showcase to provide residents with an insider’s look at construction projects at RVA Builds: The Infrastructure Information Initiative. This open house event will bring departments across the city together giving residents an opportunity to engage with multiple departments in one location. The event will be held Tuesday, September 23 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street.

“This is a chance for the community to speak directly with the teams who design, build, and improve our city,” said Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works. “It’s about transparency and connection. We want residents to understand how decisions are made, how projects are prioritized, and how they can get involved.”

What to expect:

• Information tables
  
  • Talk with engineers, architects, planners, and designers behind major capital improvement projects (CIP) and Lighter Quicker Cheaper Projects
  • Departments include:
  • Public Works and the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, Public Utilities, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Planning and Development Review, Economic Development Authority, General Services, and other partner agencies
• Learn about current and upcoming roadway improvements, bridge, park, transportation, special utility projects and other construction
  
  • See maps, rendering, and visuals of projects across the city
  • Special presentations with project overviews
• Question and Answer Session
• Dinner – RSVP needed for the food count
  
  • Please register by September 22 at rva.gov/public-works/rvabuilds

For more information on DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @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  issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program.. 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

Posted August 19, 2025

~ Starting August 26, the signal will temporarily flash red and yellow~

RICHMOND, Va. – Part of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety and accessibility for all users, the Department of Public Works (DPW) installed a new traffic signal at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Pepper Avenue. It will be energized August 26 and temporarily placed in flash mode. During this transitional phase:

• Patterson Avenue will display a flashing yellow light, indicating that drivers should proceed with caution

• Pepper Avenue will display flashing red lights, requiring drivers to stop and yield before proceeding

The temporary flashing mode gives motorists an opportunity to adjust to the new signal ahead of it being set to function as a fully signalized intersection on September 2.

Safety Reminders:

• Be alert while traveling through this new traffic pattern

• Drive with extra caution as the community adjusts to the new intersection

• Always watch for pedestrians and cyclists

Work on this project began in January 2025 and includes a range of safety and accessibility upgrades: 

• Traffic signal mast arm poles with traffic signal heads and high visibility backplates
• Countdown pedestrian signals with push buttons
• ADA compliant accessible ramps with new sidewalk connections
• High visibility crosswalk markings to improve pedestrian safety

For more information on DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @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  issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station,  the RVA Bike Share program.. 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

Posted 8-13-25

WHO:   The Department of Public Works, The Clean City Commission, and The Department of Public Utilities

WHAT:  Richmond E-Cycle Day – More than Electronics! 

 For Richmond Residents, no business or commercial items accepted

WHEN:  Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1710 Robin Hood Road (23220) northeast corner of Robin Hood Road and Arthur Ashe Boulevard

BACKGROUND:  The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day event offers City residents an efficient option to recycle paper, household hazardous waste items and electronics to help keep hazardous waste materials out of city waterways, streams and rivers. 

This event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required. 

Please note, this is a drive-thru event. Volunteers will remove items from the cars.

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. 

For more information on recycling or the event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

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 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  issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station,  the RVA Bike Share program.. 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

Posted July 29, 2025

RICHMOND, Va.  – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is set to launch a Centralized Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) Project this fall. This project builds upon more than a decade of groundwork by the Department, which has successfully funded the connection all 490 traffic signalized intersections into a centralized transportation management system. With the deployment of Econolite Centracs Priority software, Richmond will be equipped with one of the most advanced, fully integrated traffic signal systems in the nation. As part of this system, the city’s traffic signals will be directly linked to the GRTC Operations Center and the City’s Emergency 911 Call Center, ensuring real-time responsiveness for buses and emergency vehicles. Initially, up to 150 intersections will be equipped with this technology. This technology advancement further elevates Richmond’s standing and recent ranking by ConsumerAffairs, as the 4th best city in the nation for public transportation.

This project introduces new capabilities to the city’s transit and emergency response network with three core goals:

1. Boost Transit Reliability:
   
   • By giving priority to GRTC buses at intersections, the system will improve efficiency across Richmond’s fare-free bus network. This system supports ridership growth, already up 17% since 2018, setting a national example.
2. Speed Emergency Response:
   
   • Fire trucks will benefit from real-time signal preemption, helping crews reach emergencies faster and enhancing public safety across Richmond.
3. Safe Access for All:
   
   • Coordinated signals will continue to reduce delays for people walking, rolling, biking, and driving, fostering a safer, more predictable transportation environment, and supporting a growing city population.

Project Timeline (the Department will roll out the project in phases):

• Fall 2025: System design and integration begins
• Spring 2027: Testing and full deployment across all signalized intersections

By deploying Econolite Centracs Priority, this initiative aims to keep buses on schedule and help fire trucks to reach emergencies faster – all while improving transportation movement for people walking, biking, and driving across the city’s 490 signalized intersections.

Imagine a Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) bus, running just a few minutes behind schedule, approaching an intersection. Instead of idling at a red light, the signal extends its green, allowing the bus to glide through and stay on track.

The Greater Richmond Transit Company, which has seen ridership soar with its fare-free Pulse bus rapid transit line, views this as a vital enhancement. “Reliable transit is the backbone of an equitable city,” said Sheryl Adams, CEO of GRTC. “The Centracs Priority system ensures our buses keep to their schedules, connecting Richmonders to jobs, healthcare, and opportunities without delay. It’s a commitment to our riders and our community.”

Dironna Moore Clarke, Public Works Deputy Director and Administrator of the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, said, “this project reflects Richmond’s commitment to putting people first – by making transit faster, and more reliable. Giving priority to transit and emergency vehicles improves access to services and reinforces our public safety mission, while also advancing our sustainability goals. By reducing transit idling, supporting zero-fare, short-wait transit and cutting response times, we’re building a smarter, greener, and more efficient transportation system for all.”

For the Richmond Fire Department, the stakes are even higher. “Every second counts when lives are on the line,” said Interim Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal. “This technology clears the way for our crews, ensuring we can reach emergencies faster and save more lives. It’s a lifeline for our city.”

With the newly improved signal system, traffic signals will sense a fire truck’s approach, turning red lights green to clear a path, shaving precious seconds off response times.

“This project is a game-changer for Richmond’s transportation system,” said Michael B. Sawyer, City Transportation Engineer. “By integrating cutting-edge technology, we’re not just improving transportation safety—we’re building a safer, more equitable city where transit is more reliable, and first responders can act swiftly.”

For more information on the Department of Public Works, go to rva.gov/public-works or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on X @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. 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

Posted July 25, 2025

DMV and City of Richmond Debut 54-Foot Ladder at The Diamond to Demonstrate Powerful Effects of Speed in Crashes 

RICHMOND, Va. (July 25, 2025) – Did you know that pushing someone from the top of a 54-foot ladder has the same impact as someone being hit by a car traveling 40 mph? This powerful comparison is now at the center of a new public awareness display from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the City of Richmond — created to highlight the life-threatening consequences of speeding.

Today, during a press conference at The Diamond, a Richmond landmark, officials from the Commonwealth and the City unveiled a bright yellow, 54-foot ladder that now towers beside the stadium as the centerpiece of the campaign. A dramatic video features a professional climber scaling the ladder, offering a jolting perspective: the higher the fall, the harder the hit. At just 40 mph, a pedestrian struck by a car experiences the same force as falling from that towering height which is roughly five stories.

“Speeding was a factor in more than 400 traffic deaths in Virginia last year,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III. “Every driver has a responsibility to understand the real impact of their decisions behind the wheel. This campaign puts the stark reality of those consequences front and center, urging everyone to slow down, follow the speed limit, and save lives.”

As the ladder gets higher, markers show increasing speeds in miles per hour. Each one of the markers shows the relationship between falling from that height and being hit by a car moving 10, 20 or 30 miles per hour.

“This campaign makes the invisible visible,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We’re taking the science of impact and turning it into something drivers can feel in their gut — because that’s how we change behavior.”

Last year alone, 410 people lost their lives in speed-related crashes across Virginia — including 10 in the City of Richmond. In response, Richmond has taken bold, proactive steps to make its streets safer by becoming a Vision Zero city, committed to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Highlights of the city’s efforts include expanding speed enforcement, launching a safety camera program with 13 school zone cameras, constructing 200 speed tables citywide in the past year, and implementing a range of traffic calming measures to slow drivers down and protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

“In Richmond, we’re committed to making our streets safer for everyone — whether you’re behind the wheel, on a bike or on foot,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This ladder makes the danger of speeding impossible to ignore. If this display gets even one person to slow down and save a life, it’s worth every foot, because a thriving city starts with safe streets.”

This ladder was created through a local Richmond collaboration — conceptualized by Two Tango Collaborative, designed by Barker Designs, and built by BrandSafway Scaffolding Systems, with video production provided by Advanced Visual Production.

This week's event is part of a coordinated effort across jurisdictions in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 3 — including Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia and Kentucky — to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of speeding.

Want to see the ladder up close? Stop by The Diamond and catch a Richmond Flying Squirrels game as they take on the Portland Sea Dogs:

• Friday, July 25 at 6:35 p.m.
• Saturday, July 26 at 6:05 p.m.
• Sunday, July 27 at 5:05 p.m.

The message is simple: Speed Has an Impact.

To view the climb on the ladder, click here.

To view video of today's event, click here. It includes a soundbite from Virginia DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey.

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