Public hearing set for proposed 2nd Street intersection improvements (Richlands)

BRISTOL—The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a public hearing to review a proposed project to realign a portion of 2nd Street Richlands.

The open house format information meeting will take place Monday, August 19 from 4 - 6 p.m. at Richlands Town Hall, located at 200 Washington Square in Richlands. The public meeting website includes information regarding the meeting and a place to provide comments: https://publicinput.com/j6551.

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection of 2nd Street and Front Street near Kent’s Ridge Road in Richlands. The project includes replacing the concrete island at the intersection of 2nd Street and Front Street with a smaller traffic island. The smaller island will provide space to shift Front Street and construct a concrete island near Kents Ridge Road to separate merging traffic from through traffic on Front Street. 

The new concrete island on Front Street will be from Kents Ridge Road to just beyond Rockbridge Avenue. A stop sign will be added to 2nd Street, creating a stop before turning left onto Front Street. Access to Kents Ridge Road will remain.

Comments regarding the project can be provided to VDOT until August 29, 2024, via the following methods:
-    Call VDOT Project Manager Jim Jones at 276-669-6151.
-    Email James4.Jones@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “2nd Street intersection realignment (Richlands)” in the subject line.
-    Comment sheets will be available at the in-person public meeting or can be mailed/emailed.
-    Traditional mail to VDOT Project Manager Jim Jones, 2111 Bonham Road, Bristol, Virginia 24201.

If you need further special assistance, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623), or device for hearing impaired (TTY) at 711.