Crews Mark City's First Buffered Bike Lanes on Rose Hill Drive

Charlottesville:

“Extra space will separate drivers from bicyclists on one stretch of street in Charlottesville. City crews are marking out the new buffered bike lanes on Rose Hill Drive. They'll be the first in Charlottesville. Striped pavement markings will create a buffer between the car traffic and bike lanes between Preston and Madison avenues. The city hopes cyclists will feel safer with that extra room.

‘The design for bike lanes has really evolved, and we're really excited we're able to implement something like this in our city. What it is basically is a three-foot buffer that provides extra breathing room between cars and bikes on the road,’ said Amanda Poncy, Charlottesville bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

The city reminds drivers that the same rules of the road apply in the buffered zones - that includes always looking for and yielding to cyclists. Work will continue on Rose Hill through the week.”

~ Reports nbc29

Click here for the link

Heated Words Abound Following Bike Lane Vote

City of Alexandria:

“City councilors ended months of debate when they unanimously approved adding bike lanes to a section of King Street earlier this month, but at least one resident remains up in arms. F.H. Buckley, a professor at George Mason University, lambasted the controversial decision in the American Spectator last week. One of several nearby homeowners opposed to the project from its inception, Buckley blasted Alexandria’s top elected officials as well as cyclists for their behavior during the contentious deliberations…

The project, discussed at multiple public hearings before city councilors gave it the green light earlier this month, will see bike lanes installed from Janneys Lane to West Cedar Street. Pedestrian safety improvements also are slated for the short section of road. To make room for the lanes, 27 on-street parking spots will be removed. The loss of parking sparked the initial protest to the plan, though safety concerns took center stage as the project wound its way through City Hall.

The contentious debate eventually garnered national media attention. Buckley was among those stoking the fire last year, penning a letter to the editor published in the Wall Street Journal warning of impending ‘bike wars’ in communities across the country.”

~ Writes Derrick Perkins of the Alexandria Times

Click here to learn more

Parkway project attracts supporters

Town of Front Royal:

“The long-awaited Leach Run Parkway project likely could affect many area residents and property owners when complete. More than two dozen people showed up to a public information meeting for the project on Wednesday at the Warren County Community Center. Representatives with the project engineer, Pennoni Associates, as well as officials from Front Royal, Warren County and Economic Development Authority provided information and answered questions.

Plans call for the four-lane, divided parkway to connect Happy Creek Road to John Marshall Highway (Va. 55). The design includes sidewalks and bicycle paths as well as a median and trees. The project does not include a section to the north of Happy Creek Road and extending to the Shenandoah Shores area as shown in earlier designs. The Virginia Department of Transportation covers half of the $12 million cost. The county covers 66 percent and the town 34 percent of the remaining cost.

Most of the those attending spoke favorably about the project, saying the town and county have needed the north-south bypass for a long time. Michael Henderson lives on John Marshall Highway at the corner of the proposed intersection with Leach Run Parkway. Henderson said he bought the property about 12 years ago. The Virginia Department of Transportation must acquire his property to make way for the road, a retention pond and to create the sight distance needed for the intersection.”

~Writes Alex Bridges of the NV Daily

Click here to learn more

King Street bike lanes brake for an appeal

City of Alexandria

“The battle over installing less than a mile of bike lanes on Alexandria’s King Street will go into spring, after city officials announced Wednesday that they will allow public hearings on the controversy in February and March.

Bicyclists and residents have squared off over the plan to narrow the busy traffic lanes on a residential portion of King Street in order to accommodate bike lanes. The proposal has been in the works since last summer, but residents objected to losing parking spots in front of their houses while bicyclists said the existing road is dangerous to use.

Last month, Alexandria’s transportation director Rich Baier announced that a compromise plan would go forward. That plan calls for full bike lanes part of the way, and street markings that indicate bikes, cars, buses and trucks will share existing traffic lanes the rest of the way.”

~Writes the Patricia Sullivan of the Washington Post

Click here to learn more

City Council Approves Resolution to Start Condemnation Proceedings

City of Harrisonburg

“The City Council approved a resolution to allow the city to use condemnation proceedings, if a settlement is not reached with property owners on Reservoir Street. According to the City Attorney Chris Brown, at least 20 homeowners have not settled with the city…

The land would allow the city to continue the Reservoir Street Improvement Project, which extends from University Boulevard to the East City limits. The project would expand Reservoir Street, from two to four lanes. It would also add a bike lane and a sidewalk… The city will continue its efforts to settle with the remaining land owners. Brown said before starting any proceedings, landowners will be notified about a public hearing in February where they will be allowed to speak about their concerns.

If they can't reach a settlement with the city after that, the city will initiate condemnation proceedings, which are handled in court.”
~Reports Estephany Escobar WHSV – ABC3

Click here to learn more