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The stretch on E. Broad between 32nd and 36th is growing increasingly dangerous

Gill F. writes:

Neighbors around Broad between 36th and 32nd have been trying to get Richmond 311 and our City Council to put in some traffic and speed control measures. We’ve yet to see much progress.

The stretch on E. Broad between 36th and 32nd is increasingly dangerous to scores of children, pedestrians, and bikers attempting to cross into Chimborazo Park.

There are no crosswalks after 32nd St., which leaves walkers and riders vulnerable, especially from 33rd-36th Streets and around the blind curve into Government Road.

As you probably know, vehicles whip around Government Rd. and onto E. Broad St. with such speed and frequency, that Richmond Police regularly post a cruiser at that Chimborazo Park entrance as a deterrent. The stop sign at that corner was knocked over recently and has yet to be repaired.

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We have discussed a few times over the years about the lack of complete streets in the East End area. Several blocks don’t have sidewalks. And while there’s been progress, it’s slow. Chimborazo Park is a well attended area and ultimately, more than a crosswalk would be ideal. Crosswalk markings alone are unlikely to benefit pedestrian safety since they should be used in conjunction with other measures. Ultimately, this is an issue for the neighborhood as the East End becomes more popular (and populated).

15 comments

Heather O'Sullivan 10/05/2018 at 8:07 AM

LOL! Remember when there were no stop signs on almost every block? Was that 2004? We asked for a speed bump or two to slow down the 18 wheelers and large trucks – city denied it and instead provided continuous stops along church hills piece of broad. A few more can’t hurt????

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Jason Paul Smith 10/05/2018 at 8:13 AM

People blow through that stop sign all the time, just like they do at 29th & Franklin, despite all the pedestrian activity at the two adjacent parks, including visitors from outside the local area. These two areas need better enforcement, and signage. Trimming the trees hanging over the signs, and posting a couple more would help tremendously.

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Chris Harnish 10/05/2018 at 8:39 AM

Yeah, that stop by buzzys is at best a slow down.

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Michael Nesossis 10/05/2018 at 9:12 AM

Another bad one is at 24th and Broad.

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Grace 10/05/2018 at 8:19 AM

I’ve almost gotten hit turning onto broad from 33rd and Chimborazo blvd a couple times. You can’t see if anyone is coming on broad without pulling out a little because the parked cars obstruct the view. I hate to say it but I wish there were more stop signs on that stretch of broad

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crd 10/05/2018 at 8:24 AM

Stop sign on WHICH corner was knocked over? Obviously I’ve missed that one. Also, where are we lacking sidewalks?

I totally agree that crosswalks would be ignored without some other measures. Same as down on Main Street, where cars just ignore them.

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Chris Harnish 10/05/2018 at 8:38 AM

Government hill in general is terrible. I put together a crew to cut back the bushes two years ago bc it’s part of the bike route but the city opted to post a “single lane ahead” sign as a solution. Cars also greatly exceed the speed limit.

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Chris Harnish 10/05/2018 at 8:41 AM

Ideally, traffic calming is often better than just more stops. Speed tables with raised cross walks afford better protection for pedestrians bc they force drivers to slow. They also improve visibility. But I would expect them city to add those. Ultimately, we need traffic enforcement, which is non existent.

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Diana Palese 10/05/2018 at 10:43 AM

It is really bad in front of chimborazo elm where the roundabouts are. No one driving down marshall ever bothers to yeild

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Michael Brap 10/05/2018 at 11:09 AM

Or people could just look both ways before crossing the street

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31st St. Resident 10/05/2018 at 2:41 PM

The roundabout at 31st & Marshal has just been re-planted & had yet another reflective sign put up. I hope that they last longer than the previous ones as people seem to drive right over the roundabout with alarming frequency. The “stop signs” at 31st & Broad are apparently only a suggestion-from all four directions but it seems that westbound traffic is the worst.

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The STOP sign is a recommendation 10/05/2018 at 5:39 PM

The “single lane ahead” sign has been there since before 2007 as can be seen on Google StreetView. If memory serves, it used to be two lanes at the bottom heading up the hill, and then dropped to a single lane.

As for the many stops on Broad, those were ordered by city council, just like many in the Fan. And if people can’t bother with stop signs and can’t manage to drive around a circle (rather than through it), will crosswalks actually have an effect? My guess is RPD has bigger concerns on the Hill.

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Juliellen 10/05/2018 at 6:56 PM

Sidewalks needed on Government Road from Stony Run (actually from Rawlings on that side) all the way to Chimborazo Park.

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Michael McPeak 10/06/2018 at 10:00 AM

Can anyone tell me why there is no stop sign on E Grace at N 27th? All other intersections up to N 25th have them.

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Brian 10/06/2018 at 5:57 PM

Y’all think it’s bad now? Just wait for Glenwood to be built. And if 207 apartments actually do go up in that other undeveloped area, oh man, that’s some crazy traffic up there.

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