Richmond's new Mayo Bridge will likely have bike lanes and wider sidewalks
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The Mayo Bridge in 2013. Photo: Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The most important factors VDOT should consider in its Mayo Bridge replacement project are preserving recreation access on or near the bridge, plus better cyclist and pedestrian safety.
- That's according to the results of its public survey, out last week.
Why it matters: Richmond's oldest bridge is one of around 3.5% in Virginia in poor condition and needing replacement.
The big picture: The 111-year-old bridge is a critical connector between Manchester and Shockoe Bottom, allowing locals easier access to the neighborhoods, businesses, riverfront and recreation trails on either side of the James.
- The bridge is also one of the city's most popular fishing spots due to the diverse fish species drawn to the fall line that runs below it.
- Around 22,000 cars and 650 pedestrians or cyclists cross the bridge per day, VDOT tells Axios, and more than half of survey respondents said better cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure should be VDOT's No. 1 priority for the replacement bridge.
Zoom in: Many of the 1,300 respondents to VDOT's survey would like to see fewer cars on the bridge, possibly half the number of traffic lanes, and suggested closing the entire bridge to cars.
- 34% of survey takers said cyclist safety was their biggest concern about the current bridge
- 33% said pedestrian safety
- 24% were most worried about the structural soundness
Yes, but: Regular bridge users who travel by car cited pedestrian safety and structural soundness as their biggest issue with the current bridge.
- Regular bridge crossers who said they bike or walk overwhelmingly listed cyclist safety as the top concern.
The latest: VDOT unveiled three proposals for the new bridge design, all of which are wider and allow for varying space for on-bridge recreation, sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic.
- The replacement will likely follow a slightly different path than the current bridge, which will allow more recreation space on the western side of the under-development park on the now city-owned Mayo Island.
What's next: The public can weigh in on the plans online or when VDOT presents the findings on Sept. 17 (5-7pm) at the Plan RVA office in Manchester.