Wilder says delay on roundabout puts funding at risk

In the latest issue of his Visions newsletter, Mayor Doug Wilder says the delay of the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue “could force the abandonment of the project.” The roundabout, one of two on the boards for North Richmond, was put on hold by 3rd District Councilman Chris Hilbert […]

October 21, 2008; 6:07 AM • by North Richmond News

In his missive, Wilder wrote:

One of Richmond’s most dangerous intersections has been held hostage to election-year politics and continued delays put the future of the entire project in jeopardy. The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Rd. has been put on hold for months since Councilman Hilbert introduced an ordinance in July to outlaw its construction.

To complicate matters further, any continued delays could result in a loss of funding and force the abandonment of the project. The project is funded through federal and state monies from safety grants…

…Initially, a few complaints were registered when the Councilman proposed the legislation because he claimed that not enough questions were answered. However, two of three neighborhood associations and another involved Councilman whose district borders the intersection have all supported the roundabout…

…Hilbert’s paper was introduced in July, continued in September, and continued again for another 30 days just last week at a Council committee meeting. There is only one more opportunity this year to pass this ordinance or strike the paper and allow construction to begin.

You can read all of Wilder’s comments here. Read all NRN articles on roundabouts in North Richmond here.