Richmond plans safety upgrades at 700 intersections, starting this fall

Richmond plans to begin quick-build safety work at roughly 350 intersections this fall as part of a two-phase Vision Zero program covering more than 700 locations across the city.

The Richmond Department of Transportation announced the broader rollout on August 11, 2026. The work targets intersections on the city’s High Injury Network, where officials say lower-cost changes can be installed more quickly than major street reconstruction.

What residents may see

Planned treatments include high-visibility crosswalks, refreshed pavement markings, stop-control improvements and centerline hardening or related features intended to slow and tighten vehicle turns.

The city has not said every intersection will receive the same treatment. Construction also will not begin everywhere at once. Axios Richmond reported that work is expected to be staggered based on contractor availability and coordination with other nearby projects.

Residents, businesses, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists may therefore see localized lane, sidewalk or business and driveway-access disruptions as individual projects move forward.

Where the current map shows work

The city’s public Vision Zero map currently shows roughly 244 locations, but that is not the complete list for the more than 700-intersection program. Another 106 locations are expected to be added by this winter, according to Axios Richmond.

Current mapped concentrations include:

• Forest Hill Avenue, with roughly 30 locations
• West Broad Street, with 23
• Brookland Park Boulevard and Parkway, with 19
• Hull Street, with 18
• Chamberlayne Avenue, with 17
• Arthur Ashe Boulevard, with 16

Residents can use the public map to check whether a nearby intersection is currently listed, while keeping in mind that the map is expected to expand.

Second phase planned for 2027

The city expects to address approximately 350 additional intersections in a second phase, with design work or later construction planned for fall 2027. Those locations are expected to be released for public feedback in summer 2027.

Richmond has not published a total cost for the full program or a complete construction calendar. Individual schedules, treatment selections and start dates remain subject to further city coordination.

Axios reported that about 81% of fatal and serious-injury crashes from 2023 through 2025 occurred at intersections, citing Richmond’s in-progress update to its Vision Zero plan. The intersection program is intended to reduce crash risk and improve safety; it is not a guarantee that crashes will be eliminated.

Sources

• City of Richmond — City of Richmond Continues Commitment to Vision Zero
• Axios Richmond — Where Richmond's 700 intersection safety projects are going
• City of Richmond — Vision Zero Intersection Improvements Map