Officials prepare for RIR traffic rerouting next week
The Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to Richmond International Raceway in preparation for next weekend's NASCAR events. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.
Motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays all day May 1 and May 2 in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. before the races and 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect May 2 during peak hours:
- Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue.
- Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until the race starts.
- Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times.
- After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue.
- After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road beginning at about 10 p.m.
- After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound.
On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available May 2 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street for $6. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m. Parking also will be available at the Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike beginning at 11 a.m.; the cost is $5 per car and $25 per recreational vehicle, and free shuttle bus service to RIR is included.
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Reader Reactions
This is one of the reasons why I nixed the idea of a race track at RIR back in the 90s and early 2000.
The State Fair should have STAYED at RIR and the NASCAR race should have found a home elsewhere, somewhere along 1-64 in a rural area.
Richmond traffic cannot handle RIR race events, even when notice is given. The main thoroughfare runs through the middle of a major city.
opinion- Martinsville has significantly less “regular” traffic so of course it’s going to be much easier to get around. RIR is in a pretty busy area with a lot of “regular” traffic (drive around there during rush hour if you never have). There is never going to be an easy way to make a traffic plan for it, due to location. People who go just need to be prepared to deal or stay home and stop complaining about it.
Richmond’s traffic “plan” after races is the WORST. I can get to Martinsville, watch the race, and get back in town in LESS time than I have to invest in the round trip to the local, Richmond race. I won’t even go to the Richmond race when I can score free tickets because the poor traffic planning ruins the entire event for me.
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