Richmond to Overhaul 700 Intersections Under Mayor Avula's Vision Zero Push

By Billy Briefman · October 1, 2026 · 2 min read read

Richmond Targets 700 Intersections for Safety Upgrades Under Vision Zero Plan Originally reported by WTVR CBS 6. WTVR CBS 6 Richmond officials plan to implement safety improvements at more than...

Richmond Targets 700 Intersections for Safety Upgrades Under Vision Zero Plan

Originally reported by WTVR CBS 6. WTVR CBS 6

Richmond officials plan to implement safety improvements at more than 700 intersections across the city to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities as part of the Vision Zero initiative.

The project targets high-injury networks where data shows a concentration of serious crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. By focusing on these specific locations, the city aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries through engineering changes and infrastructure upgrades, according to reporting from WTVR CBS 6.

Infrastructure Changes and Community Feedback

The planned improvements include a variety of physical adjustments to city streets. According to WTVR CBS 6, the city will install high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions to shorten crossing distances, and adjusted signal timing to give pedestrians a head start at busy crossings.

Community members expressed a mix of optimism and urgency regarding the timeline of these installations. Residents living near high-traffic corridors noted that while the plans address long-standing safety concerns, the speed of implementation remains a primary concern for those navigating dangerous intersections daily.

Vision Zero Goals

Richmond adopted the Vision Zero framework to shift the approach to traffic safety from reactive to proactive. The initiative treats traffic deaths as preventable incidents rather than inevitable accidents. According to the city's plan, these 700 intersection improvements represent a significant phase in the broader effort to redesign RVA streets for all users.

City officials continue to evaluate crash data to prioritize which intersections receive upgrades first, focusing on areas with the highest rates of pedestrian-involved incidents.

This article is based on reporting originally published by WTVR CBS 6. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.