Broad Street Sidewalk Improvements

The Friends of the Park and neighborhood residents approached Dr. Newbille and Mayor Stoney in 2021, requesting attention for serious traffic safety problems on E. Broad Street between 34th Street and Government Road. Multiple accidents have occurred due to speeding vehicles resulting in accidents, property damage and unsafe crossing into Chimborazo Park. Dr. Newbille shepherded the funding, DPW oversaw the engineering plan and contract execution, and in 2025, this essential safety project is now under construction.

Scope of Work

Sidewalk Improvements

• New 5-foot concrete sidewalk along the south side of E. Broad Street (park side)
• New 8-foot concrete sidewalk at key pedestrian gathering areas near park entrance
• Sidewalk reconstruction at intersection tie-in points
• 4" concrete thickness for standard sidewalks; 6" concrete for curb ramps
• 4"–6" aggregate base material beneath all new concrete

Curb Ramp Upgrades

• Demolition and replacement of existing non-compliant curb ramps
• Installation of CG-12 Special Design curb ramps with rolled vertical curb
• Federal Yellow detectable warning surfaces at all ramp landings
• Full compliance with PROWAG (Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines)
  • Maximum ramp slope: 8.33% (1:12)
  • Maximum flare slope: 10% (1:10)
  • Maximum landing slope: 2.1% (1:48)

Curb Bump-Outs (Traffic Calming)

• Two landscaped curb bump-outs at E. Broad Street / Chimborazo Boulevard intersection
• Dimensions: 20' length × 6.5' width (each)
• 5-foot radius curb returns with 45-degree angles
• Raised reflective markers (3M Series 290) spaced 1.5' apart
• OM2-1V object marker signs mounted on U-type rolled rail steel posts
• Slip-resistant diamond-pattern metal plates over existing gutter pans to maintain drainage

Bump-Out Landscaping

Native, low-maintenance plantings per bump-out:

• Schillings Dwarf Yaupon Holly: 4 plants at 36" o.c.
• Walker's Low Catmint: 3 plants at 24" o.c.
• Black-Eyed Susan: 13 plants at 15" o.c.

Soil preparation includes 9" of amended organic fill topped with 3" shredded bark mulch.

Signage and Pavement Markings

• New R1-1 STOP sign at park exit onto E. Broad Street
• Relocated ONE WAY (R6-2), DO NOT ENTER (R5-1), and NO PARKING (R7-1) signs
• New W11-2 / W16-7p pedestrian crossing sign assemblies (fluorescent yellow-green)
• 24" white crosswalk markings (Type B, Class I thermoplastic)
• 4" double yellow centerline an

Key Contacts

• City Project Manager: Thomas Moore, (804) 646-2720
• Engineer Contact: Evan Robohm, Timmons Group, (804) 934-1750
• Emergency Communications: (804) 646-5700

Adjacent Properties

The project fronts Chimborazo Park (City of Richmond Recreation & Parks) and the Richmond National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service) on the south side of E. Broad Street, with private residential parcels on the north side.

Download the Full construction plan here.