Pre-stage construction for the Republic Road Widening Phase 3 project has begun and will widen Republic Road to five lanes from just west of Parkcrest Avenue to Fairview Avenue.
The project will include the addition of bike lanes, sidewalks, stormwater infrastructure, gas and water utility renewals, and a new traffic signal at Broadway Avenue and Republic Road. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The estimated cost for construction is $2.2 million. The project is funded through the voter-approved 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax.
Republic Road is a major east west arterial providing access to various businesses and to James River Freeway. This segment of Republic Street from Parkcrest to Fairview carries approximately 20,000 vehicles per day. This project will widen Republic Street to five lanes from just west of Parkcrest Avenue to Fairview Avenue. The project will include the addition of bike lanes, sidewalks, storm sewer, curb and gutter, gas and water utility renewals, and a new signal at Broadway and Republic Street.
Construction activities will have large impacts to traffic on Republic Street. Republic Street will remain open during the day, but closure is allowed at night. Closures to the side streets onto Republic will be allowed for short periods of time during the construction.
Access to all business properties will be maintained, but gravel driveways are expected during a large portion of the project. No gravel will be used in the travel lanes on Republic Street
Construction phases
Pre-Stage – Approximately 2-3 months
During this stage the contractor will be performing utility work, tree removal, grading for the temporary bypass road and constructing the temporary bypass road. The temporary bypass road will be built just north of the existing Republic Street pavement between Parkcrest Avenue and the Corporate Village property.
Stage 1 – Approximately 2-3 months
This phase consists of constructing the south side of the new Republic Street roadway. Fairview Avenue directly north of Republic Street will be closed for a portion of this phase. Access to businesses will be maintained, but will be impacted during this phase. Driveways for properties on the south side of Republic Street will be constructed.
Stage 2 – Approximately 2-3 months
This phase consists of constructing the north side of the new Republic Street roadway. Broadway Avenue directly north of Republic Street will be closed for a portion of this phase. The remaining portions of the project will be constructed. The final portion of the project will include turning the signal on at Broadway Avenue and Republic Street, and obtaining grass growth throughout the project.
Previous Work on Republic Road
Phase 1 of the Republic Road Widening Project began in April 2014 and included widening Republic Road to five lanes from Fremont Avenue west across the bridge over James River Freeway. The intersection at Republic Road and National Avenue was rebuilt with dual left turn lanes in all four directions. This phase was completed in fall 2015 with a construction cost of $7.5 million, funded by the 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax (45 percent) and 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax (55 percent).
Phase 2 began in June 2015 and continued the widening of Republic Road to five lanes from Kansas Avenue south to Parkcrest Avenue and included the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks. This phase also included the widening of the Republic Road Bridge over James River Freeway at Lark Avenue. Phase 2 was completed in April 2016 with construction costs totaling $4.1 million, funded by the 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax and Federal funds. The contractor for all three phases of the widening project is Hartman Construction.