VDOT‑funded Fifth Street road‑diet moves to public comment; open house scheduled May 9

City transportation staff briefed VPAC on a VDOT‑funded design study for Fifth Street that would remove a southbound traffic lane between Cherry Avenue and Fifth Street Station and convert the space to a protected bikeway.

"We're taking feedback starting today through the end of the month," said Ben Chambers, the city’s transportation planning manager, describing an online survey and a public open house scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. at Jackson‑VIA Elementary.

Chambers said VDOT provided roughly $150,000 in leftover funds for a study and that the city will need to invest local money for construction if the design advances. He said the project team will refine designs based on public feedback and expects to bring a recommendation to city council in May or at the first meeting in June.

Chambers urged residents to comment on the project webpage and survey, which ask design‑level questions (for example, whether to include a right‑turn lane at specific intersections). He noted the survey allows respondents to add material preferences or requests for protected barriers.

Staff said the project will be coordinated with an upcoming county study of nearby corridors; they also flagged potential capacity impacts at Fifth Street Station and suggested the city should weigh short‑term tradeoffs to secure a protected bikeway.

No formal council action had occurred at the time of the meeting; staff said public feedback will inform whether the city proceeds later this year.