Board approves Bridge Avenue and East Main street closures for repairs and an Uptown celebration

The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety on Aug. 14 approved two separate street-closure requests: a multi-day closure on Bridge Avenue for infrastructure work and a short evening closure on the 900 block of East Main Street for an Uptown Richmond celebration.

Per paperwork submitted to the board, the Bridge Avenue closure runs Aug. 18–Aug. 29, 2025, for all-day work between Northwest J Street and the Y intersection with Sheridan Street. Board members noted a possible agenda typo concerning the dates and discussed the closure’s effect on traffic around Fairview Elementary School during afternoon pickup hours.

Aaron Stevens, administrative resource officer for the Richmond Police Department, said he had not confirmed whether the contractor had spoken directly with Fairview Elementary and added, “I do not know personally if that individual did speak with them. ... I’m very well aware of being in that area in the morning and in the afternoon at the school pickup hours, how much of a burden that will be.”

The board approved the Bridge Avenue closure as presented. The board also approved a short street closure on Aug. 28 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 900 block of East Main Street to celebrate the renovation of the Read More Building and the “rebirth of Uptown Richmond.” Both closures were approved by motion, second and unanimous vocal “aye.”

The Code Enforcement Department and the city’s public-safety staff will oversee coordination, including alternate routing and any needed traffic control during school pickup times and the event period.