Beginning June 1, the speed limit on North Franklin Street will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph to improve safety and prepare for construction starting later this year.
Estimated to be bid for construction in late September 2018, North Franklin Street will be undergoing corridor improvements, including ramp modifications to Route 460, traffic signal modifications, access management and pedestrian enhancements, new turn lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks. The project will improve traffic flow and enhance driver and pedestrian safety along the corridor.
To prepare for construction, the speed limit on North Franklin Street, from Cambria Street to Wades Lane, will be reduced to 35 mph. This new speed limit will remain in place after the project is complete to ensure safe traveling along the street, in the bike lanes and on the pedestrian crosswalks.
Digital message boards have been placed on North Franklin Street to inform motorists of the impending change.
Also on June 1, motorists will see speed limit adjustments on Depot Street and Radford Street.
On Depot Street, the Town will simply be moving the location of current speed limit signs to change the spot where the speed limit reduces. Once this change is made, the speed limit on Depot Street will be 35 mph from Roanoke Street to just before Lester Street. From that point, the speed limit will be 25 mph until the intersection of Depot Street and North Franklin Street. The Town is adjusting the location of these signs for consistency and in anticipation of a potential future pedestrian trail in the area.
On Radford Street, to improve safety, the speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph. Once motorists exit town limits, the speed limit on Radford Street increases to the VDOT-posted speed, which is currently 55 mph.