The City of Harrisonburg’s Complete Streets Demonstration Project attempts to reimagine North Mason Street through temporary infrastructure modifications designed to enhance safety and community use. Beginning July 7, 2025, this month-long pilot will reconfigure traffic patterns between East Market Street and North Main Street, with particular focus on the Gay Street to Elizabeth Street corridor.
The demonstration employs a “quick-build” methodology, shifting all traffic to the eastern two lanes while installing temporary roundabouts at the Gay and Elizabeth Street intersections. This configuration reduces pedestrian crossing distances, calms traffic speeds, and reclaims the western lanes for alternative community uses including pedestrian spaces, cycling infrastructure, and social gathering areas. A community event on July 12 will showcase these possibilities by opening the reclaimed space for public activities.
This initiative directly addresses the historical impact of Urban Renewal, which demolished homes and businesses to create the current four-lane configuration. Working in conjunction with the Harrisonburg Community Connectors Project and the Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan, the demonstration seeks to repair past damage while creating a more equitable, accessible streetscape.
The project emerged from extensive community engagement, including public forums and the Harrisonburg Complete Streets Leadership Academy, which united neighborhood residents, business leaders, and transportation professionals. Throughout the pilot period, the City will collect comprehensive data on traffic patterns, safety metrics, and user experiences. This evidence-based approach, combined with ongoing community feedback, will inform decisions about permanent infrastructure investments, ensuring that any future changes reflect both technical best practices and community values.
Learn more: https://harrisonburgva.gov/transportation-projects#NorthMasonStreetCompleteStreetDemonstrationProject
