The City of Harrisonburg is taking steps to improve safety and traffic flow along Port Republic Road with two projects along the corridor from Hunters Rd to Devon Lane and from Bluestone Drive to Crawford Avenue. City of Harrisonburg Public Works invites community members to participate in an open house discussion on Thursday, November 14, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Harrisonburg City Hall Council Chambers, located at 409 S. Main Street.
The first project, stretching from Devon Lane to Hunters Road, proposed to add to the corridor a new traffic signal at Bradley Drive. Other proposed enhancements include dedicated left turn lanes to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak hours. Pedestrian safety takes center stage with new crosswalks and signals at this intersection, making it safer for pedestrians to navigate the area. A concrete median will be constructed between Devon Lane and Hunters Road to eliminate dangerous left-turn conflicts that have contributed to crashes in recent years. Cyclists will benefit from a rebuilt and separated bike lane adjacent to the sidewalk, creating a safer space for alternative transportation.
The second project focuses on the segment from Bluestone Drive to Crawford Avenue, particularly addressing the challenges of JMU campus access. The eastbound left turn lane at Bluestone Drive will be significantly extended from its current 100-foot length to 300 feet, better accommodating the queue of vehicles entering campus. A new five-foot-wide sidewalk will connect the residential neighborhood to JMU’s campus along the south side of Port Republic Road, creating a continuous safe path between Crawford Avenue and the existing crosswalk at Bluestone Drive.
Both projects are progressing on parallel timelines, with preliminary engineering work continuing through 2024, followed by right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation in 2024-2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, marking a significant investment in our community’s transportation infrastructure.
Community members unable to attend the open house can still make their voices heard through multiple channels. A digital questionnaire will be available through December 12, 2024, offering a convenient way to provide feedback. Project diagrams will be shared online following the open house, allowing for informed commentary on the proposed changes. Brittany Clem-Hott, Public Works Outreach & Communications Specialist, welcomes questions and comments via email at brittany.clem-hott@harrisonburgva.gov or by phone at 540-434-5928.
For detailed information about these projects, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s dedicated project websites at www.harrisonburgva.gov/port-rep-road-bradley-dr and www.harrisonburgva.gov/port-rd-bluestone-dr.