HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — In a move aimed at enhancing safety for pedestrians and drivers alike, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors has allocated $1.5 million to improve road lighting throughout the area.
This decision follows a rise in traffic incidents, with local police reporting 70 crashes on county roads since Oct. 8, including at least 54 involving pedestrians.
The funding will primarily support the installation of solar-powered street lights in poorly lit areas, focusing on key intersections and locations identified as having a higher frequency of pedestrian-related accidents.
The selection of these areas will be guided by a comprehensive analysis of crash data over the past five years.
High-priority locations for the new lighting include Staples Mill Road, Nine Mile Road and Laburnum Avenue, which have all been flagged for immediate attention.
Henrico County already invests millions in road safety, spending $5 million annually in sidewalk enhancements and $170 million in various safety initiatives. The recent funding for improved lighting is expected to significantly bolster these efforts, creating safer conditions for all road users.
