Construction Preview: From August 2016 to October 2017

Construction activities for the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 16, weather permitting, by the Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor, Lane Construction. 

We continue to learn more details about the anticipated construction timeline, which is subject to change. The project team expects major construction work will progress within these approximate timeframes. Work is weather and progress-dependent:

• Thompson Street to Laurel Street: August 2016 – October 2016. Utility work occurs on eastbound Broad Street on the south side sidewalk and adjacent lane.
• Allison Street to 5th Street: October 2016 – April 2017. Station work occurs in the median area.
• I-195 to Allison Street: March 2017 – July 2017. Station work occurs in the median area.
• Curbside Stations (Willow Lawn, Staples Mill, Main Street Station, Shockoe Bottom, East Riverfront and Orleans St): November 2016 – October 2017. Station work occurs in the sidewalk area and adjacent lane only at station locations.
• 4th Street to 12th Street Westbound: June 2017 – October 2017. Station work occurs in the sidewalk area. Westbound outside lane is closed.
• 4th Street to 12th Street Eastbound: August 2017 – October 2017. Station work occurs in the sidewalk area. Eastbound outside lane is closed.

Pulse operations are scheduled to begin October 2017!

Pulse Point: Temporary Lane Closures Eastbound Broad Street from Thompson Street to Laurel Street

Construction activities for the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 16, weather permitting.

WHO:              DB Contractor, Lane Construction

WHAT:            Temporary Sidewalk and One Curbside Lane Closures

WHEN:            Tuesday, August 16 to Sunday, October 16, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

WHERE:         The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound Broad Street from 3321 Thompson Street progressing to the 300 block of Laurel Street. Work will occur on the sidewalk on the south side of Broad Street.

BRIEF: Utility relocation work will begin at Thompson and Broad Street. Construction will progress eastward along the south side of Eastbound Broad Street. This work will progress at a rate of roughly one block per day. Work Zones will involve closing one curb and/or parking lane of Broad Street and a portion of the adjacent sidewalk for approximately 500 to 550 feet around the work site.  Pedestrian pathway detours and street lane closure signs will be posted accordingly. Please follow construction signage and be aware of construction workers and vehicles within the Work Zone(s). Pedestrians are advised to follow Work Zone signage in the sidewalk area. Permitted work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

BACKGROUND: During construction, the public will continue to have access to businesses, organizations and services located along the Project route.

A construction hotline is active at 804-980-0084, providing updates on construction and expected impacts. For updates online, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info. As work progresses, frequent updates will be provided.

Lane Construction will proactively minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would impact parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business-related functions must receive approval from VDOT who will ensure that continuous access will be provided to all businesses at all times. All Project team members are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region as part of the overall success of the Project.

As always, work is weather and progress-dependent. Pulse service is expected to begin in October 2017.

GRTC Pulse is a modern, high quality, high capacity rapid transit system that will serve a 7.6 mile route along Broad Street and Main Street, from Rocketts Landing in the City of Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County. The Pulse will link the public to many exciting destinations, businesses, services and restaurants.

Construction Activities for GRTC Pulse Scheduled to Begin August 16

Construction activities for the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 16, weather permitting.

All activities in preparation for construction are now complete, and the Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor, Lane Construction, is ready to proceed with its construction plan.

Utility relocation work is expected to begin at Thompson and Broad Street, progressing eastward on the south side of Broad Street. Temporary work zones will involve closing one curb lane of Broad Street and the adjacent sidewalk for 500 feet around the work site. Please follow travel signage around these mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety. Pedestrians, please follow work zone signage in the sidewalk area. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

During construction, access to businesses and organizations located along the Project route will remain open.

WHO:              DB Contractor, Lane Construction

WHAT:            Temporary Sidewalk and One Curbside Lane Closures

WHEN:            Tuesday, August 16 through approximately October 2016, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

WHERE:         The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound Broad Street from Thompson Street to Laurel Street. Work occurs on eastbound Broad Street on the south side sidewalk and south side curbside lane.

Pulse service is expected to begin in October 2017. As always, work is weather and progress-dependent.

A new construction hotline is now active at 804-980-0084, providing updates on construction and expected impacts. For updates online, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info. As work progresses, frequent updates will be provided on the “what, when and where.”

The DB Team will proactively minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would impact parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business-related functions must receive prior approval from VDOT who will ensure that continuous access will be provided to all businesses at all times. All Project team members are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region as part of the overall success of the Project.

Pulse Point: Soil Testing Continues With Temporary Lane Closures

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound and westbound Broad Street from Maywill Ave. to 14^th Street

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations for ongoing soil testing.  The work is being performed in preparation for future construction of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to the immediate location of the soil testing.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) and are anticipated to last for a short period of time with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open. 

Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and is being performed in preparation for future construction. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route.

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on preparation activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.

Quarterly Public Informational Meetings: July 18 & 19, 2016

The next quarterly GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project Public Informational Meetings are scheduled. The purpose of these meetings is to introduce the Design-Build Team and provide an update on the status of the Project.   Content of these meetings is identical; please plan to attend the meeting most convenient for your schedule.   Members of the media are invited to attend.

Monday, July 18, 2016 at 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Richmond Main Library
101 E. Franklin Street

This location is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System (Route 16). Two-hour free on-street parking is available on surrounding streets. Paid parking is available in the parking garage entrance located at Grace and 2^nd Streets. 

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Children’s Museum of Richmond

2626 W. Broad Street

This location is conveniently accessible from the GRTC Bus System (Routes 1, 3, 4, 6, 19 and 24).  Parking is available in the parking lot. 

Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. GRTC strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for persons who require assistance to participate. For special assistance, contact Ashley Mason at 804-474-9364 or email amason@ridegrtc.com at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.  GRTC Transit System’s CARE and CARE Plus services also provide curb-to-curb Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to residents of the Richmond Region.  

Pulse Point: Ongoing Soil Testing and Temporary Lane Closures

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, July 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and is being performed in preparation for future construction. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East.

•  Eastbound and westbound Broad Street between Staples Mill Road and 14^th Street

•  East Main Street between 14^th Street and Orleans Street

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations for ongoing soil testing.  The work is being performed in preparation for future construction of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to the immediate location of the soil testing.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) and are anticipated to last for a short period of time (usually less than one hour) with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open. 

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on preparation activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.

Pulse Point: Brief, Minor Pre-Construction Activities Continue

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound and westbound Broad Street between Staples Mill Road and 14^th Street

·         East Main Street between 14^th Street and Orleans Street

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations during collection of soil borings for testing.  The borings are being performed as a pre-construction activity of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to a small, focused area.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) for a small stretch (usually less than 100 feet long) and for only a short period of time (usually less than one hour) with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open.

Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and pre-construction activities. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East. A few borings may be necessary at the Willow Lawn station site in Henrico County.

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on pre-construction activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.