‘Something needs to be done’: Business owners react to $37M Hull St. infrastructure project

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond has launched a major $37 million infrastructure project aimed at improving road safety and traffic flow on Hull Street.

This two-year project, which began on Tuesday, April 28, will address a range of issues on the busy corridor that stretches from Warwick Road to Hey Road, benefiting both the Richmond and Chesterfield areas.

The extensive upgrades planned for the area include the addition of a shared-use path, new sidewalks, improved street lighting, enhanced signage, landscaping and new curbs. A key focus of the project is to enhance safety for all road users -- drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in two years and is financed by the Federal Smart Scale and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds, as well as city and state resources.

(Photo: Sahara Sriraman)

Business owners along Hull Street, who have witnessed countless accidents over the years, are hopeful that these improvements will make a real difference.

Cece Gutierrez, a worker at Martha's Beauty Salon, shared her concerns about the lack of a designated left-turn lane, which she says contributes to frequent accidents. Drivers slowing down to make turns often risk being rear-ended or even struck by oncoming traffic.

“We see it all the time right here -- people getting hit from the back, four-car accidents, just people hitting each other, people going fast,” said Gutierrez. “It’s dangerous, and something needs to change.”

Gutierrez also pointed out that the absence of proper lighting at night makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians and other vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents. She believes the improvements, especially the better lighting and wider sidewalks, will make the area much safer.

The city added other advancements to the project will include:

• Street lighting
• New sidewalks
• Signage and pavement markings
• Storm drainage improvements
• Landscaping
• Traffic improvements
• Pavement overlay and widening
• New curb and gutters
• Sewer and utility improvements

“This is a good starting point because if they see that it’s working on one side, they can probably expand it to other areas that are also facing similar issues,” Gutierrez added. “You have to start somewhere.”

For many businesses along Hull Street, these safety upgrades are a long-awaited and much-needed change. The project is expected to reduce the risk of accidents, improve traffic flow and enhance the overall safety of the area, benefiting both local businesses and the wider community.

(Photo: Sahara Sriraman)

The project is expected to take about two years to complete. For a detailed breakdown of the planned upgrades, visit the project’s website.