Federal Funds Support New Route 1 Pedestrian Crossing
TL;DR: Chesterfield County will construct a new pedestrian crossing on Route 1 south of Sherbourne Road, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029 and supported by federal funding.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Department of Transportation
- What: Construction of a pedestrian crossing on Route 1 to allow safe crossing of the highway
- When: Preliminary engineering underway; construction anticipated to begin in 2029
- Where: Route 1, just south of Sherbourne Road, Chesterfield County
The story
Chesterfield County will construct a new pedestrian crossing on Route 1 just south of Sherbourne Road to provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross the heavily traveled highway. The project is supported by federal funding and is currently in the preliminary engineering phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029. The county anticipates that daily lane and shoulder closures during off-peak hours may be necessary during construction to minimize traffic disruption.
The crossing is one of several pedestrian safety projects the county has undertaken along Route 1 in response to documented safety concerns. A comprehensive Route 1 Pedestrian Crossing Safety Study, completed in summer 2024, evaluated the corridor from Richmond to Colonial Heights to strategically identify locations for pedestrian crossings based on traffic patterns, pedestrian activity, crash history, and proximity to schools, parks, and libraries. Other Route 1 projects underway or recently completed include a Fall Line Trail shared-use path and pedestrian signal between Marina Drive and Elliham Avenue (anticipated completion by end of 2026), sidewalk improvements between Dundas Road and Sherbourne Road, and pedestrian hybrid beacon signals planned between Sherbourne Road and Swineford Road.
County transportation officials have cited increasing pedestrian crashes and fatalities as a driving factor behind these improvements. Chesterfield recorded at least five pedestrian crashes in 2026 alone, with four proving fatal. Between 2015 and 2025, approximately 175 pedestrian crashes occurred on county roadways, about 57 of which were fatal. Officials noted a notable uptick in pedestrian crashes and fatalities since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
For more information about the project, residents can contact Nate Mathis at 804-748-1037 or MathisN@chesterfield.gov.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Department of Transportation: Project owner and implementer
- Nate Mathis: Principal Engineer, Chesterfield Department of Transportation; project contact
Key dates
- 2029: Construction anticipated to begin on Route 1 pedestrian crossing
Why it matters: The crossing addresses a documented safety gap on a major county corridor where pedestrian crashes and fatalities have been rising. Providing safe crossing infrastructure is essential for pedestrian safety and community connectivity in this area.
Places
Development timeline
- 2024-06Route 1 Pedestrian Crossing Safety Study completed: Comprehensive study evaluated Route 1 corridor from Richmond to Colonial Heights to strategically locate pedestrian crossings based on safety data and connectivity needs [source]
- 2026-08-03Federal funding announced for Route 1 crossing at Sherbourne Road: Chesterfield County announces new pedestrian crossing project with federal funding support, currently in preliminary engineering phase [source]
- 2029Construction anticipated to begin: Construction of the Route 1 pedestrian crossing south of Sherbourne Road is anticipated to begin [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Civic Alert - Route 1 Pedestrian Crossing
- Chesterfield County Transportation Projects
- Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Read the original at Transportation Projects →
Sources
- Chesterfield County Civic Alerts - Route 1 Pedestrian Crossing
- Chesterfield County Transportation Projects
- Pedestrian Safety Improvements
- Transportation Studies