Jan. 22 Newsletter: Texas Beach bridge plans
Weather: A bonus snowfall last night will stick around, as we only reach 26 degrees today.
School delay: Richmond Public Schools will open on a two-hour delay this morning.
On this date in 1976, seafood sales plummet and the EPA begins investigating after dozens of workers in Hopewell who helped manufacture the pesticide Kepone fall ill.
Note: This article has been corrected to reflect the workers fell ill.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities to do what others can’t or won’t. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
Plans for $2 million Texas Beach bridge repair being finalized, say city officials
Efforts to repair the Texas Beach pedestrian bridge are moving forward, although the city still needs to finalize an engineering agreement with rail company CSX.
The bridge was closed in 2022 after an inspection found “severe structural damage.”
The $2 million repair project will be funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Read more, including why the construction will be so tricky, here.
Four months later, details on viral tractor-trailer crash remain sparse
A viral crash on I-64 last fall won't have a neat and tidy resolution.
A final accident report was finished sometime last year, but wasn’t released to the public. A Virginia State Police spokesperson said it's still not clear what happened to lead to the accident.
The Richmonder checked in with a veteran truck driver to find out what might have happened that morning. Read his explanation here.
Kamras budget proposal seeks $43.7 million more for schools’ operational spending next year
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras laid out a spending plan to mark the opening of a new budget season. City Council will ultimately decide how much money is made available to RPS.
Kamras noted the city is facing “deep needs” outside the schools and said conversations with city officials indicated “this is going to be a tight year.”
The largest item in Kamras’ budget proposal is roughly $16.5 million needed to meet the collective bargaining agreements the division has signed or expects to sign once negotiations with two remaining bargaining units conclude.
Read more on the budget proposal here.
The cold goes on for RVA
Tuesday was the coldest day in Richmond for more than two years.
Don't expect anything more than last night's dusting of snow in Richmond. However, don't be surprised to see pictures of snow on the beaches from Hampton Roads to the Outer Banks on Wednesday, as storms in Louisiana and Florida move northeast.
Read more, including good news for warmth, but not until February.
Today's sponsor:
VCU supports military waivers, state funding push
Virginia Commonwealth University supports the state program connecting military families to higher education and state efforts to enact funding changes to allow it to continue.
VCU support accounts for about 18% of all state waivers. However, the cost has increased by more than $14.8 million. Read more.
In other news
- Pumps filled with incorrect fuel contributed to sewage leaks in James River last summer (CBS 6)
- Under Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond made almost $1 million in severance payments. Officials won't say to whom. (Times-Dispatch)
- VDOT warns of fake text messages about unpaid tolls (NBC 12)
The editor's desk
As budget season begins, collective bargaining will take center stage this year as city employees and RPS workers are both in line for raises under new agreements. And of course, the water plant breakdown will shine a spotlight on Richmond's aging infrastructure. Tough decisions are ahead for a new City Council.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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