Icetera

While the drop in frequency has discouraged me some, I do appreciate it and enjoy that my cars move perhaps once per week now (granted I walk most everywhere). Its inception has certainly increased my business along the Broad Street corridor as I cut back on places out of reach, such as Carytown. I look forward to the North-South line opening up new areas, assuming the transfer point and timing are reasonable. I would hope with the Short Pump extension and new Malvern station, that they would look into realigning to median running (only Staples Mill needs redone as Willow Lawn may need entirely new stations regardless) or at least more dedicated lanes (perhaps out to WL until ridership and frequency increases farther out). Unfortunately I am not optimistic on this.

The Pulse barely has dedicated lanes as they are only on the median-running stretch from Arts District to I-195, where they then join mixed traffic and curb-side stations. Through downtown until 14th St, the Pulse mostly runs down a bus-only lane, but it has to constantly change lanes to get around other buses (especially VCU's). In front to the Convention Center, for whatever reason, there is a one block loss of bus lanes where the Pulse has to mix into regular traffic to go around parked vehicles. After/before Convention Center and I-195 bridge, the Pulse has to leap across all travel lanes to get to the opposite side. For the stretch of 14th St. and Main St., the Pulse is completely mixed traffic sharing the 2-4 lanes (depending on hours on Main). West of I-195 the Pulse is completely mixed traffic along 6-lanes. It should have kept a consistent median-running dedicated lane setup along the entirety of Broad Street and 14th, then ran curbside along Main St, once again, with dedicated lanes.

Towards the end they seemed to be using the cheapest noodles possible and what tasted like Ragu so its close came to no surprise for me. A shame because it is a cool spot but glad to see some grinders in its place.

We could run a hybrid of that having BRT still run to the end points but have higher frequency uses running the core route and turning short while lower frequency continues on. End-point users would simply transfer at the cutoff points if their current bus does not continue on. This would allow easy updating of frequency as demand increases.

As someone who walks by this daily, I still wish we at least got some development along the streetscape as this is a long stretch of grassy and gravel lots, with little likely-hood of changing. We need riverside parks but we also need proper connectivity from East End to the city, allowing for pedestrian activity not just during the daylight. I also wish we allowed some more variation of river amenities (dining, etc.) that cater to those not as interested in fitness and rugged nature (I swim across the river often so clearly not me, lol).

Considering how packed the concourse was, I imagine quite a few were flying out to Hartford, but I did not pay attention to the seating around the gate.

Certainly valid points. Running 14th St would need a stop placed near Main to connect MSS, so that would cover the Slip. The current Pulse fills up at MCV/Government Center so either it needs overlap coverage or we end up adding more stock that goes under-utilized on the rest of the route. I think there is little doubt that a line will run over the Lee Bridge, connecting Belle/Brown Isle and the new amphitheater. Original plans also included a future East-West run via Carytown, though I would rather see that directed North up AA Blvd. to the Diamond District and Lakeside rather than continue through to Thompson St.

My last Friday flight back from PHX would have been a Breeze-thru to Hartford. Very few were left sitting on the plane, perhaps a dozen at most. I have no idea how many were continuing from Hartford to PHX on the Monday flight but now I am curious.

This is maybe 1/3 of that property adjacent to Ship lock Park.

The highest volume section of the Pulse is from MSS (especially MCV/Government) to VCU so an overlapping route will be needed. This means the Mayo Bridge. Hull Street is comparable to Main Street through Shockoe Bottom and the Pulse runs fine enough through there so it can be done. A route running up 8th/9th will be great one day, but currently it is a deadzone outside of a few hours during the week so not much of a of a priority when everything is only a few blocks from the current line. I walk the Mayo Bridge fairly regularly, and while it is the least favorite part of my walk due to the long empty stretch and unmaintained narrow pedestrian infrastructure, I do not find it especially terrifying (though I have had your same thought about jumping in the river trying to get around the fisherman). On bicycle, that is a different story and I will often bike further down to the T. Potterfield Bridge instead. While I am looking forward to the improved bridge, especially for biking, the closure for construction is going to greatly cut my trips to Manchester as I much prefer walking and not worrying about bike storage. If I have to drive, then I am most likely going to hop onto the Expressway to Carytown rather than reroute over the Manchester Bridge. I imagine that is going to be worse for Manchester residents seeking groceries.

Raised crosswalks would be great. I would love to see bump-outs as well but I see that as a potential barrier to what will likely be a future Pulse corridor. Since the peak hour lanes are usually blocked by the few stretches where parking is available, perhaps installing temporary bump-outs could work for now. I believe the speed limit on the Mayo Bridge makes sense as it is a long stretch with nearly no intersections. Artificially lowering the official speed limit would do nothing to slow traffic as drivers will naturally drive what feels safe.

With so many grocery stores just West of there, I would never imagine Lidl trying to squeeze in, especially in a primarily single family neighborhood while new dense neighborhoods lack for any grocer. Aldi could theoretically fit into the renovated buildings but once again they are just up the street off Boulevard. The remaining buildings perfectly complement the rest of Cary Street Station, so I think the best hope for further significant density here is something around 6 floors filling the Expressway facing lot. Considering the iconic view across Columbus Lake, that may even be a fight with NIMBYS.

Both flights appeared to be full.

This is usually the one thing that I disagree with Bruce on. The Mayo Bridge is crucial for Manchester to East-End traffic whereas utilizing I-95 or the Manchester bridge essentially doubles the travel time or piles more traffic into the Shockoe Bottom grid. Personally, if I am traveling up I-95 from Southside I will often exit on Maury, to reach Dock St via E. 2nd. Traffic absolutely needs to be slowed on Hull Street, whether with lights or 4-way stops, but eliminating vehicular traffic and creating a geographical cul-de-sac creates a huge barrier between Manchester and East-End business activity. Also of note, removing vehicle access would require a significant and awkward re-routing of US 360.

I have to say that this week's experience with Breeze RIC>PHX was great. It was also amazing to see the concourse packed upon returning home at 8pm Friday. The concourse restaurants were absolutely filled and show that there is opportunity for more options. Of note, the outside security Applebee's was closed so perhaps once security is combined and it becomes part of the concourses then it will have later hours.

I was just commenting how much I love that project while on a ride the other week. We really need more like it.

I believe I can work that.

I was surprised to see the little LEGO brick visitor center clearly visible from the Enon Bridge so this facility may really stand out once complete.

Per our Community Meeting, HHHunt will be adding an additional 21 townhomes to the very far (Henrico) end of Rocketts Landing soon.

I almost lost it when I saw this image looking as if Petersburg would get an urban format Target, but it appears to be just an example rendering. Still, these developments bode well for seeing Petersburg work toward its great potential. https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/petersburg-plans-april-12-2023 Downtown Sycamore Grove Sycamore Grove

From what I recall, the location for Phase 1 is basically all of the cleared green space here (Ballpark left), then Phase 2 replaces the old stadiums:

It is not quite a tower built out of LEGOs but at least there is now a single giant brick in Chesterfield: https://www.progress-index.com/story/lifestyle/2023/04/11/lego-group-project-visitor-center-installed-in-chester-watch-video-over-1700-jobs-nine-open-now/70102858007/?fbclid=IwAR0Pdggpn7l19Wxatv7NODGMbn8EBkdWRp9JeW297M_-RokOx3YtuTPQSDo

To make it worse, I moved this piece over to the proper thread I would really love to combine SA, Diamond/Hermitage/Ownby, and Newtowne/Carver in the future.

Tentatively looking at flights and surprised to see RIC listed as the lowest fare out of a collection of airports from here to Philly (and hell no do I intend to spend that!). I will be trying out Breeze for the first time to PHX this month. The two flights a week is obnoxious but certainly the best deal.

I was rather surprised to see that workers were still operating in Cobb Lumber yesterday, though their stock looks rather empty.