Richmond is one step closer to receiving a healthy fiscal boost in its continued efforts to improve the health of the James River.
A couple walk along the Virginia Capital Trail bike path beside the James River near Rocketts Landing in Richmond on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021.
Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and Mark Warner, D-Va., secured $750,000 toward reworking the natural buffer along the James River. The funding was part of the Senate’s fiscal year 2024 draft funding bills.
On Monday July 10, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks about the plan for Dock Street Park. He noted the Great American Outdoors Act has produced more than 400 conservation projects in Virginia by authorizing Land and Water Conservation Fund money, with more still to come in Richmond and the commonwealth.
“The James River is the heart of Richmond,” Kaine said in a statement. “This funding would help ensure Virginians can enjoy outdoor recreation along the James for generations to come and improve water quality for Richmonders.”
The spending dollars would also go toward rerouting the Virginia Capital Trail, with the intention of preventing pollutants from running off into the river.
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Warner
With the bills making it through the Senate Appropriations Committee, they will now need to be reconciled with the House of Representatives.
“Generations of Richmond residents have relied on the James River as a key source of drinking water and a beautiful spot for outdoor activities,” Warner said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to see $750,000 going straight to preserving this invaluable natural resource in the latest version of the government spending bill, and I’m ready to work hard to get it passed as part of the final law.”
The city has taken recent steps toward preserving the James River for its 2 million annual visitors. In July, Mayor Levar Stoney announced the city’s purchase of four acres on Dock Street, with plans to enhance surrounding parks and nature areas.
The trail rerouting would include moving it off the road onto the new Dock Street property.
“We are super excited about rerouting the Capital Trail,” said Cat Anthony, executive director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. “Any way that we can re-establish that property back to nature, making sure the James River is protected and the Capital Trail is connected and that water quality is going to be better for residents is just even better.”
With the bipartisan-sponsored bills being directed toward key priorities throughout the Commonwealth, Richmond will look to use that support to make the busiest section of the Capital Trail a more attractive spot for visitors.
“It’s a huge bang for tourism, economic development, health and wellness, transportation,” Anthony added. “It’s great to see the city and also legislators making this a priority, cause it is a priority for our citizens.”
This story has been updated to include additional information on the FY 2024 bill process.
From the Archives: Richmond tunnels
Tunnels
07-01-1938 (cutline): Richmond’s ‘Holland Tube’–Shown above is the southern opening of the tunnel beneath the James River and Kanawhat Canal, built originally to carry water from the old pump house to the city reservoir but later used as a passageway by Richmonders of a few decades ago. J. L. Munson, engineer at the electric power plant which now stands on the site of the pump-house, is shown near the mouth of the tube.
Tunnels
06-12-1974 (cutline): Workmen view partly cleared tunnel entrance on Gamble’s Hill. Tunnel runs for some three blocks east to west under Byrd Street.
Tunnels
03-06-1941 (cutline): Filling up Byrd Street Tunnel–Workers start filling in the old Byrd Street tunnell, formerly used by the R., F. & P. Railroad. The job will cost $14,299. The Department of Public Works will supply $3,657 and the WPA will furnish $10,642.
Tunnels
11-11-1977 (cutline): Tunnels, containing steam heating lines, zigzag to government buildings.
Tunnels
10-29-1970 (cutline): The Overton Street tunnel connecting Seventh and Ninth Streets just north of the Ninth Street Bridge, will be closed permanently after 9 a.m. Monday. City Traffic Engineer W.F. Thomas said the tunnel is being demolished to make way for the north abutment of the new Ninth Street Bridge. The city authorized construction of the tunnel by the former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, now Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, in February 1917. The tunnel now carries a daily traffic load of nearly 2,700 vehicles.
Tunnels
11-13-1977: Plan of Property showing tunnel systems of State Capitol Buildings and Medical College of Virginia.
Tunnels
01-25-1953 (cutline): An MCV orderly pushes a wheelchair patient to old Memorial Hospital for physical therapy. This tunnel passes under Broad Street traffic.
Tunnels
08-12-1970 (cutline): Work continues on the tunnel which will permit persons to pass between the new City Hall and the Health, Safety, Welfare Building without having to cross Marshall Street. This photo, taken from the new City Hall, shows the forms for the walls of the tunnel, expected to cost $91,000 and the walk way about it, where now-closed Marshall Street will be replaced. The automobiles and construction vehicles are parked in the future site of a mall, planned for next fiscal year at cost of $1.1 million. Construction of the tunnel is expected to be completed in about six weeks, and Marshall Street should be reopened before winter.
Tunnels
12-10-1941 (cutline): In real emergency, Captiol Square tunnels might be air raid shelters. But city officials hope better shelters will be available if bombers come.
Tunnels
01-25-1953 (cutline): Governor Battle takes subterranean route to Mansion during rain. He used tunnels once in campaign to help Adlai Stevenson dodge crowd.
Tunnels
10-16-1966 (cutline): Julian Cornwell (left), Park Supervisor, studies tunnel blueprints. Bob Davis (right) is construction foreman for the project. The tunnel was located in Petersburg and was originally built in 1864 during the Civil War and was being excavated in 1966.