Richmond's Urban Design Committee has given the green light to move forward with a plan to install removable bollards at five intersections in Shockoe Bottom on weekend nights, a step city officials and business owners say could finally bring order to one of the city's busiest entertainment districts. The bollards would restrict vehicle access during those hours. They would go up and come down on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The plan calls for eight bollards at each of the five intersections, including 18th and Franklin streets and the stretch from East Main to East Grace streets, according to WRLH. The goal, per the station, is to improve traffic flow monitoring and pedestrian safety during the neighborhood's busiest hours. Right now, the Richmond Department of Public Works relies on traffic control devices and A-frame barricades to block off those intersections, a setup Torrence Robinson, who works for the department, said the city wants to move beyond.
Robinson said the city is looking for a device that can reduce its reliance on blue lights to secure the area, the station reported. Major Ronnie Armstead of the Richmond Police Department said the bollards would reduce the number of vehicles officers have to manage, freeing them up for more flexibility to walk around Shockoe Bottom during weekends and special events with heavy foot traffic, per the same report.
Separate Public Works Proposal Targets East Franklin Street
A related but distinct proposal from the public works department would install removable bollards on a weekly basis along the blocks around East Franklin Street between North 17th and North 18th streets, according to Richmond BizSense. Those bollards would go in and come out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, with the goal of pedestrianizing the blocks, limiting vehicular traffic and deterring crime, the outlet reported.
Supporters describe the broader bollard effort as a potential game changer for Shockoe Bottom, saying it would create a safer area for visitors, residents and workers alike, the station noted. Juan Braxton, who serves as Shockoe Bottom's nightlife and business liaison, said the proposal shows the community and the city working together. He believes the bollards will help create a more welcoming environment in a district where businesses have pushed for years for better traffic control.
What Still Has to Happen Before Installation
Before the plan gets final sign-off, the Urban Design Committee wants an emergency access plan in place and a finalized design showing exactly what the bollards will look like, the station reported. If approved, the city hopes to install the bollards next spring.
Richmond's push for traffic control in the neighborhood comes against a backdrop of sobering citywide numbers. In 2025, 21 pedestrians were killed and more than 2,500 people were injured, according to the city's Vision Zero dashboard cited by Richmond Magazine. VCU Police's own analysis found that drivers disregarding highway signs was a more causative factor in pedestrian-related crashes than speeding, the magazine reported. During a related 90-day traffic enforcement push, VCU Police logged 1,943 traffic stops resulting in 1,760 summonses after doubling its traffic safety unit from two officers to four.
Earlier Safety Moves in Shockoe Bottom
The bollard discussion follows a string of other safety measures announced for the neighborhood this year. Richmond police shifted weekend staffing so that only First Precinct officers who work the area regularly and know it well would be assigned to secure Shockoe Bottom on weekends, according to WTVR CBS 6. Six new security cameras were also scheduled to go up throughout the neighborhood in June, and a mini-substation near Main Street Station was planned, with officers staffing it from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and into Sunday mornings, per WRIC ABC 8News.
How Other Cities Have Used Removable Barriers
Traffic bollards have also been associated with pedestrian safety in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.
