If you’re a resident in or around Harrisonburg, it’s hard not to have an opinion on Port Republic Road. And this month, the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) wants to hear yours as they study safety issues and possible solutions on the section of the road between South Main Street and Devon Lane.
There is a public meeting scheduled Monday, March 11, 5-7 PM at Harrisonburg City Hall in the Council Chambers, and I encourage you to show up to make sure the MPO knows about your frustrations and thoughts on how issues could be resolved. Efficient design in this corridor, besides the obvious result – making a commute less of a headache – can also decrease neighborhood cut throughs, avoid calls for additional roadways that could threaten productive farmland, and increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and cars alike.
The MPO has outlined a three-pronged focus for their study:
Neighborhood Access
Business and I-81 access
Other safety issues
You can find our take on the study recommendations here and more info on the MPO’s website here. And make sure to check in on our Rockingham County page for updates as the study continues.