City announces $30 million investment in road paving, $2 million in sidewalk improvements in FY2021 budget

Mayor Levar Stoney announced Wednesday that his FY2021 budget will include $32 million for the paving of roads and maintenance and placement of sidewalks.

The mayor’s FY2020 budget, which Richmond City Council passed last May, invested $15 million in paving roads and $1.2 million in sidewalk maintenance and placement, totaling a historic $16.2 million.

This proposed FY2021 budget doubles the investment in paving roads. Of the proposed $30 million investment, $15 million will come out of the city’s coffers, and $15 million from state revenue generated and reinvested in the region by the creation of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority through the passage of HB 1541. Only $2 million would be earmarked for sidewalks; the rest would go to asphalt paving projects.

“Last year’s historic investment, and this year’s record commitment to double our efforts to pave more roads and improve our network of sidewalks, is a major step toward meeting our $100 million in city infrastructure needs after years of deferred maintenance,” said Mayor Stoney, speaking Wednesday at the intersection of 31^st and U Streets in the Church Hill North neighborhood.

“We are committed to doing the basic blocking and tackling of city government, and these investments underscore our commitment to improving the quality of life for all our residents and making Richmond the best place to live, work, and play.”