What are Roadway Reconfigurations?
Roadway reconfigurations have a role to play in the City of Harrisonburg's efforts toward safer roads and a more connected network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Roadway reconfiguration efforts seek to improve safety and operations on roads through modifying the use of the existing pavement to change the number and alignment of lanes. Most commonly, a road with two lanes in each direction is reconfigured to have one lane in each direction, a center turn lane, and bicycle lanes in each direction, along with necessitated storage lanes or additional turn lanes where needed (see image on right for example).
The Federal Highway Administration has shown this type of roadway reconfiguration to improve safety, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) encourages implementation of reconfigurations when appropriate. According to VDOT, at least 70 reconfigurations have been completed in Virginia. Here are examples of reconfigurations in Virginia.
Benefits of Road Reconfigurations may Include:
- Reduction of rear-end and left-turn crashes due to the dedicated left-turn lane.
- Reduced right-angle crashes as side street motorists cross three versus four travel lanes.
- Fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross.
- Opportunity to install pedestrian refuge islands, bicycle lanes, on-street parking, or transit stops.
- Speeds more consistent with the posted speed limit, making them safer.
- A more community-focused, Complete Streets environment that better accommodates the needs of all road users.
- A low-cost safety solution when planned alongside a simple pavement overlay.
Reconfiguration of a roadway will be considered if:
- Evaluation completed shows that the desired benefits may be achieved
- Operations at intersections are acceptable
- If the road’s capacity is greater than the projected traffic for the area, including growth assumptions, through study year 2040.
- If intersection delay is not increased beyond level of service D (35-55 seconds), through study year 2040. Level of service D is the approximate industry standard for acceptable amount of delay in cities with similar traffic conditions to Harrisonburg, and is the level of service goal currently cited in the City’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
In Harrisonburg, reconfiguration is being considered for multiple road corridors. The City’s goals for each reconfiguration are to decrease crashes and improve the safety and desirability of biking and walking on the corridor. 
Corridors Identified for Reconfigurations
Unless otherwise noted for a corridor, reconfiguration will be considered when the road is next repaved through the annual paving schedule. All reconfiguration concept diagrams are preliminary and subject to change. Information on specific corridors identified for reconfigurations is available on the Transportation Projects page.