How High Costs Derailed Richmond’s Speed Limit Change

After voting to lower speed limits citywide, Richmond found itself with a $5.2 million bill for new signage, prompting the city council to pull the ordinance.

2 minute read

January 8, 2023, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Virginia

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

When the Richmond, Virginia city council voted to lower its default speed limit to 20 miles per hour in an effort to reduce the risk of death or severe injury in crashes involving pedestrians, they were told that the change would cost $5.2 million. 

As Wyatt Gordon explains in Greater Greater Washington, lowering speed limits is shown to vastly improve the chances of survival during a crash. “A person hit by a car traveling 30 mph is 70% more likely to be killed than if struck by a driver going 25 mph, for example. Assuming Richmonders one day follow a citywide 20 mph default speed limit, pedestrians would face a 93% chance of surviving any given crash in the River City.”

But Richmond city officials are interpreting the change to mean a new speed limit sign on every block, which drives up the cost of the project. As Amy Robins, council liaison for the 5th district, explained, “Our office couldn’t justify that amount spent on signs versus narrowing roads and adding bike lanes and raised crosswalks, so we pulled the ordinance.” The ordinance also would not have applied to state-owned streets that pass through Richmond.

“For now, Richmond residents can submit a request for a new speed limit sign on their streets as low as 15 mph via the RVA 311 app.” Out of 15 civic associations in the 5th District, 14 have already applied for lower speed limits, signaling a strong demand for safer streets. According to Gordon, “Del. Carr plans to introduce a bill to the General Assembly this month that would remove the need for costly individual block signage and traffic studies, and allow any Virginia locality to instead post default speed limit signs at its borders to notify drivers of the lower limit.”

Thursday, January 5, 2023 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

3 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

4 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

5 hours ago - Bloomberg