Fredericksburg To Add Crosswalks, Parking Spots To William Street

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The city of Fredericksburg plans to make changes to the William Street corridor once the street's current resurfacing project is completed. The city will be adding two pedestrian crossings and on-street parking spaces to William Street along the part of the street that goes through the College Heights neighborhood.

The plan includes lowering the speed limit on William Street from 35 mph to 25 mph. One painted crosswalk will be located at Stafford Avenue/Adams Street and the other will be at Daniel Street. Twenty-five on-street parking spaces will be added on the west side of William Street.

Fredericksburg's traffic staff has been considering options to improve safety on William Street, including making it easier for pedestrians to cross the street, the city said.

At one time, William Street functioned as a major east-west roadway. The Blue and Gray Parkway has since pulled away a significant amount of traffic from William Street.

Parking has also been an issue for many years. A more efficient use of the available pavement between existing curbs can provide more parking as well as calm traffic speeds, the city said.

"These changes will provide pedestrian safety benefits as well as additional parking, without compromising the function of the roadway," the city said Friday in a news release.

All work will occur during daylight hours. The city expects the new pavement markings on William Street between the Blue and Gray Parkway and College Avenue will be finished by the end of August. The lower speed limit also is scheduled to take effect at the end of the month.