The County Board voted unanimously Thursday, April 25 to approve a resolution asking that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), rename the 2.56-mile portion of Jefferson Davis Highway that lies within the County’s borders as “Richmond Highway.”
The move comes after the City of Alexandria changed the name of the roadway within its borders, effective Jan. 1, 2019.
“Arlington has long sought to rename the stretch of Jefferson Davis Highway that runs through our county,” County Board Chair Christian Dorsey said. “For several years, we have included renaming the highway within our boundaries in our state Legislative Package. We participated in Alexandria’s ad hoc commission that recommended in 2018 that the City rename its portion of the highway ‘Richmond Highway.’ We said then we hoped to be able to soon follow suit.
“Renaming our portion of the highway will make it easier for drivers heading from Fairfax County through the City of Alexandria and then Arlington should be traveling on a highway that bears one name,” he said. Dorsey noted that, should the CTB elect to rename the roadway “Richmond Boulevard,” the county would also welcome that name.
In its resolution, the board said that if the CTB approves the name change at its May meeting, it would take effect no later than Oct. 1, 2019. Arlington would pay for the new street signs (estimated to cost about $17,000). No street numbers will be changed, and the United States Postal Service will, in perpetuity, continue to deliver mail to the businesses and residences along the highway addressed to Jefferson Davis Highway.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.