Using Cumberland is an interesting idea but that would likely just heavily jam up the stretch of Harrison between Cumberland and and Main, or Meadow between Parkwood and Main. It’s not an easy fix.

Here’s why: Parkwood (which Cumberland turns into west of Harrison) is single lane so people would default to heading to Main to either hit up any businesses on Main or as through traffic through the fan. The other option is to take Parkwood to Meadow. And anybody who uses Meadow regularly knows that turning left into Main can be impossible at times due to current traffic volumes and thus it would also jam up. If folks use Parkwood for through traffic, then the 4-way stop intersection at Randolph will likely become dangerous and they’ll need to install a raised crosswalk there to slow things down (only if less than 9,000 vehicles use that stretch) or they’ll need to put a light there. The alternative to taking Parkwood would be Main from Harrison, and you can go a lot faster on Main (which people undoubtedly do and will continue to do unless other traffic measures are implemented).

I’m also curious if Parkwood and Harrison can handle the trucks and increased car traffic that would be rerouted from Main. I think Parkwood could be a serious challenge due to the narrowness of the street, the bump out curbs at Harrison and Randolph, the curves after Fifth Baptist, and possibly the right turn onto Meadow. In fact, these factors are likely an issue for car traffic, as well. Parkwood was not engineered to handle a high volume of traffic and won’t be able to unless lots of changes are made. The side streets towards Cary and Main weren’t meant to handle a higher volume, either.

Edit: for clarity

Regardless of what happens, VCU needs to step up and engage with Richmond City to diligently work on this. I think a committee/task force made up of area residents and students should also be included to keep both governmental entities engaged and held accountable.