Aug. 15, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette:
This is a sincere letter of thanks for the recently completed redesign and construction of Main Street through Virginia Military Institute.
I am a long-time cyclist in Lexington and Rockbridge County and have experienced first-hand the tenuous and quite often dangerous cycling environment along Main Street before the rethinking of the priorities there. Even though during construction, the traffic was paused, the management of the situation was professional, safe and time sensitive. The end product of a wider pedestrian sidewalk, generous bike land and auto lane is a statement that states “Welcome cyclists – we are aware of your needs!”
Main Street is also the path of the 76 bike route, the coast-tocoast bike route from Yorktown to Astoria, Ore. First impressions go a long way in cyclists’memories!
In conclusion, many thanks to all the folks involved in the project. Know that your efforts will have long-term positive impact now and into the future.
JOHN C. FRIEDRICKS Lexington
