Route 1 Officially Renamed Richmond Highway In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—As of Jan. 1, 2019, Jefferson Davis Highway has been renamed to Richmond Highway in Alexandria.

City Council voted last June to adopt the Richmond Highway name, which is used in bordering Fairfax County. The change came after three years of public feedback. The City Council voted in favor of a name change in 2016 and set up an advisory panel to decide on the new name.

The group unanimously recommended the name Richmond Highway because it reflected history without being controversial, according to a city memo. A public survey previously revealed these top choices for the new name: Abraham Lincoln, Alexandria-Arlington, Barack Obama, Heather Heyer, Mildred and Richard Loving, Patrick Henry, Richmond and U.S. Route 1.

The advisory group did not want to rename the road for the slaveholding Patrick Henry but did not suggest changing the name of Patrick Street or Henry Street on the other portion of Route 1.

Signs reflecting the new name are now being displayed.

According to the city, street numbers have not changed—123 Jefferson Davis Highway becomes 123 Richmond Highway. Residents and businesses are asked to notify anyone sending mail or packages, which includes family and friends, employers, customers, vendors, subscriptions, financial institutions, and government agencies. They do not have to notify the U.S. Postal Service or City of Alexandria departments, or change property deeds.

Arlington County is seeking to change the Jefferson Davis Highway name as well. Unlike Alexandria, state law requires Arlington County to seek authority from the General Assembly to rename its portion of Route 1.

Image via Emily Leayman/Patch