Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Port Republic Road construction change your commute through Harrisonburg?

And check out Business After Hours | New Creation VA on the Harrisonburg Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
Wednesday September 16th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Harrisonburg! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Port Republic Road construction change your commute through Harrisonburg?
  • Could Harrisonburg finally get its own passenger train service?
  • How will the Route 11 widening change your drive near Harrisonburg?

Also on today's calendar: Sustainability Success Stories and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Thursday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, temps: high: 85, low: 66.
  • Friday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 81 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Two-year Port Republic Road construction project now underway (whsv.com) — A major two-year construction project has begun on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg, affecting drivers and pedestrians traveling between campus, I-81, and nearby neighborhoods. City officials say the work, running through August 2028, will add bike and pedestrian features and improve safety and congestion, especially during peak hours. Expect work zones, slower traffic, and changing patterns along this busy corridor.
   

2. Passenger rail campaign gathers steam in Harrisonburg (wvtf.org) — Harrisonburg leaders are backing a push to bring passenger rail service directly to the city, which could eventually give residents new train options across Virginia and beyond. City Council unanimously agreed to support the effort in a letter to the state, while advocates collect petition signatures through September 21 to be included in Virginia's long-range Statewide Rail Plan.
   

3. Route 11 widening project underway in Rockingham County; nearby business shares concern (whsv.com) — A long-term Route 11 widening project just south of Harrisonburg is underway, bringing lane closures on South Valley Pike weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and changing access to nearby businesses. The $18.3 million project will expand the road to four lanes, add turn lanes, upgrade signals, and create bike-friendly shoulders, with completion targeted for August 2028, weather permitting.
   

4. Harry Bosworth Jr. (sovanow.com) — Family and friends in Harrisonburg are mourning Harry Bosworth Jr., a longtime Virginia State Police Master Trooper and U.S. Army veteran who died at 96. With daughters and grandchildren in Harrisonburg and Danville, his life of public service will be honored at a memorial service in Halifax on Sept. 19, with visitation an hour beforehand.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Was at dollar tree on east market .
    There was a lady buying cards( 49.00 worth) for a nursing home for people that can't get out the nursing home to send to family members . I never … (Nextdoor Smithland Rd)
  • JOIN DWR ON SEPTEMBER 29 TO REVIEW THE LAKE SHENANDOAH DAM REPLACEMENT PLAN
    Thanks to additional state funding, plans to renovate Lake Shenandoah Dam are moving forward. On Sept. 29, the public is invited to join leadership… (Nextdoor )
  • AtWork posted a job opening for Bilingual Legal Receptionist in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
  • IICRC posted a job opening for Dispatch Coordinator in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

Ok Harrisonburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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