Alexandria City Council Sweepingly Approves Route 1 Change from Jefferson Davis to Richmond Highway

ALEXANDRIA, VA–On June 23, the Alexandria City Council voted 6-0 to approve an ordinance renaming Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway in Alexandria, effective January 1, 2019.  This action regarding a portion of U.S. Route 1 follows three years of extensive public input.

In 2015, City Council established an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Confederate Memorials and Street Names. Based on five public meetings and hearings and hundreds of in-person and written comments, the group recommended changing the name of Jefferson Davis Highway.  After a public hearing in 2016, City Council voted unanimously to direct the City Manager to begin the renaming process.

In 2017, the City Manager appointed an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Renaming Jefferson Davis Highway, to solicit public feedback and consider potential new names.  After holding a public hearing and conducting an online survey, this group unanimously recommended Richmond Highway as the new name. City Council adopted the recommendation following initial discussion on May 8, written notice to affected residents and businesses, and a final public hearing on June 23.

For more information on the renaming, visit alexandriava.gov/JeffersonDavisHighway.