By Charlie Stone

Many of Collegiate’s students, faculty, and families have noticed a new disruption for those coming to school via Derbyshire Road. In time for the new school year, a traffic circle has been added at the in

tersection between Derbyshire Road and Lakewater Drive. While disruptive, the circle’s placement is “part of a larger project to enhance safety, access, and connectivity in the area,” according to the Henrico County Government website. In addition to the circle, crosswalks and improved sidewalks in surrounding areas have been added for safer walking conditions for families. 

One explanation for the addition of the circle is that walking will become more favorable for families in the neighborhood. Proximity to Maybeury Elementary School and the Avalon Recreation Association means plenty of foot traffic around the neighborhood, increasing the need for sidewalks and support for pedestrians. 

The project came into place May 2023, when, as the Henrico County Government website states, they began researching the area and interviewing residents.

Responses from locals were positive, and studies showed a need for improvements to pedestrian and driver safety. Henrico County began construction in early August 2024. Considering incidents with drivers in recent years, the position of the roundabout is no accident. It sits in the best position to maintain safe speeds throughout the tough corner on Derbyshire. The circle prompts drivers to slow down in a potentially dangerous spot. 

However, the traffic circle has drawbacks, which are a concern for those who frequent Derbyshire. Some students are concerned about the traffic delays in the mornings because of a further backing up of cars onto Derbyshire around the circle. Some students have found that some drivers rarely yield when entering the circle. Baylor Ruth (‘25) dislikes the addition and stated how “it’s more dangerous now, since people rarely yield and look for other cars when going into the circle.” 

Many of Collegiate’s carpoolers and drivers use Derbyshire daily, so the school community is affected by the circle. Collegiate’s Upper School Director of Student Life Beth Kondorossy has a personal connection to that section of road. She has witnessed “people crash while driving too fast around that corner,” including a woman whom Kondorossy helped from her damaged car recently. Kondorossy “assumes the idea is to slow people down, which is good,” based on what she has experienced. Collegiate’s Upper School Dean of Students and traffic czar Mark Palyo dislikes the circle. He finds it “unsafe, as it’s too narrow and really small, and the crosswalk makes the turn more challenging” for most drivers and cars. 

In the future, Henrico County works hopes to add a left turn lane to Derbyshire where it intersects with North Mooreland. The Henrico Government website writes that “The other potential improvements remain under design and include a paved shared-use path on the north side of Derbyshire, additional pedestrian crossings, modifications to the sharp curve near Gunby Dr., and addition of a left turn lane at N. Mooreland Rd.” These projects aim to alleviate traffic congestion during Collegiate’s carpool hours and help reduce the time it takes drivers to get to school. More pedestrian-friendly plans have been proposed by the county, such as adding a paved bike lane and walkway along Derbyshire to encourage pedestrians to walk and give bikers a safer way to ride without disrupting traffic. New crosswalks with flashing lights will likely be installed in the future as well, to further improve safety for families. 

All photos by Charlie Stone.