Alexandria Renames Jefferson Davis Highway

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Say "goodbye" to Jefferson Davis Highway and "hello" to Richmond Highway. Alexandria City Council members voted unanimously Saturday night to rename the controversial highway after three years of public feedback, according to media reports. It'll become effective Jan. 1.

The rebrand comes just days after J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School in Richmond changed its name from that of a Confederate general to the nation's first black president, Barack Obama.

A community task force recommended changing Jefferson Davis Highway, or U.S. Route 1, to Richmond Highway because that's what it's called in neighboring Fairfax County. The name change, essentially just an extension, will cost about $27,000.

The section of the road that splits into Patrick and Henry streets will not be renamed, The Washington Post reported.

In September, Patch reached out to readers for suggestions for the highway's new name. Social media users and Patch readers suggested everything from Abraham Lincoln to "Roady McRoadface."

Jefferson Davis Highway in Alexandria gets a name change. After a city council vote this afternoon, it will be called Richmond Highway. This has been years in the making. pic.twitter.com/yg4QikAfif
— Victoria Sanchez (@VictoriaSanchez) June 23, 2018

Photo credit: Emily Leayman