Improvements were proposed based on the analyses performed for the 2024 existing volumes and the 2034 background volumes, community engagement with City residents, and ongoing collaboration with the Department of Public Works.
Three potential alignments between the Northend Greenway along Mount Clinton Pike and the Friendly City Trail in Westover Park were developed as part of this study. These three overall alignments, along with variations, are shown in Figure 22. Alignment A follows Mount Clinton Pike to College Avenue, then proceeds through the Quarry Heights property, and crosses W Market Street at a new crossing and follows the eastern boundary of Thomas Harrison Middle School to the Friendly City Trail at the rear of the school property. Alignment B follows Chicago Avenue to Waterman Drive, crosses W Market Street at the existing signalized intersection at Waterman Drive and through the Westover Park property to the Friendly City Trail. Alignment C connects Mount Clinton Pike to Woodleigh Court and jogs along Stuart Street Waterman Drive, and Chicago Avenue, then follows N Dogwood Drive to the signalized intersection at W Market Street, connecting to the Friendly City Trail through the Westover Park grounds. Proposed variations include utilizing Smith Avenue and Hillside Avenue with Alignment A or Willow Street with Alignment C.
These alignments demonstrate many options for connectivity in this area and can be combined in a variety of ways. Each alignment would provide a significant north-south connection for those biking and walking. Pursuing any or all of these alignments would not only provide improved access to the Northend Greenway and the Friendly City Trail, but other primary destinations such as Eastern Mennonite University, City public schools, commercial and retail services, and many nearby residences.
With the approved rezoning and special-use permit applications of the Quarry Heights property, the City may consider tying the alignment through the development, as conditions of approval included the completion of a shared-use path by the developer, from Waterman Drive to the development's frontage on W Market Street. Furthermore, funding and design of the Chicago Avenue corridor improvements should also be a consideration; if the timing of corridor improvements coincides well with establishing the connection, a variation of Alignment B would likely be appropriate.
The Chicago Avenue corridor should be improved with continuous bicycle-pedestrian facilities from Mt. Clinton Pike to Waterman Drive, including the existing substandard SB facility between Waterman Drive and Rockingham Drive. Improvements should continue along Waterman Drive and connect to the shared-use path to be included in the Quarry Heights development, with details of that connection to be determined in the future. Due to the presence of large concrete utility poles on the NB side of Chicago Avenue, the larger path facility is recommended for the SB portion of Chicago Avenue. This path will likely be asphalt, intended to serve as an off-road facility for both bicyclists and pedestrians. The path should feature grass buffers along the length, however, the path and buffer width may vary, or the buffer may be omitted in certain locations. This may be due to constraints such as the location of existing buildings.
The NB side of Chicago Avenue is recommended to be improved with a narrower facility to accommodate the large concrete utility poles that are adjacent to the roadway. As relocation of these
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