Existing conditions and historical count data were assessed to determine suitable alignments for a bicycle and pedestrian connection between the Northend Greenway along Mt. Clinton Pike and the Friendly City Trail at Westover Park to the south.
With their Comprehensive Plan (2018, amended 2022) and Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan (2017), the City of Harrisonburg has formally incorporated multimodal transportation goals into their City plans.
The Comprehensive Plan seeks to serve all modes of traveling. The Plan acknowledges that although the Downtown area has established pedestrian infrastructure, network improvements to the surrounding area should be pursued to connect new walking and cycling facilities. Chicago Avenue, and the Chicago Avenue & Waterman Drive intersection are specifically identified within the Street Improvement Plan (SIP). The SIP identifies locations with safety, congestion, operational, bicycle-pedestrian, and land use needs. For Chicago Avenue, the SIP describes a need to address safety, congestion mitigation or alternative routes, and bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure; the SIP suggests widening Chicago Avenue to three lanes with sidewalk on one side and a shared-use path on the other side, from Mt Clinton Pike to West Gay Street. For Chicago Avenue & Waterman Drive, the SIP specifies a safety issue, with the recommendation to construct a roundabout.
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan provides a focused analysis on and priorities for improving active transportation in the City. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan describes that the ability to walk and bike increases quality of life, expands commuting choices and recreational activities, provides a sense of community and place, and encourages independence for both younger and older residents, those with disabilities, and other individuals that do not drive. Furthermore, bicycle tourism is a major economic driver for the Central Shenandoah Valley. Through the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, a prioritization methodology was applied, following data collection, community and stakeholder engagement, and connectivity and equity analysis.
Identified priorities for pedestrian segments that may be applicable to this corridor study are as follows (order of priority):
Chicago Avenue (from Mt Clinton Pike to Rockingham Drive)
Mt Clinton Pike (from College Avenue to Virginia Avenue) – recently completed
Hillside Avenue (from Greystone Street to its terminus)
S Dogwood Drive (from W Market Street to Hidden Creek Lane)
Waterman Drive (from Chicago Avenue to W Market Street)
Greystone Street (from Smith Avenue to Chicago Avenue)
3rd Street (from Stuart Street to N Dogwood Drive)
Smith Avenue (from existing sidewalk to Mt Clinton Pike)
Greystone Street (entire length)
Shenandoah Street (from College Avenue to Chicago Avenue)
Stuart Street (from Taliaferro Drive to 3rd Street)
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