AGENDA DATE: 9/2/2026
TITLE:
Title
Free Bridge Lane Discontinuance Resolution
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to request the discontinuance of Free Bridge Lane
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Svoboda, Tevendale, Barnes, McDermott, Swartzendruber, Karina-Plun
PRESENTER (S): Alberic Karina-Plun
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Free Bridge Lane is a low-volume, unstriped roadway that extends approximately one-half mile from Darden Towe Park to US 250. The 2019 Pantops Master Plan envisioned transitioning Free Bridge Lane from its current condition to a “Green Street” with enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and elements of stormwater management. Free Bridge Lane was prioritized in the Pantops Master Plan as a “catalyst” project.
In 2023, a feasibility study was conducted to assess creating a multiuse pedestrian trail along the western edge of Free Bridge Lane. Staff worked with consultants, other County departments, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), local stakeholder groups, and community members to develop a concept for closing Free Bridge Lane to vehicular traffic and turning it into a pedestrian promenade. A pilot project to determine the desirability of closing Free Bridge Lane to vehicular traffic was instituted on November 1, 2024, and ended in October 2025. VDOT conducted traffic volume counts of Free Bridge Lane in August 2024, prior to commencing the pilot project. The study counted pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles. A second traffic volume count was conducted in spring 2025, and the study found an increase in bicycle and pedestrian trips.
On August 6, 2025, the Board authorized the County Executive to petition VDOT to begin the discontinuance process for Free Bridge Lane. Staff worked with VDOT to determine the extent of the discontinuance. VDOT gave notice to abutting landowners and provided a public comment period for the discontinuance of Free Bridge Lane. The comment period ended on March 26, 2026. The next step is for the Board to adopt a resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to discontinue Free Bridge Lane.
A previous resolution was adopted at the April 15, 2026 Board meeting, but after further review, VDOT requested that we change the language of the extents of the discontinuance and re-adopt the resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life - Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: The request for discontinuance of Free Bridge Lane would be beginning 0.02 miles north of the intersection of Route 250 to the northern gate of the park area (entrance to the parking lot) but still maintain the County easement for public access. The total length of the discontinuance is 0.41 miles.
Discontinuance does not eliminate the road as a public road or render it unavailable for public use. The CTB may discontinue a roadway if it determines that the roadway no longer serves the public convenience, warranting its maintenance at public expense, and it divests VDOT from maintenance responsibilities. Once discontinued, the road remains a public road over which the County has exclusive jurisdiction. For Free Bridge Lane, staff recommends a discontinuance that will allow for public use to continue and a transfer of maintenance of the roadway from VDOT to the County. Virginia Code § 33.2-911 authorizes localities to adopt an ordinance to provide for the use of a discontinued road for the following purposes: hiking or bicycle trails and paths, as greenway corridors for resource protections, and as access to historic, cultural, and educational sites. If the CTB discontinues Free Bridge Lane, staff will return to the Board for consideration of adopting an ordinance to allow a portion of Free Bridge Lane to be closed to vehicular traffic and become a Green Street accessible to pedestrians and bicycles.
BUDGET IMPACT: The budget impact of Free Bridge Lane Promenade will slightly affect the Parks and Recreation Department as this area would be an enlargement of Darden Towe Park. Additionally, the County would take on the ownership and maintenance of the road, including a small segment of Free Bridge Lane that will continue to provide access to an existing business that is adjacent to Route 250
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution (Attachment A) requesting VDOT and the CTB to discontinue Free Bridge Lane and authorize the County Executive to sign any necessary documents regarding the request for discontinuance, once approved as to content and form by the County Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Free Bridge Lane Discontinuance Resolution