AGENDA DATE: 3/1/2023
TITLE:
Title
Free Bridge Lane Conceptual Design Alternatives
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Requesting Support for a Free Bridge Lane Promenade Pilot Program
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Filardo, McDermott, Hersh-Ballering
PRESENTER (S): Hersh-Ballering
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. Along the west side of the roadway, there is a degraded, narrow shared use path. There is a future Albemarle County park site on the east side of the roadway. 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.
Community Development staff have engaged consultant services to develop a conceptual design for improvements to Free Bridge Lane that are consistent with the Pantops Master Plan. As a preliminary step, the consultants prepared two design proposals. One design proposal features one-way (southbound) vehicle traffic, a contraflow bike lane, and a dedicated pedestrian walkway; the other proposal closes the roadway to motor vehicles and features a wide promenade open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Transportation planning staff presented these two design proposals to the public at the Pantops Community Advisory Committee on January 23, 2023. Those in attendance at that meeting spoke largely in favor of the promenade design. Parks & Recreation staff, who have been involved in the Free Bridge Lane project as stakeholders, are also optimistic about the promenade design.
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