AGENDA DATE: 2/18/2026
TITLE:
Title
Rivanna River Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Planning Study - BUILD Application
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Seeking a Letter of Support from Albemarle County for the BUILD Grant Application for a Rivanna River Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Planning Study
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Barnes, McDermott, Swartzendruber
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (CA-MPO), staffed by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, has been working towards the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Rivanna River since 2019. This crossing would provide a vital multi-modal connection between the Pantops growth area in Albemarle County and the rest of the Charlottesville/Albemarle urbanized area. CA-MPO has completed multiple planning phases of the project in coordination with staff and elected officials from two local jurisdictions, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and community and public stakeholders.
The proposed bridge location is entirely within Albemarle County, but less than two-tenths of a mile from the City of Charlottesville boundary. On the west side of the river, the bridge landing would likely be located on privately developed property with an existing public use easement and facilitate a direct connection between the bridge landing and downtown Charlottesville via East Market Street and Broadway Street. On the east side of the river, the bridge landing would likely be located on public property owned by Albemarle County within the established Pantops development area. The project includes the construction of a shared use path from the eastern landing site through privately owned property, ending at the intersection of State Farm Boulevard and Peter Jefferson Parkway.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastr...
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