Riverwalk Greenway - EB-5547A and EB-5547B – Project Update
This project is now identified in the North Carolina State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) as two projects, EB-5547A and EB-5547B. The project was previously known as the Riverwalk Greenway, but the project name was changed due to the inability to secure easements and being unable to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
The purpose of the project is to improve the east to west connectivity in town and provide a safe means for traveling by bike or foot. When the project is complete, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to travel from East Cotton Avenue/Village Parkway to Veteran’s Park with continuous sidewalk as well as bicycle improvements. The completed corridor will be nearly two miles in length.
The Town will continue contracting with Michael Baker International on this project and is excited to welcome a new project manager from the firm who has decades of experience completing projects of this nature. Additionally, the Town’s Project Manager will work in conjunction with Michael Baker International staff to oversee the project progress.
The project includes three distinct sections. In total, the three sections represent more than $4 million in bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Section 1: From Flat Creek Greenway to intersection of Sutton Avenue and Broadway Avenue. This section is funded with only local dollars. The estimate budget is $175,000.
This section will include a new sidewalk on Charlotte Street. This will provide a complete pedestrian network. The sidewalk is currently being designed and construction is expected to be completed before June 30, 2023.
Sharrows will be painted along Ridgeway, First Street, Midland Avenue, Richardson Blvd, and Sutton Avenue. The town expects these will be installed before June 30, 2023. The second improvement to this section will be included in the FY23-24 budget. It includes improvements to the intersection of Midland Avenue and East State Street.
Section 2: From the intersection of Sutton Avenue and Broadway Ave/NC 9. The estimated budget is $1,850,000.
This section includes 80% federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration. This funding is funneled through the NCDOT and allocated to the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization.
This section incorporates significant improvements to the intersection, bicycle lanes on NC 9 to Vance Avenue and Black Mountain Avenue.
Section 3: From Black Mountain Avenue to In the Oaks Trail. The estimated budget is $1,782,000.
This section also includes 80% federal funding as described above.
Moving west, the project will utilize existing sidewalks, minor sidewalk connections, sharrows on Terry Estates Drive, and a separated multiuse path at the western most section where it will connect with the existing In the Oaks greenway.
