Creating plans and conducting studies ensures that transportation projects and operational improvements are completed to facilitate safe and efficient travel within the City. Below is an overview of current Plans and Studies, with links to webpages that contain more information about each. Information about funded projects is available on the Transportation Projects webpage.

Unless otherwise noted, questions can be direct to Public Works staff at 540-434-5928 or publicworks@harrisonburgva.gov

City of Harrisonburg Public Works Department Title VI Program Plan  [699KB]

Plans:

ADA Transition Plan

The City of Harrisonburg has adopted an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Transition Plan for the public right-of-way (streets and accompanying mobility infrastructure) to document current accessibility deficiencies and establish policies and procedures to make transportation facilities in Harrisonburg accessible to all, regardless of ability, over time. This plan covers public pedestrian infrastructure types including walkways (sidewalks and shared use paths), intersections (curb ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian signals), on-street parking, bus stops, and work zones. Note the plan does not cover City properties, buildings, programs, or services that are outside of the public right-of-way (such as transit service and parks). 

ADA Transition Plan Documents

ADA Transition Plan  [2MB]

Questions, suggestions, or to express a concern regarding ADA accommodations in the public right-of-way, you must submit a Notice of Concern [527KB] to Tom Hartman, Public Works Director at Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov or by dropping the Notice of Concern off at the Public Works Department, 320 East Mosby Road. You may call the Public Works Department at 540-434-5928 and verbally relay the information requested on the form, if needed. 

Grievance Procedure

If you are not satisfied with the response received by the Public Works Department, you may follow the Grievance Procedure.  [128KB]

To discuss ADA accommodations regarding public transit, please contact the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation at 540-434-0492. For all other city facilities, programs, and services, contact Amy Snider, Deputy City Manager at 540-434-7701 or email Amy.Snider@harrisonburgva.gov.

Visual Aids Used for March 14, 2024 Public Open House

Street Improvement Plan, Harrisonburg Comprehensive Plan - adopted in 2018, amended in 2022

The City of Harrisonburg Comprehensive Plan contains the City's Street Improvement Plan, which identifies transportation and infrastructure improvements that the City may pursue to address safety, congestion, bicycle and pedestrian needs, and new development.  The Comprehensive Plan presents a vision of what kind of community the City would like to be in the future and identifies steps to move toward that vision.  For more information, view the Plan webpage - the Street Improvement Plan is in Chapter 12.

Harrisonburg Downtown 2040 Plan - adopted in 2022

The City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) collaborated on Harrisonburg Downtown 2040, a community-driven plan for Downtown Harrisonburg.  View the final plan. [11.56 MB]

Harrisonburg Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - reviewed and adopted annually

The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) is a multi-year production and scheduling of capital projects of $50,000 or greater with and appropriate financing plan to fund these projects. Harrisonburg's CIP is prepared annually in an effort to facilitate planning and setting priorities among capital improvement needs over a subsequent five-year period.  The CIP is designed to identify projects for all city departments for which funding has already been committed or is being sought for some time within the five-year planning period.  For more information, view the CIP webpage.

Harrisonburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan - adopted in 2017

Harrisonburg's Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan provides a framework for enhancing the safety and attractiveness of walking and biking through on- and off-street improvements and public programs. The current Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan was adopted by City Council in April 2017.

2017 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan

City Council adopted the updated Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan in April 2017. Review the current plan below:

[25KB] Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

[23MB] Bicycle and Pedestrian Appendix

2016 Update Schedule

  • March 23, 2015 - Project kick off at Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee meeting.
  • May 19, 2015/ June 2015 - Public Workshop & public comment period
  • Fall 2015 - Stakeholder Focus Group meetings
  • Plan Draft Development
  • Fall 2016 - Public Meeting/ Open House and Public Comment Period
  • Public Adoption Process
  • March 8, 2017 - Draft Plan presented to Planning Commission
  • Spring 2017 - Anticipated adoption by City Council

 

2017 Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 

[18MB] Bicycle and Pedestrian Draft Plan Part 1

[19MB] Bicycle and Pedestrian Draft Plan Part 2

[23MB] Bicycle and Pedestrian Draft Appendix

[300KB] Public Comments

      

Public Comment Period on the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan:  November 16 to December 16, 2016

The public is invited to review and submit comments on the City’s draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.  The plan is available for download, below.  A hard copy is also available for review at the Public Works office located at 320 E. Mosby Road.

[340KB] Public Comment Form

 

November 16, 2016 - Public Meeting/Open House and Public Comment Period

A Harrisonburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Public Meeting will be hosted on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Keister Elementary School cafeteria (100 Maryland Ave, Harrisonburg). This will be an open house style public meeting.

 

Fall 2015 Focus Group Meeting Summaries

[196KB] Safe Routes to School, Youth & Families

[291KB] Transportation-Disadvantaged, Traditionally-Underserved

[239KB] Institutions: Higher Education & Retirement Communities

[241KB] Business & Economic Vitality

[249KB] Housing Providers: Real Estate, Development & Property Management

 

July 28, 2015 Presentation to City Council

Watch video of presentation

[334KB] Memorandum: Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update

[440KB] Powerpoint Presentation slides

 

May 19, 2015 Workshop Summary & Information Gathering Public Comment Period

[1MB] Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Public Workshop Summary 

[18MB] Public Workshop Map Comments

[340KB] Public Comments

[11MB] Infrastructure Summary Map based on Workshop and Public Comments

 

May 19, 2015 Public Workshop

A Harrisonburg Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Public Workshop was hosted on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Thomas Harrison Middle School, and a public comment period was open through June 17, 2015.

[187KB] Comment Form. You may print and mark up the city maps below to help explain your ideas.

[590KB] Workshop Flyer 8.5"x11"    [574KB] Workshop Flyer 4.25"x5.5" (4 quarter sheet sizes on 8.5x11)

Additional Information:

  • City Biking and Walking webpage - Learn more about walking and biking paths in the city, current transportation projects, Annual Harrisonburg & Rockingham Bike-Walk Summit, design standards and guidelines, City Council adopted plans, and more.

 

Questions? Contact Jakob zumFelde, Public Works Department at 540-434-5928 or jakob.zumfelde@harrisonburgva.gov.

Harrisonburg Downtown Streetscape Plan - adopted in 2014

The Downtown Streetscape Plan's overall goal is: "To present an easily communicable, comprehensive vision for the public streetscape in Downtown Harrisonburg that can be utilized by public and private agencies to further develop and sustain a vibrant downtown." 

The Plan adopted by City Council in July 2014. 

[35MB] Harrisonburg Downtown Streetscape Plan, 2014

Note: The Downtown Streetscape Plan is a comprehensive plan and vision, not to be confused with the Downtown Streetscape Projects that are the construction and infrastructure enhancements throughout the downtown area.  

Specific objectives outlined in the Downtown Streetscape Plan:

  1. Develop a comprehensive vision for the public right-of-way within the study area that defines public and private expectations for project elements during development and redevelopment of properties.
  2. Provide a plan for safe and efficient pedestrian and bicycle accommodations that enhance the public streetscape and related public spaces.
  3. Expand parking opportunities in coordination with streetscape enhancements to support future downtown business, residential housing, and visitor needs.
  4. Enhance public transportation facilities to accommodate citizens and visitors in coordination with streetscape improvements.
  5. Develop a plan for public services in the downtown area that addresses the changing needs of businesses.
  6. Plan for necessary improvements to public and private utility infrastructure so that it does not impede or encumber streetscape improvements.
  7. Partner with property owners and community stakeholders to provide opportunities for development or redevelopment of public and private downtown properties that could enhance the public streetscape.
  8. Consider expansion of recreational and green space opportunities downtown that coordinate with public streetscape improvements.
  9. Enhance the visual character of the downtown streetscape. 

Archives:

[10MB] Harrisonburg Downtown Streetscape Plan, 2005

Harrisonburg Rockingham MPO Long Range Transportation Plan - adopted in 2023

The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) was established in 2003 and is the regional transportation planning organization that provides support for multimodal transportation projects in the City of Harrisonburg, the Towns of Bridgewater, Dayton, and Mt. Crawford, and the surrounding portions of Rockingham County.  The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a comprehensive examination of the future transportation needs within the MPO boundaries. For more information, view the Plan webpage

 

Studies:

Port Republic Road Study (Project Pipeline) - underway

The focus of this study is to assess crashes on Port Republic Road at the I-81 Exit 245 interchange and identify safety improvements. Along with safety and operational improvements for drivers, infrastructure for people walking, biking, and using transit will be evaluated and improvements recommended. For more information, view the study webpage.

Northend Greenway Monroe to Noll - underway

This study evaluates opportunities to create bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure from the existing Northend Greenway at Monroe Street to Downtown Harrisonburg. An alignment for the path along the stream and other alternatives will be evaluated to identify a preferred concept for which the City can seek funding for construction. 

This project will add to the overall Northend Greenway Project. 

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house on Thursday, September 5 at the The Loft at Liberty Street Mercantile, 76 West Gay Street, Harrisonburg.

The Northend Greenway Monroe to Noll Questionnaire closed October 5, 2024. Survey summary will be posted soon.

Open House Diagrams

Project Schedule:

Study & Public Outreach - 2024

Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive Corridors Study - underway

This study evaluates the transportation and stormwater needs along Chicago Avenue between Rockingham Drive and Mt. Clinton Pike, and along Waterman Drive between W. Market Street and Chicago Avenue. Multiple alternatives will be evaluated to address needs for people walking and biking, alongside consideration of improvements on parallel routes used by people walking and biking. Safety and operational improvements at intersections will be evaluated for all roadway users. The study will identify a preferred concept for transportation improvements, for which the City can seek funding for construction. The study will also identify preferred stormwater measures that address existing challenges and work alongside proposed transportation improvements. 

En Español - El estudio está evaluando las necesidades en materia de transporte y red pluvial en Chicago Avenue, entre Rockingham Drive y Mount Clinton Pike, y en Waterman Drive, West Market Street y Chicago Avenue. Se están evaluando varias alternativas para abordar las necesidades de la gente que camina o anda en bicicleta por estas calles y también se están contemplando ciertas mejoras en las calles paralelas que utilizan estas mismas personas. Se están evaluando las mejoras de seguridad y funcionamiento a realizar en los cruces para quienes utilicen la calzada. El estudio también evaluará la posibilidad de mejorar la infraestructura de la red pluvial de Waterman Drive para llevar el agua de manera que se disminuya la frecuencia y la gravedad de las inundaciones.

Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive Corridors Study Open House

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house on Tuesday, October 15 at the Price Rotary Senior Center, 309 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house to discuss with the community their experiences, thoughts, and questions.

Open House Invitation Letter (English & Español) [176KB]

Public Questionnaire:

A questionnaire was available to collect public thoughts/questions until November 12, 2024. 

Written or oral questions and comments may be submitted to Brittany Clem-Hott by emailing brittany.clem-hott@harrisonburgva.gov or calling 540-434-5928.

Puede enviar sus comentarios o preguntas, en forma oral o escrita, a brittany.clem-hott@harrisonburgva.gov o llamar al 540-434-5928, antes o después de la jornada de puertas abiertas.

Open House Diagrams:

Transportation Diagrams

Stormwater Conceptual Diagrams

Project Schedule: 

Study and Public Outreach 2024

East Market Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way - underway

This study evaluates the bicycle and pedestrian needs along Martin Luther King Jr. Way between E. Market Street and Reservoir Street, and along E. Market Street between MLK Jr. Way and Carlton Street. The study seeks to identify appropriate infrastructure to improve access for people who will walk or bike to the shared use path currently under construction on E. Market Street from MLK Jr. Way to Burgess Road. The study will identify a preferred concept for improvements, for which the City can seek funding for construction.

Roadway Reconfiguration Studies – completed in 2022

Studies have been completed to evaluate existing and future conditions and the potential for reconfiguration of lanes to improve safety for people walking, biking, and driving on multiple corridors in the City. For more information on road reconfigurations and the corridors where they have been evaluated or are being considered, view this webpage.

South Main Street Study (Project Pipeline) – completed in 2022

The focus of this study is to assess historical crashes on South Main Street, between Mosby Road and Pleasant Valley Road, and identify safety improvements. Additionally, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure will be evaluated and solutions recommended where appropriate. For more information, view the study webpage.

Intersection Safety Study (STARS) – completed in 2022

This study involves a safety-focused analysis of ten intersections located on various roadways within the City of Harrisonburg to develop short- and long-term solutions for mitigating crashes. All of the intersections are identified in VDOT’s Potential for Safety Improvement (PSI) rankings for the Staunton District, which lists intersections and road segments having a higher than expected number of crashes. Nine of the intersections are located in Downtown Harrisonburg, which is identified as a hot spot in the VDOT Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. 

Port Republic Rd and Bluestone Dr/Hillside Ave Intersection Study - completed in 2021

The 2019 Port Republic Road corridor study proposed a bicycle and pedestrian bridge at this intersection. The bridge was proposed to improve operations on the corridor while improving safety for people walking and biking at that intersection. This intersection-specific study evaluated the bridge concepts and an alternative concept to change the intersection. Information about the potential changes was provided, with public input requested, in March 2021.

Corridor Signal Timing Optimization Program - completed in 2021

This effort will update signal timing and coordination at 33 intersections across four major corridors throughout the city in order to increase safety and efficiency on these corridors. The corridors are: US 11/South Main Street from Mosby Road to Martin Luther King Jr. Way, US 33/East Market Street from Vine Street/Hawkins Street to Chestnut Ridge Drive, Route 42/South Hight Street from Erickson Avenue to 3rd Street, Route 253/Port Republic Road from Bluestone Drive/Hillside Avenue to Neff Avenue/Peach Grove Avenue.  

South Main Street corridor, Erickson Avenue, and Pear Street intersection Study - completed in 2020

South Main Street (Route 11) is a major arterial route with observed operational issues at the intersection of Erickson Avenue/Stone Spring Road, which has several major left turning movements, as well as existing safety concerns on the corridor extending to the south.  The City of Harrisonburg has also established through a land development traffic study that there will be future operational and safety issues at the intersection of Erickson Avenue and Pear Street that may not be adequately resolved with signalization.  The City has developed a preliminary concept for an innovative intersection treatment that will be refined and advanced.  

The purpose of this VDOT Strategically Targeted and Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) project is two-fold.  First, it will evaluate operational and safety conditions and identify short- and long-term improvements that can be programmed into the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for a segment of South Main Street from Mosby Road to Stone Spring Road/Erickson Avenue.  Second, it will evaluate and perform preliminary design work for the conceptual treatment developed by the City of Harrisonburg for the Erickson Avenue and Pear Street intersection.  The South Main Street alternatives evaluation will consider operational and safety improvements through geometric design, access management improvements, lane utilization/repurposing and innovative intersection or interchange configurations.  Advancement of work on the intersection of Erickson Avenue and Pear Street will include an assessment of the function and feasibility of the conceptual treatment, analysis of beneficial modification to this concept, and preliminary design plan development.

Questions may be directed to Jakob zumFelde at 540-434-5928 or by email, Jakob.zumFelde@harrisonburgva.gov

Downtown Harrisonburg Operations Study - completed in 2020

Main Street and Liberty Street are important corridors in downtown Harrisonburg and provide access to downtown businesses.  Public and private stakeholders have identified the possibility of reconfiguring these roadways to create corridors that are more accessible by a variety of transportation modes and better match the character of a thriving downtown.  This study will evaluate the traffic impacts of three potential future scenarios.  

  1. Reducing Main Street from two travel lanes to one
  2. Reducing Liberty Street from two travel lanes to one
  3. Reducing Main Street and Liberty Street from two through travel lanes to one each 

To evaluate the impacts of these scenarios on traffic performance measures, the study consultant developed current and future year (2030) traffic models for over 30 downtown intersections, tested land reconfiguration concepts in the future model (2030) and developed three traffic impact mitigation recommendations.  

The study area and intersections are shown below. 

For more information, view the final report. [28MB]

Questions: Contact Mr. Tom Hartman, PE, Director of Public works at Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov or 540-434-5928.

Downtown Parking Study - completed in 2020

A holistic approach to parking management is needed for downtown, the city's compact central mixed-use district.  The last downtown parking study was conducted in 2009.  Parking needs have changed since then due to growth in this area of the city.  The robust data collection, analysis, and public vetting of solutions to be conducted by this study will ensure that the new plan serves downtown parking needs for the next 10 years.  Additionally, the study will become a chapter of the Downtown Master Plan.  

The study includes information about existing parking supply and usage, as well as short- and long-term supply and demand forecasts for parking in the downtown area. The study recommends strategies to better utilize the existing inventory of parking in the downtown area, as well as strategies to increase the inventory to meet the projected demand over time. Travel mode trends were considered in the demand projections. The user experience between parking locations and destinations were also considered. The study includes cost estimates and potential timeframes for implementation.

For more information, view the final report [6.7MB].

Past project steps:

Resident input - public survey: [290KB] August 2019 press release.

A Public Forum took place on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - The City of Harrisonburg, along with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and consultant group DESMAN, hosted a public forum focused on improving parking options in Downtown.

Downtown Parking Public Forums took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - The City of Harrisonburg presented potential changes to parking in the downtown area.

[14MB] Meeting Displays

[5MB] Meeting Presentation

Public survey regarding Study Recommendations:  January 2020 press release [487KB]

Any questions may be directed to Thomas Hartman, Public Works Director at 540-434-5928 or by email, Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov.

Port Republic Road Safety and Operations Study - completed in 2019

This study addresses operational and safety issues at multiple intersections along the Port Republic Road corridor between South Main Street and Devon Lane.  Port Republic Road is a major urban arterial, providing access to commercial and residential areas of the City of Harrisonburg as well as the primary entrance to The James Madison University (JMU) campus.  Increased growth and demand from all modes of transportation, combined with closely-spaced intersections and interchange ramps, create traffic congestion and safety issues that have an impact on regional travel conditions.  

The study conducted an operational and safety analysis of the corridor and tested the outcomes of specific treatments to determine the effectiveness.  The study provides decision makers and the public with recommendations supported by visualizations and measurable benefits to travelers including reduced travel times, improved level of service, and improved safety.  

The study area and intersections are shown below. 

For more information, view the final report [13MB] and appendices [14MB]

Questions? Contact Mr. Tom Hartman, PE, Director of Public Works, at Tom.Hartman@HarrisonburgVA.gov or 540-434-5928.

East Market Street (Route 33) Corridor Improvement Study - completed in 2018

The objective of the Virginia Department of Transportation's STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) Program is to develop comprehensive, innovative transportation solutions to relieve congestion bottleneck and solve critical traffic and safety challenges throughout the commonwealth.  The East Market Street, US Route 33, study corridor was identified as an important corridor with roughly 30 entrances per mile, 9 signalized intersections, over 150 acres of existing commercial development directly fronting the corridor and continued development in the area.  The study identified strategies to reduce crashes, maximize existing vehicular capacity, and make spot improvements on the corridor.  Consideration was given to the likelihood that recommended improvement would compete favorably for transportation funding.

In this study, existing safety and traffic operational issues in the project area were identified and reviewed with the goal of developing improvements to maximize vehicular mobility through minimizing congestion and delay, reducing crashes, and improving management.  In addition to these general improvement objectives, the study proposes improvement alternatives for 2025 conditions by addressing operational enhancements and capital improvement projects in the project study area. One area of focus was the proposed extension of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from its current terminus at US Route 33 to a new intersection with Country Club Road, as recommended for improving access management, including the configuration of uncontrolled crossovers and the impact of commercial entrances on safety and capacity.

The study roadways and intersections are shown below.

For more information, view the final report [13MB].

Questions? Contact Tom Hartman, PE, Director of Public Works at Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov or 540-434-5928.

Chicago Avenue Corridor Study - completed in 2013

The corridor study makes recommendations for traffic, engineering, and land use for the corridor, along with a series of conceptual engineering sketches that initiates further engineering design for future roadway improvements. 

The study completed in 2013 and is now outdated.

Related Pages
Public Works