The following projects are primarily transportation-related, but may also serve recreation, economic development, stormwater management, and/or other needs. These projects may be in different stages of development such as planning, design, right-of-way, and construction and are subject to budget appropriations. The scheduled completion dates are tentative. Information about the plans and studies that guide project selection and implementation is available on the Transportation Planning webpage. 

Unless otherwise noted, questions can be directed to Public Works staff at 540-434-5928 or PublicWorks@HarrisonburgVa.gov

Funded Projects

Mount Clinton Pike Road Improvement Project - construction in progress

The Mt. Clinton Pike Improvements Project will improve safety for people walking, jogging, biking, and driving between Virginia Avenue (Route 42) and Park Road.  The project will extend the Northend Greenway by building a shared-use path along the north side of Mt. Clinton Pike.  Other aspects of the project include a left turn lane on Mt. Clinton Pike for turning onto Chicago Avenue and constructions of some segments of sidewalk on the south side of Mt. Clinton Pike.

Project Design Information

Project History

The project was initially intended to improve safety and accessibility by improving an offset intersection and adding separated bicycle and pedestrian accommodation.  In 2014, the General Assembly passed House Bill 2, which restructured the way the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) awards transportation funds to localities.  The legislative action significantly affected the Mount Clinton Pike Road Improvement project, which was well into the design phase of development at that time.  The City attempted multiple times, unsuccessfully, to obtain the remaining necessary funding to complete the project under the new funding rules.  Since it is significantly unlikely that construction funding can be obtained for the larger scope of the project, staff received VDOT approval to change the scope of the project to allow the City to use the balance of the previously-awarded (pre-2014) project development funds to complete a beneficial, but smaller, project.  

Project Schedule:

  • Preliminary Engineering and Public Involvement - Spring 2021
  • Right of Way/Utilities - 2021- 2022
  • Construction - 2023/24

Related Projects:

  • Chicago Avenue Corridor Study - completed in 2013, this study makes recommendations for traffic, engineering, and land use along Chicago Avenue, Mt. Clinton Pike, Park Road, and Parkwood Drive. This study is now outdated.
  • Northend Greenway - Shared use path project between Park View area and Downtown Harrisonburg.
East Market Street Improvements at I-81, Exit 247 - construction in progress

Multiple improvements are funded for the East Market Street corridor between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Burgess Rd/Linda Lane, including upgrades to the I-81 interchange (exit 247). For more information visit the project webpage.

Federal Street Block II – construction in progress

The project constructs a shared-use path on Federal Street between East Market Street and East Water Street. It replaces the posts that currently delineate the path with more permanent features that separate the path from the vehicle lane. 

To navigate the above image at a larger scale please view: Federal Street Shared Use Path Phase II   [6.54MB]

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2021-22

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2023

Construction – 2024

 

Federal Street Block I

This project reallocated space on Federal Street, between Elizabeth Street and Market Street, to construct a shared-use path that people bicycling and walking can use as an alternative to Liberty Street, Main Street, and Mason Street, where there are no separate facilities for bicycles.  The project made a 2-way local street in Downtown into a one-way street to provide the space for the separated bicycle and pedestrian path.  The block between Elizabeth Street and Market Street has become one-way northbound for vehicle traffic.  A conceptual diagram of the proposed improvements, as identified in the Downtown Streetscape Plan, is shown below.  This project received funding through the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program.

Project Schedule:

Between Elizabeth Street and Market Street

Preliminary Engineering - 2019

Construction - 2020

The Federal Street shared use path is planned to connect the Northend Greenway to the Bluestone Trail by way of downtown, to eventually provide a seamless, dedicated north/south bicycle and pedestrian route.  More information can be found in the Bicycle Pedestrian Plan and the Downtown Streetscape Plan.  

Country Club Road Sidewalk - construction in 2025

Sidewalk will be constructed on the south side of Country Club Road between Linda Lane and Spotswood Homes mobile home park. A signalized crosswalk will be installed

 at Linda Lane to provide a safe route for walking from this neighborhood to destinations including Smithland Elementary School and Skyline Middle School. Funded through the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program. 

A Public Hearing was held Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the City Council Meeting located at 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, where citizens were able to offer their thoughts on the project to the City Council and City staff.

The project will include adding a new five foot (5') sidewalk along the west side of Country Club Road between Spotswood Trailer Park and Linda Lane. This project is funded by a VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

Public thoughts/questions may be submitted by emailing Brittany Clem-Hott by emailing Brittany.Clem-Hott@harrisonburgva.gov or calling 540-434-5928.

Project Schedule:

Public Outreach - 2024

Construction - 2025

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase - construction in 2025

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase project plans include constructing a 10-foot-wide asphalt path between Roberts Court and the existing path at Jefferson Street, with a connection to Drake Lane. This path will create a safer and more continuous route for people walking and biking in this neighborhood and add to the overall 2.5 mile Northend Greenway Project. The project is funded through the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program. 

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase Open House Exhibit  [13MB]

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase Open House - March 19

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house style public hearing on March 19 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at Room 11 of Harrisonburg City Hall, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, to discuss the effort. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house for information.

Frequently Asked Questions & Public Questionnaire Summary - Coming Soon!

Project Schedule:

Public Outreach - 2024

Construction Planned - 2025

South Main Street: Mosby Road to Stone Spring Road – construction in 2025

The project will include adding a three-foot-wide concrete median on South Main Street from just south of Mosby Road to Stone Spring Road/Erickson Avenue. To reduce crashes and improve traveler safety along the corridor, the project will replace the current two-way left turn lane with dedicated left turn lanes for East Mosby Road, Dukes Plaza, and Erickson Avenue. Additionally, the project includes a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the east side of the road and shelters at three bus stops to improve multimodal access on the corridor. Existing bike lanes will be removed to accommodate the median. The project was recommended by a VDOT STARS Study completed in 2020. VDOT STARS Study [15MB] Project funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program. 

Public Hearing (Open-house style)

The City of Harrisonburg Public Works Department held a public hearing on February 22, 2024 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Sentara RMH Wellness Center, 2500 Wellness Drive, Harrisonburg. 

Public Hearing Visual Aids

Corridor Crash Data Mosby to Stone Spring [1,889KB]

Installation of Medians [314KB]

Typical Section Graphic [266KB]

Overall Graphic [266KB]

Public Hearing Invitation Letter

English [184KB]

Spanish [129KB]

Arabic [266KB]

Kurdish [250KB]

Frequently Asked Questions & Community Feedback

Upon reviewing responses from the South Main Street Project Questionnaire (Mosby Road to Stone Spring Road/Erickson Avenue corridor) and communicating with property owners and travelers along the corridor, staff has adjusted the Mosby intersection to include 4 crosswalks, making crossing accessible in all directions. Adjustments are also being made to the number of bus shelters added with the project. The Project will continue to allow all turning movements at the Dukes Plaza entrance, as a way to balance the need for access to businesses with the safety benefits of reducing the number of entrances that have full access.

  1. Why are the bike lanes being removed? Existing bike lanes do not meet current standards for safety and the community has shared they feel unsafe biking along this corridor. Constructing wider bike lanes would involve significant impact to adjacent properties and utilities and would be costly. The existing bike lanes will be removed to allow for installation of a median to enhance safety of travelers on the corridor. The sidewalks will be an option for bicyclists to utilize after the bike lanes are removed. If funded, extension of the Bluestone Trail will create an alternate route for people biking to Rocktown High School and other destinations along South Main Street. Staff is attempting to secure competitive grant funding to construct this extension of the Bluestone Trail.
  2. How will these changes affect transportation to Rocktown High School? Changes have been planned with extensive study and evaluation of crash data and traffic volume projections. Planned changes will make the corridor safer by creating a situation with less conflicts for the increased traffic.
  3. How will I enter the businesses along South Main Street in this corridor when traveling North? Travelers may turn onto Mosby Road and turn into Dukes Plaza on the access road behind the businesses, turn left into the median break at the Dukes Plaza entrance/exit, or make a U-turn at Erickson Avenue. 
  4. How will I travel North after visiting a business along this corridor? Travelers may exit onto South Main Street and make a U-turn at Mosby Road, or use the access roads behind businesses along South Main and Mosby to turn onto Mosby Road and travel to the intersection. Using the access entrance to Duke’s Plaza that is further west on Mosby Road (further form the traffic signal) will likely be easier and safer at peak traffic hours when the queue length at the signal will be longer. Exiting left out of the median break at the Dukes Plaza entrance/exit on S. Main Street is also an option, although it may be difficult to accomplish safely during peak traffic hours when finding a gap through traffic in the north and southbound directions at the same time is likely to be difficult, and sight lines may be obstructed by the northbound left turn queue.
  5. What happens when Interstate 81 shuts down and the corridor becomes congested? The safety benefits of this project are particularly important when there is additional traffic on the corridor, such as when there is traffic diverted from I-81. Reducing the number of locations where vehicles are taking a left turn into busy traffic helps to ensure safe traffic flow.
  6. How do these types of changes affect businesses along the corridor?  The public input process did not produce specific concerns regarding reduced competitive advantage as a result of the changes proposed. Staff assumes this is because the changes do not decrease convenience of access to businesses enough to influence drivers to substitute a previously preferred destination in the corridor with one elsewhere. On the contrary, the reduced risk of crashes may offset or increase business competition in the corridor.
  7. Why is there no grass buffer for the new sidewalk? To provide a grass buffer, there would be notable impact to utility poles and steeply graded adjacent property. For this sidewalk retrofit, the cost to achieve the grass buffer isn’t warranted. If a development proposal(s) involving these properties were to hypothetically emerge, the City would work with the developer to further improve the sidewalk. 
  8. How will you address congestion on Mosby Road? Staff has secured funds for a study for the area including the Erickson Avenue and Pear Street corridors. In the upcoming year, this study will identify potential projects to improve traffic operations and safety along these corridors that will be incorporated into the City’s Capital Improvements Program and/or Comprehensive Plan. 

Please Note: Phase II of the South Main Improvement Project (Exit 243 Interchange to Mosby Road) is a separate project with public outreach anticipated to take place in 2025 and expected construction in 2027/28. Additional improvements may also be funded along this corridor, aligned with the study that was completed in 2022 (view Study Webpage).

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2022-23

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2023-24

Construction – 2025

University Boulevard Realignment - construction in 2025

The project realigns University Blvd between the old convocation center parking lot and Forest Hill Road at the Oak Hill Drive intersection. The project replaces the existing University Blvd with a new 2-lane roadway with a shared-use path and sidewalk. The project will transition University Blvd into a safer and more efficient multi-modal corridor for travel to and from JMU and destinations in the Southeast part of Harrisonburg. It is currently a 2-lane rural typical section that has been adapted in various ways over the years as traffic volumes have grown. The project will reestablish University Blvd as an urban collector, in keeping with its current role, traffic volumes, and continuous trend of adjacent urbanization. The realignment will allow University Blvd to become the through movement at Oak Hill Drive, transferring the stop control to the side street, which will improve safety and operations for University Blvd, as well as Port Republic Road. The shared-use path will be constructed along Forest Hill Road and University Blvd between Port Republic Road and Carrier Drive, creating a continuous bicycle and pedestrian connection between the existing infrastructure on Port Republic Rd, Driver Drive, and Carrier Dr. Project funded through the VDOT Revenue Sharing Program.

University Boulevard Realignment Project Video

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2021-22

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2022-24

Construction – 2025

Open House & Design Public Hearing:

The open house-style public hearing was held on Wednesday, September 7th from 4:00pm - 6:30pm at the City Hall Council Chambers.

Gay Street Reconfiguration and Pedestrian Improvements - construction in 2026

The current lane configuration of Gay Street between Broad Street and Liberty Street requires those driving or biking to change lanes at one or more locations in order to continue straight on the street. This project proposes revising the configuration to improve operations and safety for people driving, biking, and walking on this segment of Gay Street. The proposed new configuration is shown in the image below. Changes include creation of turn lanes to safely accommodate left turns, addition of bike lanes, and construction of additional crosswalks and curb ramps at Main Street and Broad Street. These improvements can be made without widening the road, to avoid impacts to adjacent properties. The concept for this project was first identified in the 2014 Downtown Streetscape Plan [488KB] and a study [24,272KB] was completed in 2022. Funding for the project is available through the Virginia Highway Improvement Program. 

Gay Street Reconfiguration Diagram [3,871KB)

Gay Street Reconfiguration Open House: 

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department held an open house on April 3 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm in the auditorium of Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center, 620 Simms Avenue, Harrisonburg. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house for information. A questionnaire was available at the open house to collect public thoughts/suggestions and is now available digitally. Suggestions, ideas, or concerns regarding the proposed project, whether expressed at the open house or through the questionnaire, will guide the design and implementation of the project. More information about Harrisonburg roadway reconfigurations and reconfiguration projects.

Open House Visual Aids

Project Schedule

Design and Public Outreach - 2024/25

Construction - 2026/27

University Boulevard and Evelyn Byrd Roadway Reconfiguration and Sidewalks - construction in 2026

Public Hearing - University Boulevard and Evelyn Byrd Avenue Roadway Reconfiguration and Sidewalk Project

The City of Harrisonburg Public Works department held a public hearing on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm at the Hyatt Place Harrisonburg.

Press Release: Community Invited to learn about University Blvd., Evelyn Byrd Ave. project [434KB] 

Public Hearing Visual Aids

Project Description:

This project will reconfigure University Blvd (0.7 miles) and Evelyn Byrd Avenue (1.3 miles) by converting the streets from 4 lanes to 2 vehicle lanes, a center turn lane and bike lanes to provide access management and improve safety. University Blvd has a high density of commercial entrances, which leads to dangerous weaving throughout the corridor as vehicles try to get around turning vehicles, and results in other safety hazards related to speeds and turning movements. The project will also bring a multimodal focus to University Blvd and Evelyn Byrd Ave. Sidewalks will be added to University Blvd on both sides, and on Evelyn Byrd Ave on the north/east side to connect sporadic sections of existing sidewalk. Bus shelters and benches will be added to bus stops. This project is funded by a VDOT Smart Scale grant.

Project Diagram PDF [443KB] 

Project Diagram JPEG [58KB]

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering and Public Involvement: 2022-24

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation: 2024-25

Construction: 2026

North Main Street Sidewalk – construction in 2026

The project extends the sidewalk on both sides of North Main Street from the current sidewalk endpoints to Vine Street and widens the road to create bike lanes between Charles Street and Vine Street. Pedestrian signals, ramps, and crosswalks will be installed at the intersection with Vine Street/Mt. Clinton Pike. Project funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program. 

Port Republic Road: Bluestone Drive to Crawford Avenue – construction in 2026

This project extends the eastbound Port Republic Road left turn lane at Bluestone Drive from 100' of storage for vehicles to 300'. The turn lane extension is expected to improve safety and operations at the intersection by more adequately accommodating queuing vehicles waiting to make a left turn onto Bluestone Drive into the JMU campus. This improvement was a recommendation of the Port Republic Road Safety and Operations Study completed in 2019. A 5’ wide sidewalk will be constructed on the south side of Port Republic Road between Crawford Avenue and the existing crosswalk of Port Republic Road at Bluestone Drive to provide a safe pedestrian connection between the residential neighborhood and the JMU campus. Additionally, a median will be constructed along this segment. Project funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program.

Port Republic Project Open House 

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house on Thursday, November 14 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at City Hall Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house for information. The public was invited to ask questions and provide feedback on project design plans during the open house. The open house also included proposed improvements for the Port Republic: Devon Lane to Hunters Road project. A questionnaire was available at the open house to collect public comments and experiences along the corridor.

Open House Diagrams: 

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2022-24

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2024-25

Construction – 2026

Port Republic Road: Devon Lane to Hunters Road – construction in 2026

This project addresses multiple safety concerns on the Port Republic Road corridor between Hunters Rd and Devon Lane, as identified in the Port Republic Road Safety and Operations Study completed in 2019. Installation of a signal at Bradley Drive, with associated left turn lanes on Port Republic Road, improves safety and decreases delays in the peak hours for those entering and exiting Bradley Drive. The addition of crosswalks and pedestrian signals at this intersection improves pedestrian safety and access along Port Republic Road. Construction of a concrete median between Devon Lane and Hunters Road improves safety by eliminating left-turn conflicts, which have led to crashes at Hunters Road and other locations along this segment of Port Republic Road. The project rebuilds the existing westbound bike lane as a separated bike lane, adjacent to the sidewalk, beginning close to Devon Lane and returning to street level at Hunters Road. The project rebuilds sidewalks, where impacted by this project. Project funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program, with contributions from an adjacent private development.

Port Republic Project Open House 

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house on Thursday, November 14 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at City Hall Council Chambers, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house for information. The public was invited to ask questions and provide feedback on project design plans during the open house. The open house also included proposed improvements for the Port Republic: Bluestone Drive to Crawford Avenue project. A questionnaire was available at the open house to collect public comments and experiences along the corridor.

Open House Diagrams: 

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2022-24

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2024-25

Construction – 2026

South Main Street: Exit 243 Interchange to Mosby Road – construction in 2027/28

The project makes multiple improvements to South Main Street in the vicinity of the I-81 Exit 243 interchange and extending north nearly to Mosby Road. 

*The above conceptual diagram was created for the application for funding for this project. As project design/engineering is completed, project components and details may change from what is shown. 

For a larger version or to navigate conceptual diagram details, please view: Conceptual Diagram - South Main Street [5.30MB]

The project will have safety benefits and improve operations at intersections to reduce delay. Information about each aspect of the project is provided below. Project funded through the VDOT SMART SCALE program. 

At the intersection of South Main Street, Covenant Drive, and the I-81 on-ramp and off-ramp (Exit 243), the improvements will construct additional turn lanes and associated changes to improve operations at this intersection. The intersection of South Main Street and Pleasant Valley Road will also be improved through construction of additional turn lanes. At the South Main Street and Pointe Drive intersection, a change will be constructed to improve safety and reduce delay through an innovative way of accommodating left turns from Point Drive. 

To improve safety along South Main Street, a median will be constructed for the majority of the segment. Sidewalk will be added along the west side of South Main Street, where there isn't existing sidewalk, between the existing sidewalk south of the interchange and the existing sidewalk north of Pointe Drive. Additional short distances of sidewalk will be added on Pleasant Valley Road, the east side of South Main Street, and Kaylor Park Drive. Pedestrian signals, ramps, and crosswalks will be installed where appropriate at the intersections with Covenant Drive and with Pleasant Valley Road. An enhanced crosswalk across South Main Street will be constructed just south of Pointe Drive. Shelters will be installed at 4 bus stops on the corridor. 

For information about the project to make improvements on South Main Street between Stone Spring Road and Mosby Road, view this webpage.

Project Schedule:

Preliminary engineering and public engagement – 2023-24

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2024-26

Construction – 2027/28

Liberty Street Project - construction 2027/28

Press Release: Harrisonburg to receive $14.3 million in federal funds for Liberty Street project [620KB]

The offices of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and U.S. Senator Mark Warner announced on June 26, 2023 that Harrisonburg would receive approximately $14.3 million in federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant funds to support the City’s Downtown Harrisonburg Streetscape & Mobility Transformation project. The project will create safer and more accessible routes for travelers in Downtown, enhance area streetscape aesthetics and increase transportation and trail connectivity for community members and visitors, among other benefits. View the press release from the U.S. Senator’s office.

A very competitive grant opportunity, the funding supports 100 percent of the project’s current estimated cost with no matching City funds necessary at this time. 

The Downtown Harrisonburg Streetscape and Mobility Transformation project includes: 

  • The transformation of one lane (starting at Noll Drive at Kratzer Avenue, moving south down Liberty Street to Main Street) into two-way separated bicycle lanes, also known as a two-way cycle track, protected by a median separating the bike lanes from traffic. The median spaces may allow for green space use (installation of grass, gardens, etc.) in various locations supporting downtown beautification and City environmental initiatives and programs. 
  • Installation of a connecting section of path from Grattan Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Way, where the Bluestone Trail begins and runs through James Madison University to Purcell Park. 
  • Upgrades at intersections, including adding pedestrian signals and curb bumpouts that improve safety for pedestrians and features such as decorative signal poles. 
  • Changes to the intersection of Liberty Street, Main Street and Grattan Street to improve safety at this intersection.
  • To be determined - Should funding be made available, relocation of overhead utility lines to be underground, and removing the utility poles that obstruct sidewalk access. The extent of this task will be determined by the amount of funding available.

The project was originally identified in the Harrisonburg Downtown 2040 Plan, which looked at ways to improve Harrisonburg’s Downtown for the future. Prior to the creation of this Plan, a study was completed to evaluate the potential to reduce Liberty Street to 1 vehicle lane.

Above is an initial diagram that shows the basic project concept. Final design plans will vary to best accomplish the two-way separated bicycle lanes and median space for each block of the project. The design of vegetation in the medians and intersection upgrades are also subject to change. The Liberty Street Conceptual design diagrams submitted for the RAISE Grant may be found here: Liberty Street Conceptual Design Diagrams [14.7MB]. These concepts will be revised and refined through the engineering/design process, during which further information and designs will be provided to the public for residents and stakeholders to provide feedback and identify any desires or concerns related to this project.

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering and Public Involvement: 2024-25

Right-of-way acquisition: 2025-26

Construction: 2027-28

Project questions may be sent to Brittany.Clem-Hott@harrisonburgva.gov

Pear Street & Erickson Avenue Intersection Safety Improvements - construction in 2029

This project creates a modified Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) at the intersection of Pear Street and Erickson Avenue to improve safety and operations at this intersection. 3 out of 4 left turns, as well as the through movements on the minor approaches, are redirected to signalized U-turns. Marked crosswalks will be provided at the Pear Street intersection, including a pedestrian refuge and enhanced crosswalk to cross Erickson Avenue.

Project Schedule:

Preliminary engineering and public engagement – 2025-27

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2028-29

Construction – 2029-30

Reservoir Street Sidewalk: Dutch Mill Court to Harrisonburg Crossing - construction in 2029

The project will construct approximately 1,200 feet of sidewalk on the east side of Reservoir Street from Dutch Mill Court to the Harrisonburg Crossing shopping center entrance to fill gaps in the pedestrian network. The sidewalk will be 5 foot wide with a 2 foot wide grass buffer strip between it and back of curb. The bridge over I-81 in the middle of the corridor has existing sidewalk. The project will make pedestrian improvements to the signalized intersection of Reservoir Street and the Harrisonburg Crossing shopping center entrance. 

Project Schedule:

Preliminary engineering and public engagement – 2025-27

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2028-29

Construction – 2029-30

 

Completed Projects - completed after 2022

Kaylor Park Drive Extension to Rocktown High School – completed in 2024

The project extends East Kaylor Park Drive to the site of Rocktown High School and connects to S. Main Street south of Pointe Drive. The project will install a signal at the South Main Street and East Kaylor Park intersection and create a right-in, right-out intersection at the new connection to South Main Street. A shared-use path will be constructed along the road through the high school site, with a sidewalk or shared-use path connections to South Main Street.

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering – 2021-22

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation – 2021-22

Construction – 2023/24

Vine Street Sidewalk - 100 Block - completed in 2023

Sidewalk will be constructed on the south side of Vine Street between N. Main Street and Harris Garden Apartments. This will connect those who live along Vine Street to the sidewalks planned for construction along N. Main Street, Mt. Clinton Pike, and US 11 in Rockingham County. It will be a 5’ wide concrete sidewalk with a 2’ wide grass strip separating the sidewalk from the road. Funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Vine Street Sidewalk - 500 Block – completed in 2023

The project constructs a sidewalk on the west side of Vine Street between Washington Street and Emerson Lane. This will fill a gap between the existing sidewalk on Vine St and Washington St and the sidewalk on Emerson Ln. It will be a 5’ wide concrete sidewalk with a 2’ wide grass strip separating the sidewalk from the road. Funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

Commerce Drive Sidewalk – completed in 2022

The project constructs a sidewalk on the south/west side of Commerce Drive to fill a gap in the sidewalk between N. Main Street and the existing sidewalk at Commerce Village. It will be a 5’ wide concrete sidewalk with a 2’ wide grass strip separating the sidewalk from the road. Funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

Water Street Sidewalk – completed in 2022

The project constructs a sidewalk on the north side of W. Water Street between Willow Street and Dogwood Drive. This will connect the existing Water Street sidewalk to the sidewalk on Dogwood Dr that leads to Westover Park. Funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path - completed in 2022

The Friendly City Trail is open for use!

This shared-use path connects three schools (Harrisonburg High School, Bluestone Elementary School, and Thomas Harrison Middle School), two parks (Hillandale and Westover Parks), and several residential neighborhoods on the west side of Harrisonburg. The path is more than 2 miles from one end to the other and consists of sidewalk and shared-use path improvements that provide connectivity and recreational options to people walking, jogging, and bicycling.

The sidewalk portion of the project was constructed along the east side of Garbers Church Road, connecting the Bluestone Elementary School entrance to Park Lawn Drive. A diagram of the shared-use paths is shown below. An updated map of the completed Friendly City Trail is coming soon.

More information on the path connection to Westover Park [2MB]

Friendly City Trail shared-use path map [2MB]

November 9, 2017 Public Meeting Materials - initial proposed alignments.  Updated alignment in the map above.

Poster 1: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path 

Poster 2: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path [1.0MB]

Poster 3: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path [1.5MB]

Poster 4: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path [0.8MB]

Poster 5: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path [3.5MB]

Poster 6: Friendly City Trail Shared Use Path [2.1MB]

Schedule:

  • November 2016 – VHB under contract for engineering services
  • January 2017 - Citizen Information Meeting to share concepts and receive public input
  • Late 2017 – Design Public Hearing to show proposed route and receive feedback
  • January 23, 2018 – Presentation to City Council; Public Hearing
  • 2019-2020 – Right of way
  • Fall/Winter 2020 - Path Name Suggestion Survey
  • Spring 2021 – Construction
  • Fall 2021 - Path Naming Survey - Vote for Finalists
  • November 2021 - Friendly City Trail was chosen by City Council based on feedback from a community survey
  • Winter 2021 - Anticipated completion
  • May 25, 2022  - Ceremony to Mark Completion of Friendly City Trail [453KB]

Questions? Contact Thomas Hartman at Tom.Hartman@harrisonburgva.gov or 540-434-5928.

Dogwood Drive Sidewalk – completed in 2022

The project constructs a sidewalk on the west side of Dogwood Drive between the W. Market Street sidewalk and the path entrance to Westover Park. Funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

For descriptions of older projects, please call Public Works or visit our Project Archive page (coming soon).

Related Pages
Public Works