Information Charlottesville

The effort to link the Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton to Charlottesville with a continuous shared-use path has received a major boost from the federal government. A $2 million grant authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be awarded to Albemarle County for the Three Notched Trail Shared Use Path Plan. 

“A ‘shared use’ path is typically a 10’ wide paved trail that is physically separated from the motor vehicle travel way and allows bi-directional pedestrian and bicycle traffic,” reads a website for the project. “Once built, the TNT will provide local residents and visitors with car-free transportation and recreational opportunities.” 

The money will come from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission’s Board endorsed the project earlier this year, as I reported at the time. 

The scope for the initial phase is about 25 miles long. No alignment has been decided for the trail, and the funding will be used to help conduct a public outreach process. 

The funding is part of $64 million that Virginia will receive through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Other projects include $20 million for a pedestrian crossing of the Potomac River at Long Bridge, $19.3 million for Portsmouth to convert a four-lane highway to a two-lane road with bike lanes and sidewalks, and $18.4 million for the city of Richmond to replace the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Bridge. The awards were announced by U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. 

The Three Notched Trail is a project of the Rivanna Trail Foundation, a nonprofit that has partnered with Albemarle, Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia to build and maintain trails in the community. 

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