After years of discussion, it looks like the city is ready to revisit and start planning the improvement plan for the Kanawha Blvd. The Gazette has a nice write up on a public meeting that held to get community input regarding the trail and roadway.
Here's a taste of the things talked about.
Quote:
How do you want to travel along the Kanawha Boulevard trail?
What would improve the experience?
What do you want to see?
As design starts for the Capital Connector project, a design group is asking for the public’s feedback.
In November 2021, Charleston was awarded a $1.75 million grant to design the project. Federal approval was obtained to start the design process this January, according to Matthew Sutton, chief of staff for Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin.
The Capital Connector is an upgrade to Kanawha Boulevard, from Magic Island to the 35th Street Bridge into Kanawha City. The project also will improve Greenbrier Street, from Kanawha Boulevard to Washington Street.
|
Quote:
About 60 people attended the first public meeting at the downtown library hosted by GAI Consultants, which is designing the project. Participants shared their feedback on how they use the riverfront corridor and what they would like to add.
Potential improvements include:
Better access to bridges
Safer bike lanes and crosswalks
Lower-maintenance vegetation
River overlooks
Recreation opportunities
At the meeting, Goodwin said the city has applied for a $25 million federal construction grant for the project, which continues improvements made to the riverfront on the West Side. The project will “change the face of our waterfront,” she said.
“We need to really create a more robust riverfront,” Goodwin said. “We’re a river city. We need to do more on the river.”
|
Quote:
|
GAI’s James Yost is the project manager for the design process. He told the crowd that lane reductions or narrowing lanes could be a possibility to create protected bike lanes and safer pedestrian crossings.
|
Quote:
|
Before the next meeting, GAI is asking people to fill out a survey about their use of the current Kanawha Boulevard trail and desires for the Capital Connector.
|
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/k...cc1142317.html
I am very much in favor of this, as the city desperately needs a place for bikers, joggers, walkers, etc... The current path is simply too narrow. This will greatly increase the desirability of the riverfront, and will help bring cohesion to Downtown, the East End, and the Capitol Complex.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
