Winchester council approves applications for VDOT pedestrian and bike funding

The Winchester City Council voted Tuesday to authorize applications to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives program to seek federal funds for two pedestrian-and-bicycle projects: a North End connection to the Green Circle trail and a separated shared-use path on Amherst Street.

Councilors authorized staff to submit concept-phase applications only; no design work or construction is approved by tonight’s vote. Perry Eisenach, who presented the request with city staff member Kelly Henshaw, said the applications would allow the city to pursue federal dollars that typically require a public hearing.

Eisenach described the first project as a phased effort to link the Green Circle to neighborhoods on the city’s North End. Phase 1 would connect the Green Circle just south of Lowry Drive, meander through Jim Barnett Park, cross Court Street, travel through the Daniel Morgan School campus and tie to Malden Drive to provide a safe route from that neighborhood to the Green Circle. The second concept would convert a three-lane section of Amherst Street (one lane each direction plus a center turn lane) to a two-lane cross-section with a raised, separated trail, curb and gutter and planting buffer between the trail and the roadway.

Eisenach warned council the concepts are preliminary: "At this point, these are just concept projects — they’re concepts. We haven't designed them. All we're asking for approval tonight is just for authorization to apply for the funding to see if we will get the funding." He added that, if awarded, construction must begin within four years under program rules.

Council members asked about emergency-response impacts if the center turn lane were removed from Amherst Street; Eisenach and Henshaw said emergency vehicles routinely traverse downtown and staff did not expect the lane conversion to prevent response, though they acknowledged the concern during peak traffic periods. Councilor Fox said she supported separated facilities for safety: "I like the idea of separating the bike and the walkers, for safety during that section." Councilor Herbstree and others also expressed support while noting trade-offs on narrow, older corridors.

A motion to "approve and submit the application" carried on a roll-call vote. The council recorded the motion approved with all present councilors voting yes; Councilor Bell was absent.

If awarded, the grants would fund preliminary design and later phases; detailed plans, public input and further council actions would occur before any construction contracts were awarded.