Committee approves forwarding Transportation Alternatives funding requests for Green Circle connections and Amherst Street shared‑use path

The Finance Committee recommended that Council approve two applications for the Transportation Alternatives program (a federally funded program administered through VDOT) to support pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

Staff described a proposed North End shared‑use path concept that would tie the Green Circle at Lowery Drive through Jim Barnett Park, across Cork Street and the Daniel Morgan campus, and toward Malden. Staff proposed the project be built in phases; the committee supported applying for federal funds for Phase 1 (park and Daniel Morgan connections), which staff said would be largely on city property and could be a stand‑alone constructible project.

The second proposed application is an Amherst Street shared‑use path to replace a narrow sidewalk and provide a separated trail and buffer from vehicular traffic. Staff described the project as converting a three‑lane cross section to two lanes and adding a separated path with a planted buffer; staff said right‑of‑way constraints and future redevelopment (including the Southern States property) require further study but recommended applying for phase funding.

The Transportation Alternatives program can fund up to 80 percent of project costs but caps awards at $2.5 million per project. Committee members asked about right‑of‑way, impacts to adjacent businesses, emergency access to the hospital, and staging; staff said early engineering and public‑safety review would be part of any successful application. The committee unanimously voted to forward both applications to Council for the required public hearing and Council action.