Blacksburg council approves $108,846 in VDOT revenue-sharing funds to complete Ehart Street cycle track

The Blacksburg Town Council on an evening vote approved an ordinance to accept $108,846 in Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revenue-sharing funds and appropriate a matching amount from town funds to complete the East-side Ehart Street cycle track as originally designed.

Town staff described the ordinance as “a very simple ordinance” that will appropriate and accept VDOT revenue-sharing funds so the project can move forward. The staff presentation said the cycle track dates to the 2019 Midtown rezoning and will connect from Willard Drive toward South Main Street and ultimately to the Huckleberry Trail.

Staff explained that VDOT revenue sharing is a biannual program that requires a 50/50 match. In this case, the required local match will be provided by Midtown development dollars per the rezoning agreements; the staff said the council had directed that the track be built as originally designed rather than value-engineered down, and that higher construction costs since 2019 created the $108,846 gap.

Councilmember Ford, who voted in favor, said the project “is important for our connectivity in the town” and called the crossing “a very vital safe crossing” that will encourage biking over driving. No members of the public offered comment during the hearing.

The clerk called the roll for the ordinance vote; Ford, Edgar Smith, Sutphin, Watson and Anderson voted aye and the ordinance was approved. With the appropriation in place, staff may proceed with project implementation and coordination with VDOT and developer funds.

The council took no further action on the project during the meeting; there were no public comments and no amendments to the ordinance.