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Smithfield council authorizes pursuit of CMAQ grant for Venture Drive sidewalks
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a $1 million (approx.) CMAQ grant, with a proposed town match of about 20 percent, to build sidewalks on Venture Drive; staff will request a larger estimate to preserve design options and safe crossings.
The Town of Smithfield authorized staff to apply for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to construct sidewalks on the west side of Venture Drive from Outlet Center Drive to Peden Road.
Planning staff said additional CMAQ funds are available and presented an estimate in the neighborhood of $1,000,000 for the project, with a 20 percent local match. "There is additional CMAQ funds available," staff said, noting the town previously used similar federal funds for the West Smithfield trail. The council discussed which side of Venture Drive is most appropriate — staff favored the west side because it minimizes driveway intrusions and cost, while several council members argued the side with businesses might better serve pedestrians and asked staff to return with an alternate cost estimate that would allow either alignment.
Council members also raised safety questions tied to crossing points: staff said a safe crossing (possibly a beacon or higher‑cost treatment) would be included in final design if funding is awarded. Council approved a motion to pursue the grant and instructed staff to request an estimate that would cover the more expensive alignment if feasible so the town could preserve options during design.
Next steps: staff will submit the CMAQ application and, if awarded funding, return with contract approvals and detailed designs and cost estimates before construction.
