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County planner outlines $1.24M Canal Bridge sidewalk project; Friends of Fonta Flora pledges $150,000 match
Summary
Planner Sarah Shabbain Sheriff briefed the board on a $1.24 million Canal Bridge pedestrian walkway project; NCDOT will lead construction oversight and Friends of Fonta Flora pledged $150,000 of the $310,000 local match needed to draw down grant funds.
Sarah Shabbain Sheriff, planner and trail specialist, presented an update on the Canal Bridge sidewalk project at the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 16.
The project envisions a 480‑foot pedestrian walkway across the existing Canal Bridge deck on Highway 126 to connect a planned trailhead at the Canal Bridge boat ramp and link two state trails within Lake James State Park. Sheriff said the total project cost is $1.24 million, which includes a 20% local match of approximately $310,000. Friends of Fonta Flora and Over Mountain Victory State Trail partners have committed resources, and Friends of Fonta Flora’s executive director Shelley Mcketchi and board president Kenny Green were present to present a $150,000 match contribution.
Sheriff said NCDOT approved the original design in 2023 and will serve as the lead agency for construction and oversight. County staff have funded engineering and administrative costs to date and said advancing the match will allow NCDOT to proceed with next steps. The board thanked project partners and took a ceremonial photo; no formal vote was recorded on the presentation item.
Why it matters: The walkway is intended to improve nonmotorized access to state trails and trailheads, supporting recreation and connectivity within the county’s trail network. The match commitment reduces the county’s local funding obligation and enables state oversight and construction timelines to proceed.
