News

Asheville, Transylvania and Polk win greenway grants

By Bill Moss, Published: March 14, 2017

Asheville and Transylvania and Polk counties have won bicycle and pedestrian planning grants, joining Hendersonville, Laurel Park and Flat Rock in studying greenways.

The N.C. Department of Transportation announced the grants on Tuesday. Recipients were selected from a pool of 18 applications by an awards committee comprised of representatives from regional planning organizations and councils of government, local government planners and NCDOT staff from multiple units.

The award winners included Asheville, for a corridor plan; Columbus/Tryon for a joint bicycle/pedestrian plan; and Transylvania County, for bicycle plan.

Hendersonville, Laurel Park and Flat Rock, which all have bicycle and pedestrian studies under way, are looking at ways to build new greenways and to link with other greenways. Kimley-Horn, an engineering consultant, is advising all three towns on the plans.
Local governments receive the planning grants not for one specific project but to develop a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities. The plans address facilities, programs, services and regulations that encourage safe walking and bicycling. Now in its 14th year, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative has awarded more than $4.5 million for 183 local plans.