City contractors installed the span for the pedestrian and bicycle bridge that will connect east and west McIntire Park. The overall project will be complete in late October, and includes an ADA accessible ramp on the Rugby Avenue side of the park to allow users to connect to the sidewalks.
The bridge will allow skate park and botanical garden users to park on the east side and walk or bike across the tracks. A bus stop and drop off area will also be developed on the east side of the park. The bridge will connect the two sides of McIntire Park for the first time since it was established in 1938.
The bridge project is funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation under the Transportation Alternatives Program and includes matching funds from the City CIP. The total cost is approximately $2 million. Corman Construction is the contractor installing the bridge, which was designed by RK&K Engineering.
The City of Charlottesville is continuing to develop a network of multi-use paths to connect neighborhoods with places people work, shop and play. This bridge provides a key link in a path currently under construction that will connect the John Warner Parkway and downtown mall with the YMCA, Meadow Creek trails, and Route 29 in the Hydraulic Road area.
The next phase of this larger project includes a multi-use path along Rugby Avenue to connect into the Rose Hill neighborhood, and extension of the 250 bypass trail from Meadowbrook Heights to Hydraulic Road.