News Summary
Norfolk is set to start the Granby Street Bike Lane Project, enhancing cycling infrastructure along Granby Street. With an $822,000 funding approval, construction will focus on improving safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. It includes adding bike lanes and pedestrian safety beacons at critical crossings. The project will take approximately 10 months, starting with sidewalk improvements. The initiative reflects the city’s commitment to becoming more bike-friendly and will coincide with upcoming events for National Bike Month.
Norfolk has announced that construction for the Granby Street Bike Lane Project will commence on September 8. This initiative aims to enhance cycling infrastructure on Granby Street, a topic that has generated discussion within the community for several years. The Norfolk City Council approved $822,000 in funding for the project, a sum received from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in 2016.
The construction will focus on the section of Granby Street stretching from Willow Wood Drive to Admiral Taussig Boulevard. To improve safety during the construction phase, the speed limit on Granby Street will be reduced from 35 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour. The objective of this project is to foster a safer environment for all modes of transportation, benefiting cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike.
In addition to new bike lanes, the project will introduce new pedestrian safety beacons at critical crossings along Granby Street. These beacons will be installed at Dumont Avenue, Elvin Road, Fife Street, Oxford Street, and Talbot Hall Road. When activated by pedestrians, these beacons will display a red signal, alerting drivers to stop for pedestrians crossing the street.
The anticipated duration for the construction phase is approximately 10 months. Initial work will start with sidewalk improvements in the Wards Corner area. Residents can continue to place their trash out as usual during the construction process.
As of now, Norfolk boasts 35.8 miles of bike lanes and is committed to becoming increasingly bike-friendly. A representative from Bike Norfolk cited that the community has worked for over a decade to bring this project to fruition. Local cyclists have expressed a need for dedicated bike lanes on Granby Street to ensure a safer transit route.
Several studies have indicated that the addition of cycling infrastructure not only benefits cyclists but also enhances overall road safety for everyone using the street. The enthusiasm for this project reflects a growing recognition of biking as a viable mode of transportation in urban areas.
Furthermore, there are discussions regarding the potential for extending the bike lanes beyond Admiral Taussig Boulevard to Bayview Boulevard after the initial phase of construction is completed. This shows a vision for further enhancing cycling pathways in the area.
In tandem with the bike lane initiative, Norfolk will celebrate National Bike Month in May, promoting cycling within the community. Several events and programs are planned to inspire residents to engage in biking activities, contributing to environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
The Granby Street Bike Lane Project aligns with the city’s wider efforts to promote cycling and pedestrian safety, aiming to create a more integrated transportation network. With construction set to begin shortly, residents can anticipate improvements that will support both cyclist and pedestrian transit in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- 13 News Now: Granby Street Bike Lane Construction Begins
- Visit Norfolk: How to Celebrate National Bike Month
- WAVY: Granby St. Bike Lanes Enter Construction Phase
- WTKR: Norfolk Approves Funding for Bike Lanes
- Wikipedia: Bicycle Infrastructure
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
