Transportation planners, engineers, program managers, and local cyclists met on September 28, 2018 for a Multi-Regions Alternative Transportation Social. The purpose of the event was to share best practices in planning, highlight local success stories, and provide networking opportunities for those interested in alternative transportation.
Both regions expressed renewed interest in a Valley-to-Valley trail connection, between the Roanoke Greenway and New River Trail State Park. Presenters from the New River Valley celebrated the recent launch of a new bike share called ROAM New River Valley, recently awarded bus stop safety and accessibility studies, and progress towards expanding passenger rail from Roanoke to Christiansburg. Roanoke Valley presenters shared their creative public outreach and engagement strategies to expand the development of the region’s bicycle network and increasing its use through fun social rides. The Virginia Department of Transportation also shared a helpful funding timeline aimed to inform community partners about opportunities to compete for state-wide alternative transportation projects (trails, sidewalks, bike lanes, transit, rail, etc.).
Since 2011, the New River Valley Regional Commission has partnered with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and the Virginia Department of Transportation to coordinate and facilitate this social learning event. The Commission would like to extend a special thank you to all those who participated this year!
For further information, please contact Elijah sharp ( esharp@nrvrc.org), 540-639-9313, ext. 209.