The state has spent more than $1.2 million to fund three projects to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to move around central Virginia. Two of those are at the University of Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) selected the projects to get transportation enhancement grant funds. The money will make improvements for walkers and bikers around UVA.
The university is getting a nearly $346,000 grant to start its UBikes program. Students developed the bike share idea to place 100 bikes in 13 stands around UVA. Members can unlock a bike, ride it around, and return it.
VDOT says this grant will allow UVA to buy the bikes and start building the stands. Another $300,000 grant will pay for sidewalk, bike lanes, and crosswalk improvements at the intersection of Jefferson Park Avenue and Emmet Street.
"It improves the safety of those intersections and it also allows people to more safely travel outside of cars - to use bicycles or to walk," said Stacy Londrey with VDOT. "And around the University that's really important."
The JPA and Emmet improvements coincide with a city project to redesign that intersection to make it safer for cars and pedestrians.
The town of Gordonsville is also slated to get $593,000 to finish streetscape improvements along Main Street from King to Cobb streets.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will vote on final funding for all these grants in June.
