A project aimed at transforming a stretch of the Kanawha Boulevard in Charleston got a big financial boost Friday.
A $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation was announced for the construction phase of the Capital Connector Project. The announcement was made during a joint news conference between the city and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
The project calls for a “reimagining” of the Kanawha Boulevard corridor to make it more accessible for those in bicycles and on foot, as well as in vehicles, a news release said. About 3.5 miles of separated shared-use paths would be installed, as well as new crosswalks and improvements to 15 intersections.
New bus stops, streetscaping, green infrastructure, enhanced stormwater management, new LED lighting for safety and sustainability and wayfinding signage are also part of the plan.
The project starts at the intersection of Kanawha Boulevard and Tennessee Avenue at Magic Island and proceeds under Interstate 64, across the Kanawha Boulevard Bridge, through downtown Charleston, and culminating at the 35th Street Bridge.
About $17.3 million has been provided by the West Virginia Department of Transportation for investments in the bridges in order to make them more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians and create a biking and walking loop on both sides of the river.
The upgrades would include a connection to the Charleston Amtrak Station, providing people with multiple transportation options in and out of the city. Improved public transit along the boulevard is also part of the plan.
The Capital Connector Project also includes the quarter-mile segment of Greenbrier Street from Kanawha Boulevard to Washington Street. These core roadways see an average of 45,600 vehicle trips daily.
“This project will catalyze over $100 million in new economic revitalization projects – including the expansion of downtown housing, investment in a new headquarters for TC Energy that will bring 450 jobs to downtown, and key events such as USA Cycling’s Pro Road National Championships which will take place in our Capital City through 2028,” Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said in the news release.
The Capital Connector Project was first announced in 2021 when the city was awarded a planning grant for the design phase of the project.
A public meeting with city leaders and GAI Consultants is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kanawha County Public Library Main Library.
Meanwhile, traffic data is being processed by GAI to assess possible lane reductions and reconfigurations. Conceptual designs on the project are expected in the future.
Mayor Goodwin says they have been talking about revitalizing and reimagining the riverfront for decades. She continues to say this project is the perfect way to take Charleston from a city with a river to a true river city.