The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) worked with the Town of Grottoes and its public works staff to complete the Grottoes Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Multimodal Master Plan, which identifies potential project including 17 sidewalk segments, 12 pedestrian crossing improvements, and 7 trail and greenway projects. Altogether, the projects outlined in the plan reflect a $13.8 to $15.6 million investment in multi-modal improvements to the Town of Grottoes.
The projects are prioritized and ranked within the Plan, giving the Town a roadmap of what to pursue first. Three projects are positioned to lead the way: completing the 14th Street sidewalk loop between Holly and Forest Avenues, extending the Painter Park riverwalk along the South River, and advancing a signal study at the US-340 and 3rd Street intersection. The prioritization of these projects reflects the Town’s growing need to connect people to important destinations like the grocery store and parks, and the need to provide safe crossings as traffic increases. The plan also provides recommendations on non-construction activities that will help make the town more walkable and bike-friendly such as developing a new bicycle ordinance.
Following the completion of the plan, CSPDC staff assisted the Town of Grottoes in applying for Ready, Set, Go! funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The Ready, Set, Go! program provides 100% funding to develop concept drawings and cost estimates to increase project readiness for future VDOT funding cycles.
Grottoes was awarded funding through this program for the Augusta Avenue sidewalk project Over the coming months, VDOT staff and consultants will work with the Town staff to get the project ready to apply for construction funding in 2027.