News
The Afton Express Celebrates Four Years While Planning for the Future
The Afton Express is celebrating its fourth anniversary this September, marking a major milestone for a service that has become a key asset for commuters traveling along the I-64 corridor. Since its launch in 2021, Afton Express has seen steady growth, with ridership increasing by 56% from its inception to the end of 2024, with a projected increase of 84% from inception to December 2025.
In addition to the anniversary, a new proposed schedule for the Afton Express is now available for public comment. We are revising the schedule using rider and stakeholder feedback as well as ridership data to better align with passenger needs. The public can provide feedback on the proposed schedule by visiting the Afton Express page on CSPDC Connects.
To celebrate the anniversary and discuss the future of the service, CSPDC staff are hosting pop-up events at the Staunton and Waynesboro Park and Ride lots and the UVA Bavaro Hall stop in Charlottesville. These events will provide an opportunity for staff to thank riders, share Rideshare resources, and engage with the Afton Express community.
Following the public comment period, we will make necessary revisions and implement the new schedule on Monday, November 3.
Waynesboro Celebrates South River Preserve with Public Dedication
Waynesboro city representatives and residents gathered on August 21st to celebrate the transformation of the South River Preserve. The public dedication marked the culmination of years of collaborative environmental restoration work.
The project reclaimed portions of Constitution Park, the South River, and former DuPont properties that sat largely unused for more than a decade. What was once a seven-acre asphalt parking lot and degrading picnic area is now a flourishing meadow that welcomes both wildlife and community members.
The South River Preserve exemplifies the remarkable community benefits possible when federal, state, and local partners unite around a shared vision. City Councilman Terry Short praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition, with key speakers at the dedication including Anne Condon from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Parks and Recreation leaders C. Dwayne Jones and Stephanie Seltzer, Dr. Joe Keiper of the Virginia Natural History Museum, and Lisa Carter from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.
The project also brought together a team coalition of design and engineering partners, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Anhold Associates, Timmons Group, and Summit Environmental Services, LLC.
The restoration was funded primarily through a settlement with DuPont that addressed historic mercury releases into the South River, known as the DuPont-Waynesboro Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Fund. Additional monetary support came from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, and Virginia Department of Forestry.
Construction began in late 2023, and the preserve now features:
- Expansive meadow and forest habitat that supports local ecosystems
- Fish habitat structures to enhance aquatic life in the South River
- ADA-compliant river access
- a Theater for outdoor programming and events
- Restored streambanks along Rockfish Run
- Educational interpretive signs developed in partnership with the Virginia Natural History Museum and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Rather than a traditional ribbon cutting, the dedication ceremony concluded with a community seed scatter—a fitting symbol for a project designed to help both native plants and community connections take root and flourish.
Rockbridge Area Pursues Airport Feasibility Study
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) has long identified a service gap in Rockbridge County—meaning it’s a 45-minute drive in any direction to a general aviation or commercial airport. Recognizing this gap and the economic development opportunities that a general aviation airport can create, a group of local elected officials, Economic Development Authority members and staff from Rockbridge County and the Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington approached DOAV and the CSPDC to undertake a feasibility study for a general aviation airport in the County.
The Virginia Aviation Board approved a scope of work and funding for the Feasibility Study on August 15th, and we will soon be underway with Delta Airport Consultants, LLC to evaluate aviation demand for the region, conduct a comprehensive market analysis, and develop a recommended general facility design and governance structure. Additionally, the study will provide order of magnitude cost estimates and operational budget projections based on demand forecasts. Once underway, the study is anticipated to take nine months to complete.
Augusta Health Awarded Outstanding Business Partner at CTAV Conference
The Community Transportation Association of Virginia (CTAV) honored Augusta Health with its Outstanding Business Partner Award at the Annual Conference and Expo, recognizing the hospital’s partnership, engagement, and commitment to public transportation in the region. Augusta Health Community Outreach Manager Abby Calvert, pictured above with CSPDC staff, attended to accept the award. CTAV’s Outstanding Business Partner Award recognizes exceptional support for community transportation throughout Virginia.
As a dedicated funding and community partner for BRITE Bus, Augusta Health exemplifies how healthcare organizations can support mobility for all. Through partnering to provide fare-free rides to all Augusta Health facilities, purchasing farecards in bulk for community distribution, and advocating for accessibility through the BRITE Transit Advisory Committee, Augusta Health’s partnership removes transportation barriers to accessing healthcare and other essential services throughout the region. Their multifaceted commitment to healthcare access demonstrates how strengthened regional transportation networks can advance community health was applauded and recognized through this award.
Lexington Cuts Ribbon on North Main Street
The City of Lexington celebrated the completion of a transformative streetscape project on August 27th with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Secretary of Transportation and the entire 7th grade class from nearby Lylburn Downing Middle School were the honored guests who cut the ribbon across the North Main Street streetscape project. CSPDC worked with City of Lexington and VMI in 2016 to submit a SMART SCALE application for the $4.1 million six-block project, which stretches along U.S. 11 Business from Massie Street to Hook Lane. The street reconfiguration widened the east-side sidewalk by five feet to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and replaced on-street parking with a dedicated four-foot bike lane on the west side. The work also included replacing underground utilities and improving connections to the Chessie Trail and Washington and Lee University.