Burke County was awarded $1.24 million from the Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization and Western Piedmont Council of Governments (GHMPO/WPCOG) to construct a safe pedestrian sidewalk across Canal Bridge on NC 126 over a narrow portion of Lake James. Canal bridge is an important link for this section of co-located Fonta Flora and Overmountain Victory State Trails in between two State Park parcels. The dedicated pedestrian sidewalk will allow for the growth of both of State Trails, which currently aren’t able to continue development until trail users can have a safe crossing to a future trailhead.
This project has been a priority for Burke County, the Friends of Fonta Flora, and Overmountain Victory North Carolina State Trail friends group acknowledging it as a crucial point of connectivity. Starting in March 2021 the County contracted with an engineering firm, Mattern & Craig, to determine feasible designs. In November of 2023 North Carolina Department of Transportation approved the proposed plan and provided feedback to the engineering firm. The final design is a 480 foot long sidewalk at five feet in width on the eastern side of the existing bridge deck. There will be a small shift in vehicular lanes to accommodate for the sidewalk and a new type of railing will also be installed. This project also includes a pedestrian crossing over NC 126 to a future trailhead near canal bridge boat ramp.
The office of Community Development applied for Locally Administered Project funding, a funding opportunity through the GHMPO/WPCOG. These federal funds are administered and awarded through Metropolitan Planning Organizations across the state with concurrence from North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Locally Administered Project funds are specifically for multimodal transportation projects in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. Eligible projects include sidewalks, intersection improvements, public transit, bike lanes, greenways, and multi-use pathways. The GHMPO scores and select projects that are impactful for a community, improve safety, and close gaps in transportation. Recipients of Locally Administered Project Funding follow a rigorous pre-construction checklist which includes working with an engineer to develop plans, specifications, and cost estimates, processing required permits, acquiring right of way, and entering into municipal agreements all prior to bidding and awarding a construction contract while following federal regulations, state statutes, and NCDOT policies.
The grant funding requires a 20% local cash match. The Overmountain Victory North Carolina State Trail friends group and Friends of Fonta Flora each contributed $150,000 which greatly reduces the financial burden of the County through supportive partnerships. “Projects like this sidewalk section over Canal Bridge are complicated and years in the making but are critical for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Burke County is grateful for our community and trail partners, our engineering team at Mattern and Craig, and the NC DOT to get the plans completed and funding in place,” said Alan Glines, Community Development Director with Burke County.
The construction of this project will take place during the winter so as not to be in conflict with popular boating season.