Northend Greenway

Walking and biking trail with fence beside the trail

The Northend Greenway is envisioned to be a 2.5-mile shared-use path connecting people in north Harrisonburg with places they want to go. From Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community to residential neighborhoods, Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern Mennonite School, Downtown Harrisonburg, and more. According to the Virginia Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Network, an average of 85 people enjoy biking and walking the Northend Greenway each day.

The Northend Greenway is being constructed in multiple phases. The City continues to work with stakeholders and funders to obtain the resources needed to build the remaining segments of the Greenway.

Phase I

Phase I of the Northend Greenway extends approximately 0.6 miles from the end of Suter Street, near North Liberty Street, to Mt. Clinton Pike at the railroad tracks. This phase was funded by City funds and matching funds from the VDOT Revenue Sharing Program. The Northend Greenway parallels Blacks Run for a significant distance and phase I of the path was accompanied by the restoration of Blacks Run along the path. Phase I of the project was completed in the Fall of 2019.

Mt. Clinton Pike Road Improvement

The Mt. Clinton Pike Improvements Project will improve safety for people walking, jogging, biking, and driving between Virginia Avenue (Route 42) and Park Road. The project will extend the Northend Greenway by building a shared-use path along the north side of Mt. Clinton Pike. Other aspects of the project include a left turn lane on Mt. Clinton Pike for turning onto Chicago Avenue and constructions of some segments of sidewalk on the south side of Mt. Clinton Pike.

Project Design Information

Whole project diagram [12MB]
Intersection details diagram [4MB]
Frequently Asked Questions. [1MB]

Project History

The project was initially intended to improve safety and accessibility by improving an offset intersection and adding separated bicycle and pedestrian accommodation. In 2014, the General Assembly passed House Bill 2, which restructured the way the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) awards transportation funds to localities. The legislative action significantly affected the Mount Clinton Pike Road Improvement project, which was well into the design phase of development at that time. The City attempted multiple times, unsuccessfully, to obtain the remaining necessary funding to complete the project under the new funding rules. Since it is significantly unlikely that construction funding can be obtained for the larger scope of the project, staff received VDOT approval to change the scope of the project to allow the City to use the balance of the previously-awarded (pre-2014) project development funds to complete a beneficial, but smaller, project.

Project Schedule:

Preliminary Engineering and Public Involvement - Spring 2021
Right of Way/Utilities - 2021- 2022
Construction - 2023/24

Related Projects:

Chicago Avenue Corridor Study - completed in 2013, this study makes recommendations for traffic, engineering, and land use along Chicago Avenue, Mt. Clinton Pike, Park Road, and Parkwood Drive.
Northend Greenway - Shared use path project between Park View area and Downtown Harrisonburg.

Brookside Phase

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase project plans include constructing a 10-foot-wide asphalt path between Roberts Court and the existing path at Jefferson Street, with a connection to Drake Lane. This path will create a safer and more continuous route for people walking and biking in this neighborhood and add to the overall 2.5 mile Northend Greenway Project. The project is funded through the VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program.

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase Open House Exhibit [13MKB]

Northend Greenway Brookside Phase Open House - March 19

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house style public hearing on March 19 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at Room 11 of Harrisonburg City Hall, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, to discuss the effort. Visual aids and staff were present at the open house for information.

Frequently Asked Questions & Public Questionnaire Summary - Coming Soon!

Project Schedule:

Public Outreach - 2024

Construction Planned - 2025

Monroe to Noll Study

This study evaluates opportunities to create bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure from the existing Northend Greenway at Monroe Street to Downtown Harrisonburg. An alignment for the path along the stream and other alternatives will be evaluated to identify a preferred concept for which the City can seek funding for construction.

The Harrisonburg Public Works Department hosted an open house on Thursday, September 5 at the The Loft at Liberty Street Mercantile, 76 West Gay Street, Harrisonburg.

The Northend Greenway Monroe to Noll Questionnaire closed October 5, 2024. Survey summary will be posted soon.

Open House Diagrams