Midlothian / Belt Boulevard Corridor Study (2014)

Started off trying to find information on any plans for sidewalks/bike lanes/multi-use path for Belt Boulevard and ended up coming across the Midlothian / Belt Boulevard Corridor Study from 2014 (PDF), a super detailed look at the area from just a little while back.

(Not too deep in there is a reference to a Belt Boulevard Sustainability Plan from 2009 that says “Corridor is unwelcoming for bike and pedestrian users: sidewalks are lacking, no bike infrastructure, public transportation is too infrequent and bus stops are not ADA compliant.” Not sure about the busses these days but that’s still an accurate description for trying to walk or bike on Belt Boulevard. I just want to be able to get to the Super Fresh.)

The 30 page plan traces the history of development along the corridor from the early days of hauling coal to the 1940-1950s suburban growth, it’s early 1970s heyday, and the latter westward movement of the commercial focus. The plan looks at the then current land use and zoning, the demographics of the area, and the natural and built environmental features.

The report refers to the approximately 2011 installation of curbs, gutters, turn lanes, sidewalks, landscaping, streetlights, storm drains and four transit bus pullouts on the two-mile portion of Midlothian Turnpike from Chippenham Parkway to Covington Street as part of a flood management project. Proves that we can make the inner-ring suburban corridors more pedestrian and bike accessible if we want to.

The report spotlights Gresham Woods as a future development spot. Apparently the large and still undeveloped parcel behind Rosie’s had a plan attached for single family housing around 2010 which seems to have expired.