Pedestrian Transportation Plan, Black Mountain, North Carolina

Project Description > In April of 2007, town staff, local residents, project consultants, and a representative from the North Carolina Division of Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation met to begin work on the Town of Black Mountain Pedestrian Transportation Plan. This Plan is part of a statewide matching grants program from NCDOT that is designed to support local communities in their efforts to plan for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

The Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee was selected for their useful expertise in related fields. At the first Steering Committee meeting, in late April 2007, participants agreed that the vision for the Pedestrian Plan should be derived from the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.  This was done to ensure consistency with existing planning efforts, and because the existing vision statement is coherent with the aspirations of the Steering Committee:

“We see Black Mountain as one of the most walkable communities in the region. We see the entire community, from school-aged children to senior citizens, out walking in the normal course of each day’s activities. Sidewalks border nearly every street, and are connected to a communitywide network of trails, walking paths, and bikeways. In most parts of town, speed limits are kept purposefully low and are strictly enforced. Reliable bus and passenger train services support the pedestrian and cut down on the use of cars, thereby alleviating traffic congestion.” (Black Mountain Comprehensive Plan, page D-10).

The main goal of the Pedestrian Plan is to make this vision a reality.  More specific goals will be established as public input is gathered, and as the steering committee contributes further to the development of the plan.