Late last year, Albemarle County closed Free Bridge Lane to automobile traffic, creating a safe, riverside space for walking, running, and biking. At its August 6 meeting, the Board of Supervisors will discuss making the arrangement permanent.

Free Bridge Lane meets a critical need in our community: it is ideal for novices and people with mobility challenges and it is walking distance from multiple neighborhoods in both the City and the County. It provides the kind of everyday access to nature that we talk about all the time.

Please sign PEC’s petition requesting the following: 1) finalize the road closure, 2) fund and build a first wave of safety, access and environmental improvements, and 3) budget in coming years to construct the proposed promenade. We will forward the petition to County leaders when the time comes.

You can share your ideas for improvements, projects, activities, or events for Free Bridge Lane or contact the Board of Supervisors directly to thank them for the trial and urge them to expand it.