Project News
We are excited to announce that the Granby Street Bike Lane project in Norfolk is moving into the construction phase after several years of planning and community engagement. The project, officially posted on the City’s procurement site on January 31, 2025, is currently in the bidding process, with bids being accepted until late February. Following a thorough review and verification of these bids, the City’s Department of Transportation will finalize the contract with the selected contractor.
Once the contractor is officially on board, public notifications will be disseminated to keep residents informed about any potential impacts on Granby Street and neighboring areas. Construction is anticipated to commence in the spring, marking a significant step forward for bicycle infrastructure in Norfolk.
Beyond the dedicated bike lanes, this project also encompasses the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at five key intersections and a pedestrian hybrid beacon. These safety enhancements are designed to significantly improve pedestrian crossings along Granby Street. The RRFBs will be strategically placed at the Dumont Avenue, Elvin Road, Fife Street, Oxford Street, and Talbot Hall Road intersections. Furthermore, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, which halts traffic with a red signal upon pedestrian activation, will be implemented to provide an even safer crossing environment.
Project Location
The Granby Street bike lane project spans Granby Street in Norfolk, Virginia, between Willow Wood Drive and Admiral Taussig Boulevard, situated just south of the I-564 overpass. This location is central to improving connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians in this part of the city.
Project Information
Initiated in 2021, the City of Norfolk Department of Transportation collaborated closely with the community to develop this project. The primary goal is to implement bike lanes on Granby Street, from Willow Wood Drive to Admiral Taussig Boulevard, by reconfiguring an existing vehicle lane in each direction. This lane repurposing will create dedicated spaces for cyclists, enhancing safety and promoting multimodal transportation options. In conjunction with the bike lanes, the city and community identified additional improvements to pedestrian safety and multimodal access at various points along Granby Street.
The project received a significant boost in January 2022 when the City Council approved the acceptance of SMART Scale funding. This approval marked the conclusion of the initial Project Development phase. Since early 2023, the Transportation Department team has been diligently working on developing the 60% designs for the bike lanes, ensuring a well-planned and effective implementation.
For deeper insights into the project development process, you can explore the Project Fact Sheet (PDF) and the Project Q&A Sheet (PDF), both updated on January 10, 2022. These documents provide comprehensive details about the project’s background and planning stages.
Public Outreach
Design Phase Engagement
The project team held a public community meeting on January 18, 2024, at the Tabernacle Church of Norfolk (7000 Granby St) from 5:30-7pm to present and discuss the 60% designs. As the project progresses through the Design phase, ongoing engagement with the community and local stakeholders remains a priority to ensure the final design effectively meets the needs of Norfolk residents.
Construction Phase Updates
Residents can expect to receive public notifications via mail, the City website, and other channels regarding construction activities. We encourage you to revisit this page for the latest information as it becomes available. The Granby Street bike lane project represents a significant investment in Norfolk’s transportation infrastructure, promising enhanced safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Project Development History
The project’s development benefited from extensive public input throughout several phases. The first round of public outreach included a virtual workshop on March 11, 2021, and an online survey accessible from March 11 to April 13, 2021.
A second virtual workshop followed on June 29, 2021, focusing on traffic study results and preliminary design concepts derived from the initial public feedback. The subsequent public comment period extended until October 22, 2021.
The final phase of public outreach involved an in-person open house at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Newport Avenue on September 22, 2021. This event provided an opportunity for residents to directly engage with City of Norfolk representatives and discuss the proposed Granby Street Bike Lanes. Project team members also attended civic league and task force meetings in Fall 2021 to provide project updates and address community questions.
Email updates are regularly distributed to workshop participants and are available to others upon request. To receive email updates, please contact us. Project updates are also consistently posted on this webpage and the City of Norfolk’s official social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor, ensuring broad access to information for all interested parties.
