Cabin fever: during this winter and flu season, each of us can empathize with someone feeling trapped in a hospital room. It can make your joints dusty, your brain buzzy, and your emotions unstable. For those suffering long-term in a hospital, it’s easy to acquire the co-morbid disease of cabin fever, away from familiar surroundings and loved ones. But imagine the chance to take the wheelchair outside, strolling or rolling on the freshly paved shared use path along with joggers, lunchtime walkers, and midday cyclists. Freedom!
There’s nothing like the fresh country air in Augusta County and now hundreds of folks can enjoy it safely up and down Lifecore Drive. This locally administered project has linked Augusta County’s most concentrated business and medical district with an attractive shared use path. Other shared use paths in the area are now rendered more useful, as this last piece of the puzzle joins them all.
Who?
Project owner Augusta County partnered with Timmons Group to utilize their VDOT SMART SCALE funding on the shared use path (SUP). The Timmons Group-developed path welcomes cyclists, wheelchairs, walkers, runners, and other non-motorized vehicles.
What? Where?
This fresh new SUP is 0.65 miles long and runs adjacent to Route 636 (Lifecore Drive). As mentioned, it connects the previously-constructed SUPs near Lifecore Drive, allowing someone to begin their safe SUP journey in the heart of Augusta Health medical facility, hang a right onto Tinkling Spring Road (Rt. 285/608) and continue almost to Ramsey Road. That’s 3.3 miles of freedom before turning around and returning to the starting point, thanks to this final connective slice of the puzzle.
When?
Construction began in early July 2017 and finished by October 27, 2017.
Why?
Not only do folks have the opportunity to take in their fine countryside views along the busy corridor, but Timmons Group’s improvement also added curb and gutter in several locations. This improvement will ensure proper storm drainage in what is bound to be a well-trafficked area in years to come.
When you’re on route to Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, Roanoke, or other beloved cities, schedule your first stop at the Fishersville exit 91 for a little relief from car cabin fever. Your friendly Timmons Group engineer made it just for you.
