Bikeway

Napier - Chestnut Hill Connection

Install Date:

Potential For Spring 2022

Description:

This project seeks to implement a tactical urbanism multi-modal connection from Napier to Chestnut Hill. It would stripe pop-up bike lanes on Wharf and 1st Ave, organize a major intersection (at Chestnut, Wharf, and Trimble), and provide way-finding from the Napier pedestrian bridge from Downtown to Chestnut St. Along with these improvements, a bike rail could be installed on both sides of the pedestrian bridge to connect the downtown bike network to South Nashvilles’. This installation would link a planned road diet on Chestnut and could be used as a way to advocate for the prioritization of that multi-modal street project. A big idea in this proposal is one that would build an elevated ADA connection from the pedestrian bridge down to the Sudekum Apartments which would not be a part of this proposal but is an idea to consider in future infrastructure needs. There is a large need for “cross-town connections” in Nashville and this could enhance neighborhood accessibility.

Purpose:

The main purpose of this project is to advocate for stronger crosstown connections through South Nashville. By undertaking this project we hope to:

  • bring attention to the Sobro Napier Pedestrian Bridge and advocate for ADA accessibility to the bridge.

  • highlight the need for a safer crossing across Lafayette near Lead Academy.

  • encourage Metro to implement the planned Chestnut St traffic calming project.

  • show how wayfinding can be used to build neighborway walk and bike networks.

Materials:

Roadway Paint, pavement marking tape, planters, bollards, bike rail, corrugated plastic wayfinding signs

Concepts:

Potential Road Configuration

Pedestrian Bridge (between Sobro and Napier) Ideas:

Learn More:

A Bridge Hidden in Plain Sight

(3 min read) Virginia Callen, spent her 3-week internship at the Design Center considering an improved placemaking experience for the community surrounding the 1-40 pedestrian overpass between Napier and SoBro. Her project included researching the history of the space, interviewing community members, and creating renderings.