News7 has learned city budget cuts could delay future plans for the Roanoke Greenway. Construction is currently underway to extend the Greenway from Wasena Park to the Vic Thomas Park. This week, workers are installing the bridge that will go over the Roanoke River. The work should be completed by November.
Later this fall, workers will then begin construction from the Vic Thomas Park to the Bridge Street crossing. This section is fully funded and will cost about three million dollars. City and federal money is being used to pay for the project. It will include two bridges over the Roanoke River and should take about a year to complete.
The next and final phase is from the Bridge Street crossing to the city of Salem. This stretch is currently not funded because of city budget cuts. News7 has confirmed the Greenway Commission is looking into the possibility of paying for that portion of the Greenway. It could cost up to five million dollars. The Commission is studying applying for federal grants and then raising the rest through private donations. A Commission spokesperson says this is all in the early stages. The group hopes to firm up plans within the next month.
