Pedestrians, officials ready for new Capital Connector project

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Local and state officials are touting the latest upgrades coming to the Capital City.

Funding for the new Capital Connector project was announced earlier this week, with the City of Charleston set to get $25 million in grant funding from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.

The project is set to reconstruct an area of Kanawha Boulevard and Greenbrier Street. It will include new bike paths and crosswalks as well as new sheltered bus stops and improved lighting. Folks walking in Charleston say they’re happy with the idea of the changes.

“We just walked right down the sidewalk right here, and my son, well, actually, the cars are right there on the other side of the concrete barrier, so I put him on the other side for safety. But then, he tripped, and he almost fell down the embankment, and it’s like, let’s walk by the river. But then honestly, when I was over here on the sidewalk, I thought, that’s probably not the best choice, so I’m glad to hear you all are doing this,” said Pam Roberts, a tourist visiting Charleston.

Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin and US Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, were at Haddad Riverfront Park Friday morning for an announcement on the project. They say construction is set to begin in 2024.

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