The Fuzzy World 3um

With enthusiasm pent up over a decade, hundreds of cycling advocates argued passionately Tuesday night for a bike and pedestrian lane to be added to the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge.

About 250 residents turned out Tuesday for a fast-paced town hall meeting in Bay View. The overwhelming majority made their case that the time had come to provide access to nonmotorized traffic on the 2-mile span that connects I-794 and the Lake Freeway. In a rare sight, the bike racks and vehicle parking stalls outside the Beulah Brinton Community Center were filled equally. By one tally, supporters of the idea outnumbered opponents by 55 to 5. "I was shocked by the level of support out there," said state Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), one of the legislators who hosted the meeting.

Several residents raised questions about the cost and usefulness of a bike lane that they believe would be difficult to traverse in high winds and winter weather. Others objected to the potential that one of the six traffic lanes for cars and trucks would be turned over to slower-moving vehicles, creating congestion on a bridge that carries 40,000 vehicles daily. Supporters of the idea drew steady applause.

State road planners attended the meeting to gather input on the feasibility of a bike and pedestrian lane on the Hoan, which could be included in a large-scale reconstruction set to begin in 2013. According to Brian Roper, design supervisor for the project, the Wisconsin DOT will make its decision on the nonmotorized addition to the Hoan by late fall, . The decision on the bike lane would be folded into engineering work for the larger rehabilitation. Engineering for that project is set to be done next spring.

Roper said creation of a bike and pedestrian path, either on the bridge or on an addition, would fit into the estimate of $275 million to $350 million for reconstruction. Options being studied include closing one or more traffic lanes to accommodate nonmotorized vehicles; widening the bridge in some fashion to add the bike/pedestrian path; or suspending a secondary bridge under the structure.

A proposal to close a traffic lane was rejected in 2002, in part to maintain traffic flow during reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange. That project is finished, and the Hoan rehabilitation planning provides another opportunity to consider the options, Roper said. County Supervisor Patricia Jursik encouraged the DOT planners to think grand and consider the bike lane addition to the Hoan a "millennium project, if you will."

The majority at the meeting argued for a stretch of pavement separated from cars to make their commute easier. Supporters cited global politics and oil, the need to fight the growing obesity epidemic, potential tourism and transportation needs in making their argument.

Brent Emery, a bike shop owner and former Olympian, said the issue of adding bike and pedestrian accommodation on the Hoan fits into the larger question of what types of activity public officials want to support. Allowing people to bike and walk over the Hoan would show that they encourage active, healthy lifestyles, he said.

Alexander Pendleton, an attorney from Shorewood, said many elite cities allow bikers and pedestrians to use famous bridges. He cited San Francisco and New York as examples. Even Shorewood now has a first-class bridge, one that carries cyclists on the Oak Leaf Trail over Capitol Drive. "World-class cities have world-class bike and pedestrian infrastructure," Pendleton said. "Does Milwaukee want to be a world-class city or not?"

Other supporters said allowing people to bike, walk or run over the bridge would attract tourists to the Milwaukee lakefront and its amenities, including the Milwaukee Art Museum. The bike lane also would fill a missing link in the segment of the Oak Leaf Trail that extends south from Veterans Park to Grant Park. That route now follows city streets, and several cyclists said they are frightened riding S. 1st St. from Bay View to downtown. One cyclist challenged the DOT team in attendance to ride the Oak Leaf Trail and see the potential. You'll see this is such a no-brainer."

Earlier in the day, four Milwaukee aldermen issued a news release stating support for adding the extra accommodation to the Hoan. Robert Bauman, Tony Zielinski, James Witkowiak and Nik Kovak all touted the tourism benefits the bike and pedestrian access would provide.

DeWayne Johnson, southeast regional director of the DOT, said the meeting provided a good opportunity to gather input for the upcoming decision. A consultant will be reviewing the feasibility and analyzing the costs for the DOT.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/128291558.html By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

I would love to see the "marsupial" option, I think that may have the additional benefit of shelter from some of the elements. The separated-lane option would likely be the most cost-effective, however. And I don't see widening the bridge as a particularly good option; I suspect that it would change the way the Hoan looks, which is somewhat iconic along the lakefront.

_________________
-Fuzzy
President, Waukesha County Gandy Dancers model railroad club
Adviser, Little WISE Guys & Gals youth model railroad group
DM Rail Group: Milwaukee Franklin & Norway • South Fork • IndustRail • St. Louis Northern • Paris Coal Railway

The problem with the marsupial option is that it would greatly diminish a major selling point of the Hoan bike path: the view. You won't be able to see the full downtown skyline. But you're right that there would be a perk for commuters in that they'll be out of the precipitation.

I think the cantilever option would be best since it keeps all the traffic lanes intact. I don't think it would change the Hoan's look very much.