I am sorry to report that Tuesday night, 8/28, the Fitchburg Council
voted against the staff-recommended Cannonball Path design 4-3-0, so
there will be no safety island to permit Cannonball Path users to cross
Seminole Highway one lane at a time. After the safety island design was
defeated, an alternative to provide path-user-actuated rectangular
rapidly flashing beacons (RRFDs) at both the Cannonball and Capital City
Trail crossings of Seminole was approved. While I'm grateful for the
RRFDs, I am disappointed that we won't get the speed calming effects of
the safety island on motor vehicles on Seminole Highway.
There will be no lighting on the path in the Fitchburg section, but the
Council retained the underground conduit for future lighting as a
optional bid item in case bids are favorable and it fits into the
project budget.
My thanks go to the mayor (who could not vote--no tie) and Alds. Becky
Baumbach and Patrick Stern for arguing for the safety island, and Tim
Wong, Richard Collins, and a member of the Dunns Marsh Allied
Neighborhood Council (whose name I did not get) for coming to City Hall
to testify. I am particularly grateful to our Transportation Projects
Engineer, Ahna Bizjak, for her professional advice, grace under
questioning, and staying out late to advise us.
While there will be no safety island, we must not lose sight of the fact
that in 2013 this awsome, new, year-around, direct, flat, paved commuter
path will be built from the Military Ridge Trail at McKee and Verona
Roads over its own Beltline overpass to the north frontage road near
Culvers, with a boardwalk connection to the Belmar neighborhood, the
Whenona Drive overpass over the Beltline, and points north (e.g.,
Cherokee Middle School). Many thanks to the City of Madison for the
overpass and the already complete reaches by Leopold School.
I can't wait!
On 8/27/2012 4:50 PM, Steve Arnold wrote:
At meetings beginning at 6:30 the Fitchburg Finance Committee, and at
7:30 the Fitchburg Common Council, will consider a resolution to approve
the staff design of Fitchburg's portion of the Cannonball Path.
Staff has proposed, and the Transportation and Transit Commission has
recommended, widening of Seminole Highway where the Path crosses, and a
ten-foot wide safety island, so Path uses may cross Seminole Hwy one
lane at a time. This will be particularly important when Verona Road
construction starts next year, as considerable traffic will use Seminole
Hwy to avoid the construction.
Fitchburg's Board of Public Works has amended the design to remove the
safety island, citing cost and "safety" concerns. (One member said
safety islands make him feel less safe, I presume while driving.)
I will argue for the safety island, as recommended by staff. The
widening to accomodate the island will have a traffic calming effect,
which staff hopes to use to argue for a lower speed limit (e.g., 30 MPH
instead of the current 40 MPH) from the Madison limits through the
intersections of the Cannonball Path, Dawley Drive, and the Cap City
Trail. The lower speed limit will improve safety not only for
Cannonball users, but also for Cap City Trail users and cyclists on
Seminole Hwy.
The Dunns Marsh neighborhood Association supports the safety island.
The funding for the staff-proposed safety island has already been
approved by the Common Council in the capital improvement program.
Saving the money for the safety island is not a good tradeoff for the
safety of trail users. Citizens speaking at Council members can have a
powerful effect on the Council members. If you have an opinion on this
matter, please consider registering to speak in support. You can also
let your Alders know your opinion directly by e-mail. Our addresses are
at http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/government/commonCouncil/.
Background: The Path will follow the old Union Pacific right-of-way
from the Military Ridge Trail at McKee Road northwest to the "bicycle
interchange with the Capital City Trail, Southwest Path, and Badger
State Trail, along the Arboretum and Arbor Hills neighborhood, past
Leopold School, and finally cross the Beltline on its own overpass
between Kayser Ford and Culvers. It will be an awsome commuter route
from soutwest Dane County to the Fish Hatchery Road and Park Street
Corridors. The Beltline overpass and Fitchburg portions of the trail
will be built next year. Snow will be removed for winter commuting.
There is a map at
http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/departments/cityHall/publicWorks/CannonballPath.php.
(Lighting: For those of you interested in whether the Path will be
lighted, c.f. Madison's Southwest Commuter Path, the Madison portion of
the Cannonball will be lighted. The Fitchburg portion will *not* be
lighted initially, but underground work for future lighting of the
Fitchburg portion has been recommended as a bid option, in case
favorable bids allow it to fit into the project budget.)
--
Steve Arnold, Fitchburg Alder, District 4, Seat 7
2530 Targhee Street, Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711-5491
Telephone +1 608 278 7700 · Facsimile +1 608 278 7701
[email protected] · http://Arnold.US
Become a supporter: like http://facebook.com/ArnoldforAlder.
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