Sharing a Facebook update from Darryl Jordan last night:
*Finally, I just came back from the City of Fitchburg council meeting
during which the cycling proponents, who generally voiced their desire to
complete the Military Ridge Trail Bridge over McKee Road (County PD) by
Verona Road was enough impetus for the council to make a move to get the
bridge and its access completed this year but at the same time accept a
design change handed down by the DoT last night to make the access to
bridge from McKee Road tighter and less safe. *
*So the issue for future consideration, is in our rush to get the bike
routes we want NOW will, in hindsight, make the bike facilities harder to
manage (read: "less safe")?*
In the comments thread that ensued, also from Darryl:
*Either way, the bridge will still be usable. One city alder likened it to
freeway ramps with 55 mph limits versus 20 mph limits. So, turn radius was
part of the argument in Fitchburg tonight. *
*Another part was build it now while Verona road is being ripped apart. But
to do so, the bridge access had to be completed in time to take advantage
of state funding though the DoT, which devised a couple of plans. Plan East
infringed upon the space of a small company monument company. Plan West
infringed upon the space of another but larger business. Which side would
you pick without ruffling political feathers? The DoT sent down it's
decision for Plan East yesterday because it felt the council wouldn't
choose which which way to go in time. The council tabled the decision which
effectively put the design onus on DoT to avoid having to make a decision.
So, the the DoT plan will be enacted right away to the disapproval of the
small business. *
* So, when the access to bridge is finished and the Military Ridge Trail is
finally connected, and people start complaining, who's really to blame? The
council? Department of Transportation? The cyclists who want it done now?
The bigger business? The smaller business? Or will the project turn out
better than expected and nobody will pay attention to the issues because
they got to get to work or head out of town?*
Thank you to Steve Arnold, Darryl Jordan, the Wisconsin Bike Fed, and
everyone who helped make sure the voices of cycling were heard.
Peter Gray
*Another part was build it now while
Verona road is being ripped apart. But to do so, the bridge access had to
be completed in time to take advantage of state funding though the DoT,
which devised a couple of plans. Plan East infringed upon the space of a
small company monument company. Plan West infringed upon the space of
another but larger business. Which side would you pick without ruffling
political feathers? The DoT sent down it's decision for Plan East yesterday
because it felt the council wouldn't choose which which way to go in time.
The council tabled the decision which effectively put the design onus on
DoT to avoid having to make a decision. So, the the DoT plan will be
enacted right away to the disapproval of the small business. *
*So, when the access to bridge is finished and the Military Ridge Trail is
finally connected, and people start complaining, who's really to blame?*
*The council?*
*Department of Transportation?*
*The cyclists who want it done now?*
*The bigger business?*
*The smaller business?*
*Or will the project turn out better than expected and nobody will pay
attention to the issues because they got to get to work or head out of
town?*
Thank you to Steve Arnold, Darryl Jordan, the Wisconsin Bike Fed, and
everyone who helped make sure bicylists' voices were heard.
*I promised the Boys & Girls Club kids I'd raise **$5,000 *
*for them riding in Bike For Boys & Girls Club
<http://www.bike4bgc.com/>. **Would
you help? *
*Click here <https://www.bike4bgc.com/donate/?action=validate&id=62> to
pledge. Or join my team <http://www.bike4bgc.com/view_team_profile/?id=14>.
Tha**nk you!*
On Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 11:41 AM, Grant Foster <[email protected]> wrote:
> Steve,
>
> How did things go last night? Is there any clarity around the path forward?
>
> Grant
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 24, 2014 at 12:02 PM, Steve Arnold <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On 6/24/2014 1:46 AM, Mary Mullen wrote:
>>
>>> Seems like a messed up decision to me because of the reasons you
>>> mentioned.
>>>
>>> When they say DOT has "discussed this with Fitchburg," I wonder 2
>>> things: (1) if the "discussion" was only about taking authority back to
>>> make the decision or whether it was about the substance of the decision,
>>> and (2) with whom in Fitchburg did they "discuss" the decision.
>>>
>>
>> I am trying to learn these things.
>>
>>
>> Is it legal for WisDOT to give land purchased with state stewardship
>>> funding to a private business for their private parking.
>>>
>>
>> Yes, we'll need to provide comparable land in exchange, but there is an
>> adjacent MG&E-owned parcel that might fill the bill. The City must be a
>> willing partner--WisDOT can't force this. However, they can take their
>> bridge money and go home, I suppose.
>>
>> *Whether the City is a willing partner depends on the Vote of the
>> Council. That's where turnout tonight can make a difference.*
>>
>> I've been adding details to my note on Facebook (WisDOT letter, maps,
>> etc.). Monitor the situation here:
>> https://www.facebook.com/notes/steve-arnold/support-
>> the-military-ridge-state-trail-bridge-over-mckee-road/10152453161810751
>>
>> --
>> 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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>
>
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