·        I remember when the 1^st bridge made of timber and steel was in place and there was an at-grade railroad crossing from Old Avon to Water Street.  I recommend looking into the possibility of reconstructing the at-grade crossing

·        Good Morning !
I just have a couple of comments...
Obviously, as the Belmont Bridge is one of the major entries into the city we need any new structure to fit in with the present structures - Visitors' Centre etc. -.  I was very glad to see that pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the process.
One thing we need is for the pedestrian crossing by Spudnuts to get flashing lights like the one at Hinton Ave. Many more people use the Spudnuts one, and very few cars bother to stop, especially when the traffic light is green ! I've seen, and been involved in some very scary situations at that crossing.
It would also be nice to have pedestrian access to the bus station and downtown mall during times that the Pavilion folks have the ramp blocked off. A flight of steps down the hill perhaps ?
Bike lanes, of course, are essential.
Thank You –

·        I realize that I'm past the deadline, but I would like to make a comment on the replacement Belmont bridge.

Please make it beautiful.  Not only is it used by lots of pedestrians and drivers, it is in a gateway location to our beautiful city, and quite visible from several other streets, notably Water Street and the transit center.

My model in this regard is a bridge that crosses the James River in Richmond, but I have not been able to find out its name.  There are several bridges of course; the one I refer to is quite old and is built of narrow concrete arches.

Considerations for pedestrians and bicycles are welcome.

Thank you for your time.

·        I am a mother of two living in Belmont.  I frequently stroll my two girls downtown using the Belmont Bridge. I was, unfortunately, not able to attend the community meeting held tonight. I'm excited that you are welcoming public input.  I have attached a document regarding some design ideas for the new bridge to be more pedestrian friendly. 

Again, thank you for the opportunity to be involved.

• We have an opportunity and a community that (I think) will support thoughtful design and attention to detail. Please take the time and raise the money needed to make this gateway a signature element in our city. In my opinion the Juvenile and Domestic Relation Court building renovation and addition is a good example of missed opportunity where a monumental building in a historic corner of the city fell far short of its potential. To be more blunt the design and execution of that building is an embarrassment.
  
  BELMONT BRIDGE COMMENTS 12/15/2010
  DESIGN FEATURES:
  On top: respond to aspects beyond traffic flow like train watchers, concert eavesdroppers, places to pause and admire the city, the sky, the bridge structure. See Other Thoughts.
  
  Under: make use of semi sheltered space for parking, shops, art, events, maybe farmers market.
  
  Shopping under S-Bahn bridge Berlin
  
  Troll sculpture under bridge, Seattle
  
  
  Marsupial Bridge urban plaza Milwaukee - http://www.archidose.org/Feb09/23/dose.html
  
  
  BIKE & PEDESTRIAN USERS:
  We must accommodate both. I am not convinced we need pedestrian or bike lanes on both sides. If there is only one pedestrian lane put it on west side closer to: mall, majority of businesses, pavilion and add a stair down Water Street.
  
  What if there were a wide (60”?) raised pedestrian only lane on the west side and wide (60”?) flush cycle, jog lane with a narrow (30” ? non-ADA) pedestrian lane on the east.
  
  Could bike lane be a center raised lane to double as barrier between directions or is that a bad idea?
  
  OTHER THOUGHTS:
  The shape of the bridge maybe most visible at night so lighting design is key and should not be an afterthought. Input from professional lighting designers may be useful.
  
  Should the design be more sensitive to the fabric of the city and avoid competing for visual impact with other elements in the area? To my eye simple, clean and well detailed moves though subtle can be the most elegant, show maturity/sophistication of design and may be more timeless and durable. The railing detail currently on the bridge is to me such a detail.
  
  
  
• Please find the attached (2) concept sketches showing a pedestrian underpass and a separate pedestrian bridge from the old bridge abutment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Thanks for accepting these as part of the Belmont Bridge design discussion.
  
  
  
• Instead of installing a bridge use oval shaped tunnels, which would connect the Downtown Mall to Belmont neighborhood. This would allow space on top for landscaping and the Farmer’s Market events. It would terminate at the Mall and in the Spud Nuts parking area and should accommodate any utility needs within the tunnel. I feel that this design would have greater long term maintenance benefits to the city. I also think that the railroad should pay a share of the cost and support the modifications for eliminating the over head restrictions.