Design Preview Summary

The following is a summary of the responses to questions asked as well as comments received during the Public Design Preview on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Please see the "Additional Emailed Comments" page for those comments received via email.


Answers to Questions Posed by Public

Past funding is made of state and federal allocations (20%/80%) and revenue sharing grants (50% local/50% state).  Both are being pursued for remaining balance.

Existing pedestrian fencing will remain along the railroad.

Staircase from bridge to Water Street will remain open during Pavilion events. (Comment from public – staircase should be replaced by (or include) ramp). As proposed, bridge project is ADA compliant.

An at-grade RR crossing was not explored instead of replacing the bridge due to safety concerns.

Staircase leading down to Old Avon (in graffiti wall) to remain (though replaced).

Lighting designed per city code (dark sky compliant) and standards (light fixture).

Bike lanes will be 5’.

Federal requirements do not require sidewalk on both sides of bridge though pedestrian access must be maintained in some form.

Graffiti wall will remain.

Traffic pattern will match existing across the bridge.

Plan view drawings will be available in draft form on the website and at the Public Hearing.

BAR presentation on 9/20 will be the same as this one tonight and will include public comment summary from tonight’s meeting.

Design Public Hearing is tentatively scheduled for Nov/Dec 2011.

Travel lanes will not be divided by physical barrier.

Can there be a pedestrian crossing at the middle of the bridge? Not safe due to vertical sight distance and horizontal curve of bridge.

Materials for the bridge railings are composed of concrete and steel.  Steel can be painted any color (currently shown as black).

Estimated project cost is $14.5 million.

It is possible that the city could contribute more money for specific elements of the design.

The bridge deck can be widened slightly with cantilever supports.

The bridge was designed in the footprint of the existing bridge.  (Comment from public – new bridge should be smaller/shorter).

A pocket park replaces the old on-ramp to Water Street section (the Pavilion corner) of the bridge.

The design cost of the project currently is under $1 million.

Is it possible to combine sidewalks to one side to reduce sidewalk width and increase options for trees on bridge?

Public Comments

Transition from bike lanes at the intersections must be considered (esp. left turns).

Garrett/Levy intersection needs to be improved from existing condition.

Add more shade trees to the design.

Aesthetics need to be improved - there’s no change from the existing structure. 

Keep the physical median separation.

There are a lot of good functional changes (barrier between sidewalk & road, staircase to Water Street) that have been made however would like to see more changes to aesthetics (ex. prefer landscaping barrier or wall breaks between road and sidewalk).

Make street lights solar if possible.

Include gateway elements at the start of the bridge (arches, signs, columns etc.).

Widen sections of the west side sidewalk for pedestrians.

Use of brick ‘dilutes’ Downtown Mall – remove brick.

Add periodic breaks to barrier between sidewalk and roadway.

There’s too much interest shown on the stair tower. Move focus to aesthetic treatment.

Priorities should be 1) Pedestrians 2) Cyclists and 3) Drivers.

Add 6 pedestrian off ramps for better pedestrian flows.

Make bridge design simpler and add spectacular pedestrian bridge next to it.

Make design with less brick, update lights, and more modern.

Make it more welcoming to pedestrians and “feel fresh”.

Separate pedestrian and cyclist uses from car traffic.

Use a combined “shared use path”.

While a fan of modern architecture, need to maintain historic character of surroundings for tourism.

Create traffic calming by bringing closer together the barriers to funnel traffic.

Bring Route 76 over bridge.

Strive for Gateway & Iconic themes.

Replace barrier with planted separation.

Connect bicyclist from bridge to Transit Center/Water Street.

Reduce scope & funding.

Look at different roadway alignment, move parking lot, shorten bridge, lower height where possible.

Widen sections of west side sidewalk for views of the city.

‘Terrace’ the sidewalk and bike lane and travel lane without the use of a barrier.

Have a shared use path that separates bicyclists and pedestrians.

Need more aesthetics on the barrier walls.

Terrace the sidewalk and bike lane separated by barrier wall from roadway.

Use bulkier light poles, not ‘19th century’ look.

Ask for more funding to add 4’ more width to pedestrian path.

Spend funding on pedestrian travelway vs. pocket parks.

Look at moving the 2 travel lanes from center to one side with bike and pedestrians to the other side.

Summary Themes

Enhance pedestrian experience

Maximize/widen path – move to one side if necessary, avoid entrapment within barrier

Separation between pedestrians, bicyclist, motorist

Provide more trees/shade/green barrier if possible

Allow for sojourns along bridge

 

Enhance gateway experience

Provide architectural element to delineate bridge from roadway

Keep aesthetic treatments modern/minimize 

Streetlighting – City Standard/Non-standard