DOT set to share details, gather opinions on Hoan Bridge bike path
A meeting hosted by the Department of Transportation Monday night will give residents a two-hour opportunity to ask questions and share opinions about the proposal to add a bike and pedestrian lane on the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge.
The meeting in the DOT offices, 1001 W. St. Paul Ave., starts at 5 p.m. DOT planners will make a presentation at 5:15.
The proposal to unify bike paths on the north and south side of the bridge had drawn divided views.
Advocates call it a vital link in a 160-mile corridor of bike paths along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and an affordable addition that will serve commuters and attract tourists.
At a news conference on Wednesday, area legislators and champions of the Hoan Bridge bike path said they had gathered more than 6,000 signatures on petitions stating support of the addition.
Critics say the cost is too high at a time when the state has cut spending for schools and health care, and that the ride over the Hoan would be too steep and windy for most bicyclists.
Last month, the DOT presented five options that survived a feasibility study conducted by the engineering firm Graef USA. The costs range from $9.4 million to close a northbound traffic lane and build a 14-foot path separated from traffic by a concrete barrier, to $95.5 million for a separate structure to carry a bike path over the current bridge.
The full report on the alternatives can be found here.
Proposals that would maintain three lanes of traffic in each direction on the Hoan would cost upward of $95 million, and less-costly options would eliminate a northbound traffic lane and create traffic congestion during the morning and evening peaks.
The report said the bridge's capacity to carry traffic would be inadequate with only two northbound lanes. It also said that northbound traffic averaged 46 mph during the evening rush hour, with one lane closed during the recent repair project.
Even the bike path supporters have focused primarily on the $9.4 million alternative.
“It’s prudent to choose the least expensive option, and we encourage WisDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to look at ways to lower that cost,” wrote Dave Schlabowske, communications director for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. “For instance, if it saves money, bicyclists would be happy with a narrower path than the proposed 14 feet.”
A final recommendation will be part of the DOT’s plan to reconstruct the road way atop the 2-mile bridge. That work is expected to cost $275 million to $350 million and begin in 2013.
Federal guidelines for that work will impact the final decision on the Hoan bike lane.
Federal Highway Administration policy holds: “In any case where a highway bridge deck being replaced or rehabilitated with Federal financial participation is located on a highway on which bicycles are permitted to operate at each end of such bridge, and the Secretary determines that the safe accommodation of bicycles can be provided at reasonable cost as part of such replacement or rehabilitation, then such bridge shall be so replaced or rehabilitated as to provide such safe accommodations.”
“Bicyclists and pedestrians should be accommodated in new construction in corridors where there is current or potential demand. Under 23 U.S.C. 217(g), transportation plans must consider bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.”
There are exceptions, however, if the additional cost would exceed 20% of the reconstruction project or the bike lane would reduce the roadway capacity below adequate levels.
Of the proposed alternatives, the more costly options requiring structures added to the Hoan would likely exceed the 20% and the less-costly options would result in inadequate traffic flow, based on DOT estimates.
The FHWA also advised the state road planners to explore other options. One of them, an on-street bike path from Bay View to downtown Milwaukee is now being built. A segment of that path, the raised bike lane on Bay St., opened last month.
For those who cannot make it to the meeting the DOT is taking input through Nov. 30.
Options include email to the project manager at carolynn.gellings@dot.wi.gov, a letter to WisDOT’s Southeast Regional Office, P.O. Box 798, Waukesha, WI, comment on Facebook@HoanBridge Wisconsin DOT or Twitter@WIHoanBridge.
62 Comments for "DOT set to share details, gather opinions on Hoan Bridge bike path"
okiefo Nov 11, 2011 10:40 PM
okiefo Nov 11, 2011 10:40 PM
okiefo Nov 11, 2011 10:42 PM
mikerichards523 Nov 11, 2011 11:22 PM
mikerichards523 Nov 11, 2011 11:23 PM
MU82 Nov 11, 2011 11:36 PM
HOwever, lets be reasonable: Ive seen the results of the study and it just doesnt appear to be feasible to have that path. It sucks but thats life: due to the cost concerns I would be in favour of having the option of replacing one northbound lane of traffic with a bike path, but looks like this cant happen because in 10-some years 2 lanes will not be enough. Thats fine, lets move on, and this is what I propose:
It is a fact that there is great public demand for safe bike passage between bay view and east side.. all you proverbial "fiscal conservatives" can shut it, because you simply dont know. Now: i wonder if this is at all possible to re-allocate the money intended to be spent on Hoan bridge bike path for making an off the street bike path? $10M used on land as opposed to 300ft in the air can go a LOOONG way establishing a good, safe, off the street rout between Bay View and East side. At a fraction of a cost too! Look at the satellite images: there is plenty of unused land, including an abandoned railroad right of way i believe (thats just begging to become a paved trail)
At this point I will take ANYTHING so I dont have to ride on 1st/2nd streets to get where i need to.
Also, with money saved, we can maybe get a safer way to Hank Aaron trail from the lakefront!
blathmac Nov 12, 2011 12:59 AM
I ride that bridge everyday. I do 50, the speed limit, and am regularly passed by the other traffic.
It is windy, but I can handle that wind in my truck and on my motorcycle.
Bottom line, on the Hoan, there's no place to go if you are struck. You could get thrown over the edge fo the bridge. You could get thrown into oncoming traffic. You could get struck from behind.
I'll admit all of that could happen on a typical street (1st street even) to a cyclist; but you have to be absolutely insane or delusional to think that the Hoan is a better option given it's location.
BrotherT Nov 12, 2011 5:31 AM
CHULTINE Nov 12, 2011 8:46 AM
MU82 Nov 12, 2011 4:06 PM
MU82 Nov 12, 2011 4:08 PM
MkeEagle2 Nov 12, 2011 6:19 PM
Do we need to go for a hike at Whitnall park?
Do we need to play golf at one of the many golf courses?
Do we need to see what a tropical forest looks like in winter at the Domes?
Do we need to ride a bike or hike over the Hoan Bridge?
The answer to all of these questions is NO. We don't NEED to do any of these things, but they are fun attractions that families and individuals alike can enjoy and are part of what makes living in the MKE area great. Like the bike lane most of these attractions aren't used much from December thru Frebruary. The bike lane on the bridge would be an atraction to most, something you go out of your way to get to and use.
Unfortunately this project has come at an economic time that most of have never experianced in our lives. Would I like to see this happen, yes. Do I think it will given the current state of affairs, no. But we fight for what we want, its what makes us the US.
ride no evo Nov 13, 2011 1:30 AM