02-15-2011 Final phase of Northside Trail moving forward

Home Browse Search

and convenience, bicyclist and pedestrian safety, preservation of historic features, constructability, diversion of traffic on adjacent streets, opportunities to develop amenities along the path, and affect on value of area properties. A sketch of the proposed Northside Trail is attached. It begins where the 2009 construction ended on Northside Boulevard at 21St Street. It will continue on the south side of the street, crossing Ironwood Drive and continue on Pleasant Street to 26th Street where it will turn south to Northside Boulevard, once again. The intersection of 26th and Northside is a crowded area. The "L- intersection" of the streets is bracketed by two historic landmarks — fieldstone walls constructed in the 1930's by Works Progress Administration workers as part of the economic stimulus of that time. Because of the arrangement of the streets, the walls, and utilities, it is not possible to include a multi- purpose trail and the streets between the walls without relocating the walls. The walls have suffered from frequent vehicle collisions and the spray of de -icing salt. The Trail plan proposes restoring and refurbishing the walls in place. The roadway will be closed to vehicular traffic from the southernmost driveway on 26th Street to 27th Street. The trail will be built between the walls and take advantage of the river views at this point. East of 27th Street, the eight feet wide concrete trail would be placed behind the Northside Boulevard curb but within the existing public right of way. This would continue on the south side east to 36th Street. Pending final design, the south curb of the boulevard will likely be moved to narrow the street and provide separation of bikers and joggers from vehicular traffic. Sufficient width will remain for two way traffic and parking spaces where off street parking is not available to residents. Another closure of Northside Boulevard would occur at 36th Street. Pavement would be left in place to provide vehicular access for residents of that block between 36th and Logan Street, but through traffic would be prohibited, as would turns from Logan to Northside. A safety plaza will be developed to help Trail users cross Logan Street. When this 1.1 mile project is completed the river walk portion of the City's multi- purpose pathways will total 11.1 miles. Bikeways and pedestrian paths in the City will total more than fifty miles. In addition to the river walk segments, multi - purpose paths free of motorized vehicles have been built in the City along Voorde Drive, Dylan Drive, and Portage Avenue. A segment is proposed along South Bend Avenue to connect Twyckenham Drive and Fredrickson Park with Perley School and Coquillard Park. The selection of the preferred alternative allows the City to move forward with the development of an Environmental Document that will consider impacts the project may have on historic and environmental resources. This Document involves review by local, state, and federal agencies. Review could not begin until the route was chosen. Once the Environmental Document is approved by the agencies it is released for public involvement. It is anticipated that the reviews will be complete and the City will be able to conduct the required public hearing by mid to late Spring. The time, date, and place of the public hearing will be announced via a press release, on the City's website, and through a legal notice in the South Bend Tribune.