HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-2011 Final phase of Northside Trail moving forwardOFFICE OF THE MAYOR
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
9:30 am
Contact: Carl Littrell, City Engineer, (574) 235 -9251
Mikki Dobski, Communications & Special Projects, (574)235 -5855, 876 -1564
Final phase of Northside Trail moving
forward
South Bend, IN: Plans for connecting South Bend's river walk system to Mishawaka
continue to move forward. The preferred alternative for the final phase of Northside
Trail, a multi - purpose path along Northside Boulevard from 26th Street to Logan Street,
has been chosen. Throughout 2010, the City solicited comments through focus group
meetings and the City's website regarding four (4) alternatives for the route. With the
assistance of consulting engineer, Lawson - Fisher Associates P.C., the City has selected
Alternative No. 2 as best meeting the purpose and need of the project.
The project design is charged with meeting "City Plan" and River Park
Neighborhood Association goals:
• Promote recreation by creating new park facilities and recreation opportunities
(City Plan)
• Provide access to St. Joseph River and views (City Plan)
• Maintain trees as much as possible (City Plan)
• Provide traffic calming on neighborhood streets (City Plan)
• Preserve, maintain, improve local parks and river corridor (RPNA)
• Outreach — promote RPNA resources (RPNA)
• Promote safety and crime prevention (RPNA)
• Architecture — "green," safety and beauty (RPNA)
The alternative was selected after meeting with the public in March, 2010 to seek
input on design features and subsequent meetings with a River Park neighborhood- centric
focus group. During this process, a scoring matrix was developed to show how each
alternative met the above goals and project specific needs such as Nuner School safety
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.
Upon completion of the public involvement requirements for the project, the City
anticipates bidding on the project for Fall 2011 with construction to be underway in
Spring 2012. Funding for the project is based on an 80/20 (federal to local) split which
translates to $1,500,000 in federal funds and $375,000 from local matching funds for a
total cost of $1,875,000.
NOTE: Carl Littrell will be available for interviews, this week, to
further discuss this project.
Mikki Dobski, Dir.
.7I,,ar Communications and Special Projects
1400 County -City Bldg
e So. Bend, IN 46601
p j 574 - 235 -5855 w
574 -876 -1564 c
:mss 574- 235 -9892 fax
mdobski (a)south bend I N.gov
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