Hello everyone:
I found the following article in the weekly newspapers a bit of a head shaker Councillor Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) and Jim Maloway, NDP canadidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, are trying to argue that peds and cyclists are not actually safer with a separate bridge.
Here's the link plus I've pasted the text below: http://www.canstarnews.com/page/story/the_metro/3404
cheers, Beth
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Maloway, Thomas opposed to bridge plan
By Jolie Toews Oct. 2, 2008
Two local politicians say the citys recent decision to build a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists between the Disraeli and Louise bridges wont make it safer for users and isnt worth the expense.
On Sept. 24, city council voted 11-4 in favour of the Disraeli Bridge rehabilitation project that calls for repairs to the existing single-span, four-lane roadway that connects Henderson Highway with Main Street.
The $140-million plan includes replacement of the bridge deck, refurbishment of the concrete foundations and steel bridge girders and widened shared vehicle and cyclist curb lanes with one pedestrian sidewalk.
The plan also includes a new $15-million bridge for cyclists and pedestrians to be located east of the Disraeli Bridge over the Red River.
Coun. Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) voted against the plan, saying it didnt make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and didnt address the expected traffic disruptions during the bridges closure while it undergoes repairs.
It makes no sense to spend $15 million there, said Thomas, adding that the plan should have included a sidewalk on each side of the Disraeli Bridge instead of a separate bridge solely for pedestrian and cyclist use.
Thomas said having a single sidewalk on the east side of the Disraeli Bridge isnt safe for pedestrians who are leaving or going to the north side of the bridge on the west side of Henderson Highway because they have to walk under the bridge to get across.
I think my area is pretty safe, but thats not a safe area, said Thomas, referring to the area just south of the Elmwood Cemetery.
Jim Maloway, NDP candidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, said the new bridge could create safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists because they would be removed from most people who would be willing to help them if they were in danger.
Maloway said he doesnt think its worth spending $15 million on building the new bridge.
Why would you build a bicycle bridge between two existing bridges when it probably wont be used much in the winter time and probably not very much at night because of the area it leads into? he said.
Maloway said he is still fighting for a two-span, six-lane Disraeli Bridge.
We need the second span, because the city, itself, says well need it in 20 years, said Maloway, a former NDP MLA.
Maloway said he is still collecting signatures from people in the area who are opposed to the plan to close the bridge for up to 16 months for repairs and would prefer a second span.
The city said the plan is the most functional and cost-effective way to preserve the Disraeli Bridge for at least the next 75 years.
The city said it decided not to build a two-span, six-lane bridge because additional traffic lanes are not necessary for the traffic volumes in the near future.
Approximately 40,000 vehicles currently cross the Disraeli Bridge every day.
City officials have said daily traffic volumes upwards of 60,000 vehicles would merit consideration of expanding the bridge to six lanes. The estimated cost of building a six-lane structure is $300 million.
Elmwood business owner Jan Stuyck, a member of the stakeholder advisory committee for the project, supports a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
It is safer, by far, she said.
Stuyck said she is concerned about people walking and cycling alongside traffic on the Disraeli Bridge.
If they fall, theyre right there under the traffic, she said.
The city approved plans for a public-private partnership to repair the existing structure. One of the objectives is to complete construction in the shortest possible time and, if possible, only partially close the bridge. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.
Thomas said she is unhappy that the community didnt have enough time to find out about the new plan.
People in the area are feeling like theyre being picked on, Thomas said, pointing to the citys decision to tear down the Kelvin Community Centre and its decision not to build a second span for the Disraeli.
I agree with their opinion, that for pedestrians a two span bridge with two sidewalks would be much safer. I do not know what provisions would be included to ensure bicyclist safety also though. Does anyone else know? How could it be done? Bikes and pedestrians are not safe on the same level surface, so perhaps a curb separation between the pedestrian sidewalk and bike sidewalk with a curb between bikes and vehicles too. I am a pedestrian with a visual impairment, thus my desire for physical separation. I can't safely cross the Chief Peguis Trail bridge due to the bike hazard. I do want all of us to travel safely. Ainley
----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth McKechnie" beth@resourceconservation.mb.ca To: at-network@lists.umanitoba.ca Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:10 AM Subject: [At-network] Disraeli ped/cyclist bridge follow-up
Hello everyone:
I found the following article in the weekly newspapers a bit of a head shaker - Councillor Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) and Jim Maloway, NDP canadidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, are trying to argue that peds and cyclists are not actually safer with a separate bridge.
Here's the link plus I've pasted the text below: http://www.canstarnews.com/page/story/the_metro/3404
cheers, Beth
Maloway, Thomas opposed to bridge plan
By Jolie Toews Oct. 2, 2008
Two local politicians say the city's recent decision to build a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists between the Disraeli and Louise bridges won't make it safer for users and isn't worth the expense.
On Sept. 24, city council voted 11-4 in favour of the Disraeli Bridge rehabilitation project that calls for repairs to the existing single-span, four-lane roadway that connects Henderson Highway with Main Street.
The $140-million plan includes replacement of the bridge deck, refurbishment of the concrete foundations and steel bridge girders and widened shared vehicle and cyclist curb lanes with one pedestrian sidewalk.
The plan also includes a new $15-million bridge for cyclists and pedestrians to be located east of the Disraeli Bridge over the Red River.
Coun. Lillian Thomas (Elmwood-East Kildonan) voted against the plan, saying it didn't make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and didn't address the expected traffic disruptions during the bridge's closure while it undergoes repairs.
"It makes no sense to spend $15 million there," said Thomas, adding that the plan should have included a sidewalk on each side of the Disraeli Bridge instead of a separate bridge solely for pedestrian and cyclist use.
Thomas said having a single sidewalk on the east side of the Disraeli Bridge isn't safe for pedestrians who are leaving or going to the north side of the bridge on the west side of Henderson Highway because they have to walk under the bridge to get across.
"I think my area is pretty safe, but that's not a safe area," said Thomas, referring to the area just south of the Elmwood Cemetery.
Jim Maloway, NDP candidate in the federal riding of Elmwood-Transcona, said the new bridge could create safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists because they would be removed from most people who would be willing to help them if they were in danger.
Maloway said he doesn't think it's worth spending $15 million on building the new bridge.
"Why would you build a bicycle bridge between two existing bridges when it probably won't be used much in the winter time and probably not very much at night because of the area it leads into?" he said.
Maloway said he is still fighting for a two-span, six-lane Disraeli Bridge.
"We need the second span, because the city, itself, says we'll need it in 20 years," said Maloway, a former NDP MLA.
Maloway said he is still collecting signatures from people in the area who are opposed to the plan to close the bridge for up to 16 months for repairs and would prefer a second span.
The city said the plan is the most functional and cost-effective way to preserve the Disraeli Bridge for at least the next 75 years.
The city said it decided not to build a two-span, six-lane bridge because additional traffic lanes are not necessary for the traffic volumes in the near future.
Approximately 40,000 vehicles currently cross the Disraeli Bridge every day.
City officials have said daily traffic volumes upwards of 60,000 vehicles would merit consideration of expanding the bridge to six lanes. The estimated cost of building a six-lane structure is $300 million.
Elmwood business owner Jan Stuyck, a member of the stakeholder advisory committee for the project, supports a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
"It is safer, by far," she said.
Stuyck said she is concerned about people walking and cycling alongside traffic on the Disraeli Bridge.
"If they fall, they're right there under the traffic," she said.
The city approved plans for a public-private partnership to repair the existing structure. One of the objectives is to complete construction in the shortest possible time and, if possible, only partially close the bridge. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.
Thomas said she is unhappy that the community didn't have enough time to find out about the new plan.
"People in the area are feeling like they're being picked on," Thomas said, pointing to the city's decision to tear down the Kelvin Community Centre and its decision not to build a second span for the Disraeli.
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Ainley Bridgeman -
Beth McKechnie