The city Engineering Department held a very important public meeting at O’Keefe Middle School in April to discuss several inter-related road and sewer construction projects. Many aspects of these projects are needed to update critical infrastructure and were widely supported by those in attendance. However there were contentious portions of the proposals clearly counter to the approved neighborhood and Yahara River Parkway Master plans.
The city is proposing the following three activities:
right-of-way. This work would run between the sewer main crossing near Sparkle Auto Body to just short of E. Johnson Street. The work may begin on the sewer line in 2003 (or as soon as practical).
The audience was supportive of the underpass and the attention to detail regarding the appearance of the underpass was generally well received (see the bridge graphic). A considerable number of comments were strongly supportive of a second underpass on the east side of the river. Many in the audience stated cross-isthmus accessibility would be compromised if only the west side underpass is constructed.
As currently proposed the reconstruction of the E. Washington bridge (Steensland Bridge) in 2006 would develop underpasses on both sides of the river. A similar approach was strongly recommended for the E. Johnson bridge by many in attendance. The approved Yahara River Parkway master plan calls for two underpasses to allow slower paced pedestrian traffic on the east side of the river with a paved ped/bike path on the west side of the river. Stay tuned for developments on this issue.
The proposed sewer work and the repaving of N. Dickinson and E. Mifflin received very few comments, but were generally supported. The sewer work is vital for minimizing basement flooding in our neighborhood so the sooner this work is done the better.
The N. Thornton options generated considerable comments. A cul-de-sac on N. Thornton at E. Johnson would benefit residences and users of the parkway primarily by diminishing traffic related impacts. Traffic patterns would be changed because cars could no longer turn south on Thornton. The proposed cul-de-sac at Johnson Street is consistent with the approved neighborhood and Yahara River Parkway plans. A separate hearing will have to be held to discuss this option and related beneficial and adverse impacts.
The proposal for N. Thornton between E. Mifflin and E. Washington generated the most comments. The majority of the comments favored the approach described in the neighborhood and Yahara River Parkway master plans to eliminate N. Thornton and place the bike path along the road right of way. Some of the reasons given for removal of Thornton, in addition to implementation of the approved plans, include:
Great Big Pictures and Sparkle Auto Body are the two businesses most significantly affected by the removal of N. Thornton. They have expressed concerns about access to their businesses for employees, customers and delivery vehicles as well as the value of their current property use if vehicle access is constrained
City staff and the consultants are assessing the public comments and looking at a variety of issues including costs at this time. A second public meeting/hearing will probably be held late this summer or early fall to discuss these issues.
If you have comments about these activities please contact your alderperson, let the TLNA council know or contact members of the interested groups, such as the Friends of the Yahara River Parkway (Ed Jepsen or Margaret Bergamini) or the Bike Federation.
-Ed Jepsen
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Summer 2003 Table of Contents
