2008-09-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Dr. Brown asked if the bridge could be narrower if parking is removed. Mr. Sprinkle said there would be no cost savings to do this and it would not help with the transition needed. Ms. Janiczek said the parking could be removed. Mr. Norris asked Ms. Janiczek to explain why the work is needed, and why it is important to stay on schedule. Ms. Janiczek said the bridge was identified as deficient in 1980 and was added to the VDOT six-year plan in the 1990s. She said full funding was allocated this year for the bridge. She said vehicular crossing of the bridge is restricted to eight tons, and it has a very low safety rating. Mr. Sprinkle said the bridge has the lowest safety rating in the state. He said it is critical to move forward as fast as possible. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Peter Hedlund, 204 Todd Avenue, President of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, thanked staff for keeping the neighborhood up to date. He asked that Council reiterate that the bridge be kept to 60’ or under. He said parking and dead space can be removed from the bridge. He said he hopes the bridge will be replaced as quickly as possible. Mr. Michael Petrus, 209 Todd Avenue, said it is not the neighborhood’s intention to slow the project down. He suggested removing the parking and moving the western edge of the bridge one bay south which could reduce the width by 7 1/2’. He requested that VDOT take one more look and remove one module from the bridge and reconfigure the traffic striping. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Huja asked where the remaining feet are on the bridge, and Mr. Sprinkle said in the raised median. Mr. Norris asked how the neighborhood arrived at the goal of 60’, and its motivation/concern about the bridge being tighter. Mr. Hedlund said the travel lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and median add up to 60’. He said he sees dead space on the bridge. He said the neighborhood ultimately wants the safest bridge possible built as soon as possible, but also wants it to reflect the residential character of the neighborhood. Mr. Huja said it seems 60’ would work except it would not match the existing sidewalk. He said he does not want to knowingly build something that is not safe. Dr. Brown said the project was revisited because the neighborhood did not want the project to overwhelm the neighborhood. He said staff and VDOT deserve thanks for relooking at the design. Dr. Brown said it is important that staff feel comfortable with the design and that it meet the neighborhood desires. He said he would like to see it smaller, but is comfortable where it is. Mr. Huja said we should make sure that the bridge design is attractive. Dr. Brown said the design should not be based on the parking. Mr. Norris agreed with Dr. Brown.