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225 <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert said that the possibility of widening the passageway next to the <br />Jefferson Park Avenue Bridge was discussed, but the Virginia Department of <br />Transportation (VDOT) will not extend it without authorization from Norfolk Southern <br />Railroad. Mr. Tolbert said the bridge is in very poor condition and staff want to move <br />ahead with the project, noting that even if Norfolk Southern approved the passageway <br />today, it would take another two years to resign and would cost $28 million, for which <br />there is no funding available. The design calls for a two-lane bridge with medians, 5 foot <br />sidewalks and bike lanes. <br /> <br /> Regarding Fontaine Avenue, Mr. Tolbert said that it was designed to create a <br />more livable street and attractive entrance corridor, and will be two-lanes, with turn lanes, <br />medians and bike lanes. Mr. Tolbert said that Council is being asked to approve the two <br />resolutions approving the design of the Bridge and Fontaine Avenue, and noted that <br />funding is available for both projects as currently designed. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. Tolbert said Fontaine Avenue will <br />not be a continuous three lane road, and Ms. Richards said the turn lanes will be textured <br />lanes, not medians, <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he recalls that Council has had significant discussion about the <br />design of the Fontaine Avenue project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked about the median on the Bridge, and Mr. Tolbert said he believes it <br />will be a slightly raised median. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he does not understand the purpose of the median on the Bridge, and <br />said he does not think that 5 foot sidewalks are very wide. He said he would prefer a two- <br />lane road with no mediar~ Mr. Cox asked if the City has control over the design of the <br />bridge itself, and said he would like to see something similar to the bridge on West Main <br />Street. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolbert said that the bridge will likely be modeled after Free Bridge. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said he is not interested in seeing Free Bridge repeated. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati noted that the railroad wanted the bridge raised on West Main Street <br />and they put up significant money for the desigr~ <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that there were additional design features on the Ridge Street <br />Bridge. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said he would tike to get a better design of the bridge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he agrees, and thinks a planted median ~vould be consistent with <br />the remainder of Jefferson Park Avenue. Mr. Lynch said he does not want a bridge that <br />is four-lanes wide. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said the fundamental structure of the bridge is not going to change, <br />and he feels the fmat design of the bridge can be addressed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he is okay letting go of the idea of a greenbelt passageway, but <br />would like to ask for enhanced design of the bridge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati suggested that Council pass the resolution and ask staff to talk to <br />VDOT and come back to Council with a final design and cost, <br /> Ms. Richards said re-engineering may be required if the median is changed on the <br />bridge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he would agree to approve the structural elements of the bridge <br />design and direct staff to work with VDOT on aesthetic design elements, including rails, <br />sidewalk width, two-lanes with bike lanes, and potentially turn lanes. <br /> <br /> <br />