Like Us
Follow Us
WisDOT denies Hoan Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path
Earlier this year there was much debate on whether or not the Wisconsin Department of Transportation should consider redeveloping the Hoan Bridge to include a bicycle and pedestrian path while redecking the surface. After an extended feasibility study, which took into account cost, traffic impact, and engineering possibilities, WisDOT released its conclusions in a press release today announcing the project will not happen.
"Given the need to prioritize the top economic development projects, after careful study, WisDOT is not moving forward with a bike path on the Hoan Bridge. The Hoan Bridge is a vital part of the Milwaukee-area freeway system. However, the alternatives presented in the feasibility study would impair our ability to provide safe, efficient travel and deliver less value than other possible department investments in economic development in Milwaukee," said Secretary Mark Gottlieb.
"We’re making great progress on the area’s priorities," said Secretary Gottlieb. Our focus is always on promoting economic development and public safety," he concluded. Â
While this may be disappointing to those lacking four wheels and an engine, the fight for easy access between the Downtown and southern sections of Milwaukee is not completely lost. By the end of 2012 the City of Milwaukee will be completing a new connector between the Lake Park portion of the Oak Leaf Trail and the new raised bike lane on South Bay Street, which takes advantage of the long-unused Canadian-Pacific rail line just east of first street in Walker's Point.
And since the emphasis of the denial was placed on safety, rather than the high cost, perhaps some of the money that would have been put into the bridge bikeway could be reinvested into a different strategy. It's less impressive, but maybe we could re-hire a new Bicycle and Pedestrian coordinator, which would benefit the entire city, not just that two mile stretch.
But man, that view from the Hoan would have been great...
Permalink
Print
Talkbacks (5)
Share this: 
Talkbacks
CoolerKing | Dec. 20, 2011 at 7:19 a.m. (report)
Sorry, Jimmy, but some fencing and a stripe doesn't sound like it'd do much to prevent a vehicle from crashing through it. Just look at the auto paint streaks on the concrete median the next time you cross the Hoan and you'll see what I mean. You might have to give up a little of that consulting fee to put towards materials.
| Rate this: |
rabid652 | Dec. 19, 2011 at 12:07 p.m. (report)
In other words, this was nothing but a sham by the DOT meant to fullfill requirements to recieve federal highway dollars.
| Rate this: |
rabid652 | Dec. 19, 2011 at 12:01 p.m. (report)
Considering this same agency proposed eliminating the Hoan Bridge enitirely by highlighting it's "lack" of usage just a year ago, it's pretty laughable for them to assert they were concerned about traffic congestion on the northbound side if one traffic lane was eliminated. Since one traffic lane has been closed for the better part of the last year, it should be pretty obvious that traffic was only minimally affected during the morning commute. As for their stated safety concerns - B.S. Period. If anyone's ridden the possible routes from the near south side to downtown, they'd know there is no possible way a path over the Hoan could even remotely be more dangerous than that (even with the new conenctor route). This a shame and is further evidence that our motto should officially be changed to "Backwards".
| Rate this: |
Jimmy_Jones | Dec. 19, 2011 at 11:42 a.m. (report)
Even the $9 million estimate was overkill... close 1 lane of northbound traffic & put a fence on both sides of the path. Done.
That'll be $250,000 in fencing & $1,000 for a painted stripe down the middle... for some of the best public views of Milwaukee & the harbor... plus a great connection to Bay View/Downtown. How about they can pay me a $5 million consultant fee just so the cost doesn't look too low.
You know, it would probably save money, because they wouldn't have to maintain the bike lane as though semi's are passing over it.
| Rate this: |
CoolerKing | Dec. 19, 2011 at 8:50 a.m. (report)
When costs for this is $9 million for using an existing lane for a bike path or $94 million to build a separate bike lane, I'd say there is definitely SOME emphasis on cost.
| Rate this: |
 |
5 comments about this article. Post your comment/review now |
Facebook comments
Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.
Recent Articles & Blogs by Jason McDowell
Bike to Work Week 2013, May 13-18
Published May 8, 2013
Don't feel like you need to ditch your car. The overall goal is participation. Don't feel bad if you can't ride all seven days, but don't give up after only one. Take small steps towards enjoying riding a bike. If you find a problem, ask around for a solution; odds are someone has already figured it out. Bike to Work Week may not convert you to a spandex-loving gear head, but it might provide you with a new, fun weekly goal.
The Fyxation Quiver: The first and last bike you'll ever need
Published May 3, 2013
The frame starts out as one would expect, with 4130 chromoly tubing in "a traditional double triangle design with a horizontal top tube, aero profile fork and horizontal dropouts to easily accommodate a singlespeed, fixed, or internal gear hub." But here is where it gets interesting. "The Quiver also ships with our proprietary derailleur hanger and removable cable stops so it can be built up as a geared road bike with front and rear derailleurs."
The Scarring Party comes away from the light for show at Hotel Foster
Published March 22, 2013
Known for their tin can microphone, shiny tuba, eclectic instrumentation--which ranges from a typewriter to a customized whirring vibraphone--and, most importantly, lead singer Daniel Bullock's thoughtful, incisive lyrics. The Scarring Party's songs have roots in the early days of radio jazz, but the tone is more foreboding, as if one was being stalked by guard dogs in a French walled city while on the way to a burlesque show in Hell. Equal parts exciting, unnerving, and devious.
The Delphines: Warm and fuzzy with a tight foundation
Published Jan. 24, 2013
The Delphines have a warm, fuzzy carefree sound. It's sonically blissful while lyrically dark. It drips with that sort of conflicted teenage nostalgia, the feeling of having the whole world waiting for you, while still being internally hesitant and confused. It's all pumped into a single microphone and done in a single take. But despite that youthful glow, the group is knit together, the foundation is strong, and the music crackles with a tight energy.
Beintween needs your help to reinvent the ARTery park project
Published Nov. 13, 2012
Keith Hayes and Rob Zdanowski, founders of Beintween.org and the brains behind the ARTery, have lofty goals for their new project, Matireal, a creational trail. But now they need your help.
Seven years of BarCampMilwaukee
Published Sept. 28, 2012
BarCampMilwaukee7: Seven Minutes of Terror (named for the Mars rover Curiosity landing earlier this year) is different from a typical corporate conference. BarCamps are a participatory "unconference" event, where there is no "one" speaker and attendees are in charge of what happens. It is an open environment where people interested in teaching and learning come together to share their knowledge and experiences.
Vulture Space gives dead bikes new life
Published May 8, 2012
Grab your wheels -- next week, May 14-18, is Milwaukee's Bike to Work Week. Making things even easier for novice bikers this year is Vulture Space, a brand-new non-profit that provides bike stands and tools to fix, maintain and build bicycles conveniently located inside The Shops of Grand Avenue.
Fyxation opens the cycling season with a bicycle give-away
Published March 16, 2012
It's still the middle of March, but it's quite obvious the cycling season has begun regardless. To celebrate, Fyxation has teamed up with Milwaukee Bicycle Company (Ben's Cycle) and photographer Peter DiAntoni of COG Magazine (also based out of Milwaukee) to help promote their new contest by giving away a brand new State Bicycle Co. fixed gear bicycle, equipped with Fyxation components. All you have to do is Like their Facebook page.
Commuters get prepared for winter at the Winter Cycling Forum and Dance Party
Published Dec. 5, 2011
The Milwaukee Bicycle Collective's Third Annual Winter Cycling Forum and Dance Party is Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Riverwest Public House. The timing could hardly be more perfect.
The final days: Will the Hoan Bridge redevelopment include a multi-use path?
Published Oct. 17, 2011
The days of waiting for a decision on whether or not to include a bicycle and pedestrian path on the Hoan Bridge are nearing an end. In an effort to display the inadequate connector between the north and south portions of the downtown Milwaukee Oak Leaf Trail, Senator Chris Larson and Representative John Richards invited members of the Department of Tranportation to meet with a group of cyclists at the Humboldt Park Pavilion.
