pin 950112 planning study · places of employment, shopping and recreational activities. the area...

PIN 950112:

I-81 Pedestrian Bridge Planning Study

PIN 950112: I81 Pedestrian Bridge Planning Study

1

PIN 950112: I-81 Pedestrian Bridge Planning Study

Contents1. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ 2

Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 4

2.1. Project Overview .............................................................................................................. 4

2.2. Local and Regional Significance ...................................................................................... 4

3. Study Area Overview ........................................................................................................... 6

3.1. Land Use & Ownership .................................................................................................... 6

3.2. Natural Features ............................................................................................................. 11

3.3. Transportation Network and Needs ................................................................................ 12

3.4. Accident summary on US Route 11 ........................................................................... 21

4. Bridge Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 22

4.1. Elimination of the bridge with no replacement structure ............................................... 22

4.2. Rehabilitation of the bridge on the current alignment .................................................... 22

4.3. Replacement bridge on the current alignment ................................................................ 22

4.4. Construction of a bridge at a different alignment .......................................................... 22

4.5. Providing pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations on US Route 11 (Front Street) .... 25

4.6. Pedestrian Underpass ..................................................................................................... 25

5. Preferred Alternative ............................................................................................................. 25

6. Costs Estimates ..................................................................................................................... 26

7. Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 27

7.1. Appendix A – Public Outreach Meeting Summary ....................................................... 27

7.2. Appendix B – Online Public Survey Results Summary ................................................. 32


2

1. Executive Summary

Overview

The I-81 Pedestrian Bridge Study was undertaken to examine the needs of the communities residing near the pedestrian bridge, Bridge Identification Number (BIN) 1031190, over I-81 located in the town of Dickinson and bordering the city of Binghamton, Broome County, NY. The pedestrian bridge is nearing the end of its functional life, and is no longer in compliance with current regulations. Significant capital would be required for repairs or reconstruction, therefore the needs of the local communities was examined to determine a strategy that will provide the most benefits for all users. Significant changes in the local land use and transportations networks have occurred since the original construction of the pedestrian bridge. Some of the original reasons for the pedestrian bridge installation are no longer valid, including the need for children to walk to the elementary school, and growth in nearby areas has created a change in users. What was originally intended for one neighborhood’s access has become a means for many other users to connect to schools, places of employment, shopping and recreational activities. The area has also seen the growth of other trails, paths, sidewalks and bike lanes with the ultimate goal of producing the Two Rivers Greenway connecting many communities along the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers with paths for non-vehicular traffic. The existing segments of this network in Otsiningo Park and along Bevier Street, combined with other planned segments on Front Street, all reasons this study is recommending that the pedestrian bridge be replaced with more suitable multi-modal accommodations along US Route 11 (Front Street). The segment of US Route 11 from Bevier Street to Old Front Street (RM 11 9101 3001 to RM 11 9101 3007) should be replaced with one that either has minimum 5 foot wide sidewalks and 5 foot bike lanes on both sides, or a barrier-separated multi-use path that connects along one side. Either of those options will tie into the existing and planned Two Rivers Greenway system and will provide more direct access for users between the city of Binghamton and destinations on US Route 11. This will also improve the bicycle facilities offered along a segment of NYS Bike Route 11 & 17 as well as local Bike Route 3. This will still provide a means for the original neighborhood served by the pedestrian bridge to connect to Otsiningo Park and other destinations in the city of Binghamton, and will expand the connections for many other users.


3

View of the pedestrian bridge over I-81 and the US route 11 bridge over I-81 in the town of Dickinson, NY.


4

2. Introduction

2.1. Project Overview

The I-81 Pedestrian Bridge Study was undertaken to identify the pedestrian and bicyclist needs of the communities near the existing I-81 pedestrian bridge. The existing bridge, BIN 1031190, is nearing the end of its service life. Built in 1968, BIN 1031190 currently needs major rehabilitation or complete replacement. The approaches to the bridge do not comply with ADA requirements, it has a non-standard vertical clearance of only 16 ft above I-81, and the deck is in poor condition requiring annual intervention from maintenance crews. The bridge is also non-redundant structurally. Addressing these issues will be a significant capital investment, and thus the request was made to thoroughly identify the needs of the community. Outreach to local officials and the public was made to gather input on various alternatives. These alternatives included (1) removing the existing bridge without any replacement structure, (2) rehabilitation of the current bridge, (3) replacing the bridge at the current location, (4) constructing a bridge in a new location, (5) providing for pedestrians and bicyclists on Route 11 between Bevier Street and Old Front Street including widening the US Route 11 (Front Street) bridge over I-81 to provide a more robust passage for non-motorized traffic than currently exists and (6) a pedestrian underpass.

2.2. Local and Regional Significance

The current bridge was built in 1968 when the construction of I-81 isolated the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood from the adjacent communities and schools. Since that time, the bridge has become a feature in the neighborhood, and reportedly the access it allows to Otsiningo Park is a selling point for residential properties located in the neighborhood. The town of Dickinson has planted flowers at the northern approach to beautify it near the Town Hall. There is also a strong sentiment within that neighborhood that the bridge provides them an ‘emergency evacuation route’ in the event that the one road, Old Front Street, providing egress to the area is closed.

Map of Otsiningo Park


5

While most users of the bridge do reside within the vicinity, it is noted that when large events are held at Otsiningo Park, many people from other areas will park their cars in the neighborhood and use the pedestrian bridge to cross to the park. The most significant time this happens is during the annual three day Speidie Fest & Balloon Rally, during which in 2013 there was an average of 1182 trips a day, as opposed to the typical 34 trips a day.

Major destination points


6

3. Study Area Overview

3.1. Land Use & Ownership

Otsiningo Park, located east of I-81 and near the east approach to the pedestrian bridge offers significant recreational opportunities in the region. Not only are there extensive multi-use trails within Otsiningo Park, there are soccer and softball fields, volleyball and bocce courts, picnic shelters, restrooms, community gardens and it is the site for numerous community gatherings and festivals. Broome County Parks estimated over 1.38 million visitors to Otsiningo Park in 2015.

The Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School is located east of I-81, and is the public elementary school attended by children in the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood. While the school is located close enough for children to walk, and this was one of the reasons the pedestrian bridge was first installed, the Binghamton School District currently provides bus service to that district. Outreach to the school indicated if a contingency school budget was passed and transportation funds were limited that neighborhood could have that bus service suspended.

Businesses and destinations east of the Chenango River within walking distance of the pedestrian bridge. Buckingham Manufacturing is roughly a fifteen minute walk from the

pedestrian bridge.


7

Potential environmental justice areas in the vicinity of the pedestrian bridge as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency based on census block data circa 2003.


8

East of I-81 has a mix of residential and commercial properties. Most of the residential neighborhood surrounding the elementary school is within an environmental justice area. There are also several churches, a florist, a car dealer, a construction company, a graphic arts shop, a manufacturer of safety climbing gear, an insurance agency and a funeral home. Much of the area is zoned for residential multi unit dwellings, but within a fifteen minute walk of the pedestrian bridge is a zoned heavy industrial area, and a service commercial area.

Zoning map of area east of I-81


9

West of I-81 on Upper Front Street (US Route 11) is the Broome County Regional Farmers’ Market. This is a year round farmers’ market that in 2016 moved from being held seasonally outdoors in Otsiningo Park to a year-round indoor facility located behind the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. Anecdotally, the new location has resulted in some of the residents who live east of I-81 to take advantage of the pedestrian bridge as they are concerned for their safety when they walk along Front Street. Market organizers estimate that 5-10% of the farmers markets patrons arrive on foot or by bicycle in 2016. They do believe if pedestrian accommodations near their location were improved, especially crossing Front Street near the intersection with Old Front Street, they would see an increase in foot traffic.

Upper Front Street near the pedestrian bridge is also the home of Elizabeth Church Manor, an assisted care facility. There are several hotels, a multi-screen movie theater, a mix of both fast-food and dine-in establishments, gas stations, and a church within a mile of the north end of the pedestrian bridge or three-quarters of a mile from the Front Street bridge over I-81.

Businesses and destinations west of I-81 and within walking distance of the pedestrian bridge. Elizabeth Church Manor

Campus is a roughly fifteen minute walk from the pedestrian bridge.


10

Upper Front Street, west of I-81, is becoming a more commercial district, although there are still some residential properties. Parts of this area are zoned residential 1, but there is also a commercial zoned area and much is in a planned unit development for light industrial use. SUNY-Broome is a major destination for students, employees and community users of the facilities on site, such as the ice-rink and other athletic facilities. The community college has recently opened on-campus housing for students and is planning to expand those offerings in the future. The Binghamton Area Girls Softball Association has fields located adjacent to the college, the Broome County Sheriffs Office and County Jail, Broome County Emergency Services, ACHIEVE (formerly the ARC) and the Broome County Dog Shelter also share an access roadway (Lt. Vanwinkle Drive) with the college off of Upper Front Street.

Zoning Map of Area west of I-81


11

Cutler Gardens gazebo for local events

3.2. Natural Features

The pedestrian bridge currently crosses through wet-lands and is located within the 100 year flood plain. Recent construction on the I-81/State Route 17 Interchange nearby has resulted in some of the land in this area being protected in perpetuity. The Chenango River runs a little over a quarter of a mile away and Otsiningo Park contains both wetlands and cultural resources.

Much of the area is also considered prime farmland. There are community gardens located in Otsiningo Park and Cutler Botanical Gardens are located nearby. Cutler Botanical Gardens is part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome and provides a teaching garden for local residents. The volunteer master gardeners that maintain the facility also rent it out for special occasions such as weddings or other events.

100 year flood plain and DEC wetlands in the vicinity of the pedestrian bridge.


12

3.3. Transportation Network and Needs

US Route 11 in this area is part of several different New York State designated bike routes and local bike routes. Local bike route 3, which is approximately 10 miles long and connects downtown Binghamton to Chenango Forks follows Route 11 through this area. New York State Bicycle Route 11 follows US Route 11 through the area. New York State Bicycle Route 17 also runs along US Route 11 in this area. As part of the BMTS Greenway Study, it was recommended that as portions of US Route 11 are reconstructed, they should include bicycle lanes. This has been done in some of the sections of Upper Front Street (US Route 11) north of the Old Front Street intersection.

Portion of Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study (BMTS) 2014 Bicycle Route Map

http://www.gobroomecounty.com/files/bmts/pdfs/BinghamtonMetropolitanGreenwayStudy.pdf


13

Map showing distance from the pedestrian bridge, with the maximum of a one mile

radius shown. The average person can walk a mile in twenty minutes and bike a mile in five minutes over level, firm surfaces.


14

US Route 11, Front Street, is a main through fare for vehicular traffic with a 45 mph speed limit through most of the project area. US Route 11 is a functional class 16, urban minor arterial in this area. There is no access control, and it is not on the national highway system. NYSDOT maintains this section of US Route 11. Front Street in the vicinity of the pedestrian bridge lacks sidewalks, although at the eastern approach there are sidewalks on the corner of Front and Bevier Street. There is a painted cross walk and a pedestrian light from the eastern pedestrian bridge approach across Front St to meet the sidewalks on Bevier Street. But there are no painted crosswalks or pedestrian lights at the entrance and exit ramps connected to Interstate 81 Exit 5 North or South. Most of this section has shoulders that are 5’ wide, but they narrow significantly on the bridge over I-81, and in many areas are in such poor condition a bicycle can not travel on them and is forced to take the lane with vehicular traffic.

Ariel view of Front Street (US Route 11)


15

At the intersection of Bevier Street with Front Street is the end point of a multi-use trail that travels both north into Otsiningo Park and continues on Howell Drive near Exit 6 from I-81, and south along Bevier Street to Chenango Street and continues down to Confluence Park at the Washington Street pedestrian bridge in downtown Binghamton. The mostly level trail path is roughly 3.2 miles between Otsiningo Park and Confluence Park in downtown Binghamton, about an hour walk or a 20 minute bicycle ride. Parts of this trail consist of sidewalks with adjacent bike lanes and other sections are separate paved multi-use path without any vehicular traffic. There is a project underway (PIN 90380A, 90380B and 903808) for the Washington Street pedestrian bridge at Confluence Park in downtown Binghamton to join with a multi-use path that will end at Binghamton University’s main campus in Vestal. This roughly 3 mile long path should take less than 20 minutes on a bicycle and less than an hour walking to join downtown Binghamton with the main Binghamton University campus. Binghamton University’s downtown campus is also 0.2 miles from Confluence Park, making a bicycle between the two campuses roughly 20 minutes or an hour walk. There is also a project that will be running a multi-use path along the east side of Front Street from Prospect Street to the Bevier Street junction into Otsiningo Park as part of Prospect

Satellite view of the intersection of Front Street and Bevier Street with the east access to

the pedestrian bridge

https://www.dot.ny.gov/portal/pls/portal/MEXIS_APP.DYN_PROJECT_DETAILS.show?p_arg_names=p_pin&p_arg_values=90380A


16

Mountain Project, Phase II. This will help join the area of Front Street within the city of Binghamton to the Upper Front Street area located in the town of Dickinson. These existing and proposed trails are all part of the Two Rivers Greenway system of trails that will provide connections for non-motorized traffic throughout the entire region as described in the BMTS Binghamton Metropolitan Greenway Study. At the western approach to the pedestrian bridge there is a sidewalk on Old Front Street on the west side of the road, but not at the east side that meets up to the paved bridge approach pathway. There is a painted cross walk across from the bridge approach, but there is no pedestrian signal. Old Front Street is a 30 mph road through a mixed use area, with residences, businesses, hotels and the local town hall. Most of that road has a sidewalk only along the west side, with the exception of the section near the Econo Lodge and Red Roof Inn. There is no painted crosswalk or pedestrian light at the intersection of Old Front Street with Front Street.

Ariel view of Old Front Street near the pedestrian bridge approach



http://www.gobroomecounty.com/files/bmts/pdfs/gbgmaps.pdf


17

In 2013, traffic counters were placed on the pedestrian bridge for thirteen days in May, twenty days in July, nineteen days in October, and during the three day weekend in August for Speidie Fest. The style of automated counters used could not distinguish between bicyclists and pedestrians, but this data collected verified the anecdotal daily usage versus high demand times. This shows an average of 34 trips across the bridge on a typical day, and during peak weekends such as the Speidie Fest an average of 1182 trips across the bridge each day. As the counts were taken, local weather conditions were also recorded, and many of the low counts correspond to days with inclement weather. Due to vehicular traffic and no separate sidewalk and the shoulders being in poor condition, an automated count for pedestrian or bicyclist traffic could not be undertaken on US Route 11. Instead there was a manual count done for six hours on July 1, 2014. This manual count reported a total 33 trips over the bridge, from 17 different individuals. 9 of these individuals were bicyclists and 8 were pedestrians.

Ariel view of the intersection of Old Front Street with Front.


18

Google maps for walking illustrates the difference to a pedestrian between taking the pedestrian bridge to travel between the Bevier Street intersection and the Old Front Street intersection. US Route 11/Front St is a more direct path, being 0.2 miles shorter, and thus even with the lack of sidewalks and narrow shoulders some people chose that shorter trip.


19

Date Count Date Count Date Count Thursday, 5/16/13 66 Thursday, 7/4/13 48 Friday, 10/11/13 31 Friday, 5/17/13 57 Friday, 7/5/13 20 Saturday, 10/12/13 54 Saturday, 5/18/13 47 Saturday, 7/6/13 22 Sunday, 10/13/13 24 Sunday, 5/19/13 60 Sunday, 7/7/13 20 Monday, 10/14/13 15 Monday, 5/20/13 67 Monday, 7/8/13 32 Tuesday, 10/15/13 17 Tuesday, 5/21/13 42 Tuesday, 7/9/13 47 Wednesday, 10/16/13 40 Wednesday, 5/22/13 45 Wednesday, 7/10/13 38 Thursday, 10/17/13 27 Thursday, 5/23/13 40 Thursday, 7/11/13 46 Friday, 10/18/13 28 Friday, 5/24/13 18 Friday, 7/12/13 34 Saturday, 10/19/13 28 Saturday, 5/25/13 32 Saturday, 7/13/13 53 Sunday, 10/20/13 24 Sunday, 5/26/13 65 Sunday, 7/14/13 49 Monday, 10/21/13 43 Monday, 5/27/13 75 Monday, 7/15/13 20 Tuesday, 10/22/13 25 Tuesday, 5/28/13 36 Tuesday, 7/16/13 47 Wednesday, 10/23/13 43 Daily Average 50 Wednesday, 7/17/13 31 Thursday, 10/24/13 20 Thursday, 7/18/13 28 Friday, 10/25/13 19 Friday, 7/19/13 17 Saturday, 10/26/13 6 Saturday, 7/20/13 21 Sunday, 10/27/13 20 Sunday, 7/21/13 41 Monday, 10/28/13 12 Monday, 7/22/13 53 Daily Average 25 Daily Average 33 Speidie Fest Day Count Friday, 8/2/13 1190 Saturday, 8/3/13 1587 Sunday, 8/4/13 770 Daily Average 1182

Data from automated counts on the pedestrian bridge taken in 2013. There are several Broome County Transit routes in the area. Routes 8 and 9 run north and south along Front Street on the west side of the Chenango River and route 40 runs north and south along the east side of the Chenango River on Chenango Street. It is possible to transfer between lines at the Chenango Park and Ride on NYS Route 12A, or at the Greater Binghamton Transportation Center in downtown Binghamton, but public outreach revealed that some people find it faster to cross at the Bevier Street bridge and walk between the stops on Chenango Street or Upper Front Street. Those people must use the Front Street bridge or the pedestrian bridge to cross over I-81.


20

A portion of the Broome County Transit System Map showing the Route 8, 9 and 40.


21

3.4. Accident summary on US Route 11

The pedestrian bridge allows users to avoid the section of US Route 11 (Front Street) between the intersection of Bevier Street and Old Front Street. During public outreach, many people reported that they felt this section of road was unsafe, not just for pedestrians and bicyclists but also for people driving vehicles. This section has an AADT of 13,531, a posted speed limit of 45 mph and roughly 20% of the vehicle traffic are trucks and buses. The entrance and exit ramps for I-81 north and south also intersect with US 11 through that section. This segment of US Route 11 is part of a priority investigation area and part of a specialty priority investigation area for rear-end crashes. Since outreach to local officials about the condition of the pedestrian bridge began in 2007, a safety summary here is from January 1, 2007 until September 30, 2016, recognizing that not all records from the more recent time frame are recorded yet.

Accident Summary from 1/1/2007 – 9/30/2016 Accident Type Number Percentage of Total

Overtaking 32 11 Rear End 148 49 Right Angle 13 4 Left Turn 26 9 Fixed Object 19 6 Pedestrian 1 0 Bicycle 2 1 Right Turn 8 3 Other 51 17 Total 300 100%

Summary of Light Conditions during accidents from 1/1/2007-9/30/2016 Light Number Percentage of Total

Daylight 252 84 Dawn 2 1 Dusk 2 1 Dark Lighted 37 12 Dark Unlighted 6 2 Unknown 1 0 Total 300 100%

Summary of Roadway Surface Conditions from 1/1/2007-9/30/2016 Road Surface Condition Number Percentage of Total

Dry 228 76 Wet 55 18 Snow/Ice 16 5 Unknown 1 0 Total 300 100%


22

4. Bridge Alternatives

4.1. Elimination of the bridge with no replacement structure

The DOT pedestrian counts found an average of 34 trips a day for the pedestrian bridge, and the BMTS count for the Front Street bridge found 33 trips in a 6 hour period. The Front Street bridge lacks sidewalks or bike lanes, and the shoulder narrows down to less than three feet. This stretch of Front Street is also noted for a high incidence of rear-end accidents, making the option of removing the pedestrian bridge and doing nothing else to improve accommodations in the area unacceptable. It will be eliminated from further consideration.

4.2. Rehabilitation of the bridge on the current alignment

Rehabilitation would repair the deck deficiencies and could also reroute the approaches to correct the slope deficiencies for meeting the ADA requirements. The bridge will still be non-compliant for the vertical clearance pedestrian bridges are required to have an additional 1 foot clearance beyond the 16 foot minimum requirement per the NYSDOT Bridge Manual Chapter 2.4.1. Rehabilitation will probably add fifteen years to the lifespan of the bridge. It will still mainly provide a safe connection for non-motorized traffic from the Sunrise Terrance neighborhood to Front Street on the east side of I-81.

4.3. Replacement bridge on the current alignment

This alternative would replace the bridge in the existing location. The new bridge would provide the proper vertical clearance needed above I-81, have structural redundancies and it would also provide new approach paths to meet ADA requirements. A new bridge is expected to have a seventy-five year lifespan. It will still mainly provide a safe connection for non-motorized traffic from the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood to Front Street east of I-81.

4.4. Construction of a bridge at a different alignment

This alternative removes the existing bridge and constructs a new one at a different location. Public input has suggested several sites, such as from the Cornell Cooperative Extension to Otsiningo Park, from a spot closer to SUNY-Broome on the west side to an undetermined site on the east side, and from near the Nirchi’s Pizza or the Comfort Inn north of the SUNY-Broome campus on Upper Front Street and following along under the I-88 split and crossing the Chenango River to land in or near the Port Dickinson Community Park. It should be noted that Broome County Parks close from sun down to sun up, so having a new bridge end within the bounds of Otsiningo Park would result in a path that is not legally useable 24 hours a day.


23

This alternative leaves the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood without the perceived ‘emergency evacuation route’ when it was suggested during public outreach efforts. It may be possible to make an alternate connection that would relieve those fears from the public and local officials such as the town of Dickinson supervisor. The public outreach also reported that many bicyclists today cross between the dead end of Adams Drive within the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood and the parking lot for ACHIEVE that connects to Cutler Pond Road. It may be possible to construct a section of roadway to officially link these for all modes of traffic. This would require acquisitions and construction of a new roadway, but it would provide an alternate means of egress to the neighborhood. This would also eliminate two dead end roads, both Cutler Pond

Potential area where a pedestrian bridge could run under the existing I81 to I88 interchange bridge


24

Road and Adams Drive, making both of those streets better for emergency access to the businesses and residents along them.

Connect Cutler Pond Road to Adams Road to provide an alternate means of egress

for the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood (satellite view from Google)


25

4.5. Providing pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations on US Route 11 (Front Street)

This alternative would remove the existing pedestrian bridge and replace it with better accommodations along Front Street between Bevier Street and Old Front Street. These could include minimum 5 foot wide sidewalks on both sides of the road way, marked cross walks with pedestrian lights at all intersections, and 5 foot wide bike lanes along both sides. Alternatively, a multi-use path separated from the roadway with physical barriers and thus allowing two way pedestrian or bicyclist traffic on the single path could be constructed. Whichever alternative is chosen, it should be continuous throughout this section of US Route 11. Structural engineers examining the bridge over I-81 in this section feel it can not be widened to accommodate new lanes or sidewalks. Currently a multi-use path through Otsiningo Park terminates at the Bevier Street and Front Street intersection. This path also joins to other sidewalks and bike lanes that run down Bevier Street and onto Chenango Street before joining up with another separated multi-use trail in the Cheri Lindsey Park. The Prospect Mountain Phase II project, currently under construction, will install a multi-use path along the east side of Front Street between Prospect Street and Bevier Street. This project is anticipated to be completed in 2019. This alternative would provide a more direct route for a larger portion of pedestrians and bicyclists in that area than the current pedestrian bridge, but it leaves the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood without the perceived ‘emergency evacuation route’. As mentioned above, this could possibly be remedied by constructing a connection between Cutler Pond Road and Adams Road. This alternative will also require intersection reconstruction at the Bevier Street intersection, the I-81 North Exit 5 ramps, at the Old Front Street intersection and the I-81 South Exit 5 ramps.

4.6. Pedestrian Underpass

This alternative would construct a tunnel under I-81 in the vicinity of the current pedestrian bridge. This would require no additional right of way acquisitions, although its exact location would depend upon the soil types in the area. This area is in the 100 year flood plain, with surrounding wetlands, so construction could be extremely difficult and costly. During outreach events the public expressed many concerns about personal safety using a tunnel. Fears about undesirable elements using it for illicit activities since it is “out of sight” were strongly expressed. Because of the safety and construction concerns, this option is not considered to be feasible. It will be eliminated from further considerations.

5. Preferred Alternative

Option 5, providing pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations on US Route 11 (Front Street) between Bevier Street and Old Front Street, is the preferred option for several reasons. During the 2015 inspection of the Front Street bridge over I-81 BIN 1008190, structural deficiencies were identified. The bridge was determined to need to be replaced or undergo major rehabilitation. A project was initiated in 2015, and as of that date of this report, that project (PIN 904350) is in the scoping phase. This option provides connectivity between areas east of I-81 and the Chenango River and areas west of I-81 along the most direct route between destinations. It will allow a safe path for


26

pedestrians and bicyclists from the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood to reach destinations such as Otsiningo Park and at the same time create a much more direct path for other users to reach destinations along Front Street. This will also improve the bicycle facilities offered along a segment of NYS Bike Route 11 & 17 as well as local Bike Route 3 This alternative does not preclude a separate project to construct a separate bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists. It offers a cost effective means of providing safe transit for all modes of transportation. It allows for input on sidewalks and bicycle lanes or a separated multi-use path that would quickly tie into the existing network of the Two Rivers Greenway. This option also allows local officials to take the lead on creating an alternate ‘emergency evacuation route’ for the Sunrise Terrace neighborhood, that could possibly include tying in the existing roads in the neighborhood to others and thus eliminate the possibility of the single intersection closure trapping the residents in the neighborhood.

6. Costs Estimates

Option Cost Estimate Elimination of the pedestrian bridge with no replacement structure

$0.21 million

Rehabilitation of the pedestrian bridge on the current alignment

$0.8 million

Replacement pedestrian bridge on the current alignment

$1.6 million (not including cost to remove existing bridge)

Construction of a pedestrian bridge at a different alignment

$2.0 million

Providing pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations on US Route 11 (Front Street) between Bevier Street and Old Front Street

$9.6 million for the bridge replacement $1.4 million for a 12 ft multi-use path separated by a barrier between Bevier Street and Old Front Street.


27

7. Appendices

7.1. Appendix A – Public Outreach Meeting Summary

REGION 9 ACTIVITIES REPORT SUBJECT OF REPORT: Public Meeting, PIN 950112 I-81 Pedestrian Bridge (BIN 1031190), Planning Study, Town of Dickinson, Broome County Reporter: Jillian Newby Date of activity: September 26, 2013 Unit: Regional Planning & Program Management Office Telephone No. 607-721-8576 Background: The I-81 Pedestrian Bridge designated BIN 1031190 was built in 1968 to provide pedestrian accommodations across the highway, primarily for the Sunrise Terrace Community which was isolated from adjacent communities and schools by the construction of I-81. The bridge is nearing the end of its service life and requires increasing maintenance efforts to keep it open. NYSDOT has initiated a planning study to identify the pedestrian and bicycle needs associated with the bridge and identify conceptual alternatives that could be developed into one or more capital projects. One of the key components of the study is public input. Activity: On September 26, 2013, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) representatives Jillian Newby, Project Manager; Kathryn Mangan, Project Development Supervisor; Paul Gendron, Structures Liaison; Dave Hamburg, Public Information Officer; Pam Eshbaugh, Regional Planning and Program Manager; Mark Bowers, Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator; and Julie Balogh, greeter; attended a public meeting at the Dickinson Town Hall located at 531 Old Front Street, Binghamton, NY. Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study Officials Cyndi Paddick, Director, and Scott Reigle, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator, were also in attendance. The Town of Dickinson was represented by Supervisor Michael Marinaccio; Town Council members Danny Morabito and Sharon Exley; Planning Board members Susan Kirkland and David Wosser; and Joel Kie, Highway Superintendent. Lieutenant Kathleen Newcomb of the Broome County Sherriff’s Department was also in attendance. Thirty-one other individuals also attended the meeting. WBNG and WICZ both had representatives at the meeting and featured it on their evening news coverage. Meeting materials consisted of a PowerPoint presentation, brochure, community survey, and presentation boards showing the project location, distance radii from the bridge, and graphs of the pedestrian counts. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the planning study underway, to solicit community input regarding the study and the pedestrian and bicycle needs in the vicinity of the bridge, and to encourage them to participate in the online community survey. The public presentation started at 7:00 pm with an introduction from Supervisor Marinaccio, in which he thanked NYSDOT for hosting the meeting, emphasized that the meeting was hosted by


28

NYSDOT, and requested the public focus on the topic at hand. J. Newby then gave a PowerPoint presentation, which covered why a study was being done and the information and analyses that would be needed to conduct the study, including planned community outreach, and the next steps. J. Newby facilitated a question and comment session following the presentation, during which K. Mangan kept track of comments on a flip chart. The residents in attendance at the meeting were mostly or all from the Town of Dickinson and Town of Chenango. The general sentiment from those at the meeting was that the bridge should be repaired or replaced on an alignment at or near the existing location. Supervisor Marinaccio also emphasized his agreement with this opinion both in his introduction and during the question and comment session. Additionally, he suggested that NYSDOT consider maintaining the bridge a few more years to see how development and changes on Front Street play out and then determine where a new bridge should be installed. At that time, installation of a bridge closure to BCC in conjunction with the installation of pedestrian accommodations on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge might make sense. Attendees indicated that the bridge is used for recreation and by people going to and from work and school (including BCC) among other things. A few people indicated that they use the bridge to access public transportation on Bevier Street because it is more convenient then the options available on the Dickinson side of the bridge. Danny Morabito, Town Councilman, emphasized that the bridge has become part of the community and he would like to see it replaced in the existing location and possibly extended over Front Street also. One person urged the Department not to consider any alternatives that construct one end of a new pedestrian bridge into Otsiningo Park, since it is not open 24-hours a day. In response to a question from Bill Sands, P. Gendron confirmed that the study would include estimates for conceptual alternatives. Mr. Sands wanted to make sure the public had access to “detailed estimates” of alternatives. In response to a question about funding, J. Newby explained that a funding source has not yet been selected for any capital projects developed as the result of the planning study. She said that the funding source would depend on the proposed project and the availability of funding sources, but that NYSDOT projects are typically funded using state and federal monies. In response to a question about recent maintenance work on the bridge and about how long the bridge itself will last, P. Gendron explained that in addition to a recent resurfacing of the deck, a new support was also added to the bridge. He said maintaining the bridge in the future will become increasingly more expensive.


29

Several people noted that there are a lot of bicycles and pedestrians on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge. In response to a question about pedestrian and cyclist counts for this bridge, J. Newby explained that NYSDOT had not done counts to this point, because the Department did not have a way to do the counts using equipment it currently owns. Kevin Allen commented that any retrofit of the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge (BIN 1008190) with pedestrian accommodations should include barriers to protect pedestrians from passing cars. Linda Marshall said that she didn’t think young children and families would use pedestrian access on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge regardless of any accommodations added. Town Highway Superintendent, Joel Kie, noted that the Town would be responsible for the maintenance of any sidewalks installed on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge. He went on to note that the expansion of the farmers market at Otsiningo and the construction of student housing at SUNY Broome would increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic in this area. He also pointed out that the pedestrian bridge could be used as an emergency evacuation route in the event of an emergency. Jeanne Compton, a longtime resident of Sunrise Terrace, said that a large fire with several explosions had occurred in the 1970’s and restricted access to the area. If the fire had gotten worse, the pedestrian bridge would have been the only way in or out for residents. Greg Patinka, a resident of Morningside Heights, suggested that construction of an alternate exit from Sunrise Terrace be investigated. In response to a question regarding plowing the pedestrian bridge, J. Newby explained that the Residency plows and salts the bridge and several other special locations with a pick-up truck as needed prior to, during, and after a storm. Supervisor Marinaccio added to the discussion of maintenance of sidewalks on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge noting that residents in the Town are generally good about sidewalk maintenance, but some of the businesses have been less prompt in clearing their sidewalks. Several people urged the Department not to make decisions solely on cost. The meeting ended at approximately 8:00 pm.


30

REGION 9 ACTIVITIES REPORT

SUBJECT OF REPORT: Public Officials Meeting, PIN 950112 I-81 Pedestrian Bridge (BIN 1031190), Planning Study, Town of Dickinson, Broome County Reporter: Jillian Newby Date of activity: September 24, 2013 Unit: Regional Planning & Program Management Office Telephone No. 607-721-8576 Background: The I-81 Pedestrian Bridge, designated BIN 1031190, was built in 1968 to provide pedestrian accommodations across Interstate 81. The bridge primarily serves the Sunrise Terrace Community, which was isolated from adjacent communities and schools by the construction of I-81. The bridge is nearing the end of its service life and requires increasing maintenance efforts to keep it open. NYSDOT has initiated a planning study to identify the pedestrian and bicycle needs associated with the bridge and identify conceptual alternatives that could be developed into one or more capital projects. Activity: On September 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., New York State Department of Transportation representatives Jillian Newby, Project Manager; Kathryn Mangan, Project Development Supervisor; and Paul Gendron, Structures Liaison, met with Dickinson Town Supervisor, Mike Marinaccio, to brief him about the study in advance of a planned public meeting on September 26, 2013. The meeting was held in the Planning & Program Management Group Conference Room on the 14th floor of the Binghamton State Office Building. J. Newby explained why a study was being done instead of a capital project. The Supervisor started by expressing personal support for retaining a pedestrian bridge in the area. He noted that a lot of money has been spent on Otsiningo Park and on other pedestrian amenities such as sidewalks and that the bridge should be part of it. He noted that many runners use the bridge. He also noted that for the most part there aren’t a lot of safety or security concerns associated with the pedestrian bridge and that it is well lit. He also noted that the town had planted flowers around the bridge approach closest to the town hall to make the area more inviting. The Supervisor feels that the use of the bridge will increase with the construction of additional student housing at SUNY Broome (formerly Broome Community College) and that Front Street is likely to become more commercialized, which will draw additional people, including those on foot and on bicycles, to the area. He noted that many of his town’s residents, especially those living in Sunrise Terrace, where he also lives, are in favor of retaining a bridge on or near the existing alignment. He also said that the town was in the process of updating its comprehensive plan and had a meeting of the Town Planning Board the previous evening, at which both the comprehensive plan and the pedestrian bridge had been discussed.


31

In addition to a new or repaired pedestrian bridge, the Supervisor is in support of the installation of sidewalks on the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge over I-81 (BIN 1008190). He said many people walk or bicycle over the bridge at all times of day. The south side of the bridge tends to have more pedestrian traffic. He did acknowledge that the installation of sidewalks on that bridge would create a need for maintenance, especially snow removal, which the town would need to resolve. On a general note, he indicated that the town has a snow removal ordinance and that residents are generally in compliance, but businesses are sometimes less prompt in clearing the walkways adjacent to their properties. In response to a question from Supervisor Marinaccio, P. Gendron confirmed that a secondary support had been previously constructed under the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge as part of a repair. Supervisor Marinaccio indicated that NYSDOT does a good job of keeping the pedestrian bridge clear of snow and ice, but the bridge surface and fencing are not maintained as well as he would like. He also expressed concern about debris on the bridge deck and the potential that the debris would fall onto passing cars below. He would like to see any new bridge have some kind of solid barrier at the bottom to prevent this problem. The Supervisor said that people have been observed driving across the pedestrian bridge in the past and that someone had even hit part of the fence, which was not repaired for quire a while. The Supervisor noted that the bridge was the only alternative route out of Sunrise Terrace, and that although it is only a pedestrian bridge it could be used to evacuate residents, if an emergency necessitate the closure of the intersection of Front Street and Old Front St. When discussing conceptual alternatives, the Supervisor said that moving the pedestrian bridge further north so that one end connects to Otsiningo Park would be problematic, because the park is not open 24 hours a day. He also suggested finding a way to extend the life of the bridge at least five more years, to allow some of the changes in development on Front Street to play out and making it easier to determine the alternative that would best meet the evolving needs of the corridor. On a general note about the bicycle accommodations in the area, the Supervisor commented that the bicycle lanes don’t “feel safe.” With respect to the public meeting, Supervisor Marinaccio said that he expected most of the attendees to be from Sunrise Terrace, which has over 300 households. He also though that people from Chenango Shores, which is just north of SUNY Broome, and people living in Morningside Heights, which is in the Town of Chenango would also attend. He indicated that a few of the people in these residential communities have lived there a long time and may have memories of the bridge construction. Although he expected most to be in favor of retaining a pedestrian bridge, he said some might view the bridge as bringing in a “negative element.”


32

7.2. Appendix B – Online Public Survey Results Summary

1) Approximately how far do your live from the pedestrian bridge over I-81 between Old Front Street and Front Street?

Response Percent Response Count 0.25 miles 10.0 13 0.5 miles 12.3 16 0.75 miles 6.9 9 1 mile 10.0 13 More than 1 mile 60.8 79 Total 130 skipped 3

2) Where do you live? Response Percent Response Count East of the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge (City of Binghamton side)

32.8 41

West of the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge (Town of Dickinson side)

67.2 84

Total 125 skipped 8

3) Do you ever use the pedestrian bridge over I-81? Response Percent Response Count Yes 68.4 91 No 31.6 42 Total 133 skipped 0

4) How do you cross the I-81 Bridge? (Please check all that apply) Response Percent Response count Walk 69.1 56 Bicycle 64.2 52 Other* 9.9 8 Total 81 skipped 52 *Responses for other included running, jogging and one claim to driving over the bridge once


33

5) How often do you use the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge for each of the following activities Never A few

times a year

A few times a month

1-3 times a week

4-6 times a week

Every Day

Go to or from Work 81.5% 9.9% 1.2% 3.7% 0% 3.7% Go to or from School 91.4% 3.7% 0% 1.2% 0% 3.7% Daily Errands 76.5% 14.8% 3.7% 2.5% 0% 2.55 Access Otsiningo Park

12.3% 30.9% 28.4% 18.5% 7.4% 2.55

Recreation 7.4% 32.1% 30.9% 19.8% 7.4% 2.5% Other (please specify)*

66. 7% 9.9% 11.1% 6.2% 2.5% 3.7%

Total responses 81 Skipped question 52 *Other responses ranged from dog walking, bicycling, just for exercise, to get to the movie theater, and to attend special events in Otsiningo Park.

6) Is there anything that would increase your usage of the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge? Please specify.

There were 65 responses and 68 skipped the question. Suggestions were made to make the slope of the approach less steep, install better lighting, a new and prettier fence, better signage, a better pedestrian crosswalk on Front Street, moving it so it doesn’t connect to a dead end road, putting a cover over the bridge, improving the barriers so things can’t fall into I-81 from the bridge, completing the Greenway so the bridge connects to more things, more events or reasons to go to Old Front Street, and quite a few responses of “No”.

7) How often do you walk or bicycle across the US Route 11/Front Street bridge over I-81?

Never A few times a year

A few times a month

1-3 times a week

4-6 times a week

Everyday

Walk 57.4% 19.1% 10.4% 7.8% 3.5% 1.7% Bicycle 55.7% 18.3% 16.5% 7.0% 1.7% 0.9% Total responses 115 Skipped question 18


34

8) Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statements Strongly

Agree Agree Neither

Agree nor Disagree

Disagree Strongly Disagree

N o Answer

It is important to have a separate bridge over I-81 for bicycles and pedestrians.

56.6% 20.8% 12.3% 4.7% 5.7% 0%

The I-81 pedestrian bridge should be removed

8.5% 2.8% 13.2% 17.0% 57.5% 0.9%

Pedestrian accommodations (sidewalk or wider shoulders) should be added to the US Route 11/Front Street Bridge over I-81.

30.2% 36.8% 11.3% 10.4% 9.4% 1.9%

General improvements to pedestrian accommodations in this area are needed.

49.1% 34.9% 11.3% 2.8% 0% 1.9%

The pedestrian accommodations in this area are adequate

6.6% 9.4% 18.9% 33.0% 30.2% 1.9%

Total answered 106 Skipped question 27


35

9) In order of most to least important, list up to five pedestrian or bicycle improvements that you would like to see in this area.

Suggestions are listed with the most frequently mentioned at the top of this list Sidewalks Wider sidewalks and bicycle lanes Wider shoulders and bike lanes Better lighting, especially on Front Street Lighting for both pedestrian level and for cars More connectivity to other pedestrian/bicycle paths Install crosswalks and pedestrian signals Repair the existing walking surfaces and road shoulders Barrier separated multi-use paths Barrier separated bike lanes Less incline to the bridge Maintain the paths and shoulders with road sweepers Greenlanes Beautify the area New fencing that is more attractive and keeps rocks or stones from being

kicked off the bridge and onto I-81 Slower speed limit on Front Street Continue the pedestrian bridge to cross over Front Street as well as I-81 Make the bridges safer Safety telephones in area Signs warning drivers of bikes and pedestrians in the area Reflective pads on path for night time visibility Drinking fountain Vending machines Have the DMV test people on bicycle rights and safety A BC transit stop father down Old Front Street closer to where the current

ped bridge comes out 59 answered this question and 74 skipped it


36

10) Do you have any other comments about the I-81 pedestrian bridge or pedestrian accommodations in this area? (follows is a list of all the comments submitted) I also drive, but my preferred mode of transportation is bicycle in the area from Chenango St. to Front St as it extends form the Town of Dickinson to Chenango Bridge back to Chenango St via the service road. I ride daily while the weather permits, and I mostly ride through Otsiningo Park out through Otsiningo North, even if it means backtracking to visit other businesses that would be closer if I just road Front St instead of the park. That’s because the cycle lanes are in such need of improvement across the bridge and the area of Front just after. The bike lanes are an asset to the community, please take care of them. I would very much like to keep the ability to walk or bike to the park with my family going forward. I believe that access to that park is on the biggest benefits to living in Sunrise Terrace area, especially during park events like Speidie Fest and for access to the Farmers Market (note, since this survey was done the farmers market has moved from Otsiningo Park to Cornell Cooperative Extension on Front St). I see a lot of foot traffic on Route 11 at all times of the day, any improvement for pedestrians/bikers would be a good thing for those folks. The bridge is an important part of our community giving us access to Otsiningo Park for exercise, recreation, the farmers market (note, since this survey was done the farmers market has moved from Otsiningo Park to Cornell Cooperative Extension on Front St), numerous charitable activities and the Speidie Fest. We would not attend this annual festival without pedestrian access. The bridge is fine having just undergone some upgrades. If I were taking my young children with all of us on bicycles to ride in Otsiningo Park, I would never use the route 11 bridge. I would only use the pedestrian/bicycle bridge. Thank you for asking for feedback on this! There is a substantial community who uses the footbridge on a regular basis. During events like the Spiedie Fest, hundreds more use that footbridge. Remember that any event in this area that brings more traffic to Upper Front St—anything at Cooperative Extension, the college, the construction hub—put pedestrians and bicyclists trying to access Otsiningo and Bevier St at greater risk. I do know there is a group of students currently working on an educational trail network on the BCC grounds. This would be a good opportunity to improve connectivity between BCC and the surrounding neighborhood. Abandon the bridge if it is cheaper to put bike lanes and sidewalks from Sunrise Terrace along Front Street to Prospect Street. Otherwise, keep the bridge. Please don’t close it! I would prefer to see a new bridge built farther north of the current location or retrofit Front Street over 81 with bike/pedestrian access. If the bridge is replaced in its current location it would make sense that it cross to the other side of Front Street Pedestrian accommodation are important to support walking/bicycling rather than driving I am strongly against removing the walk bridge. It gives us access from the Terrace to Front St. Unless something is changed drastically we need that access for safety concerns. I also have a concern that if the entrance to the Terrace is closed the walk bridge is the only access in or out of the Terrace. The State, Town and City need to establish a system that works throughout the area. Development in the project vicinity has increased while accommodations for pedestrians and other transportation modes have been lacking. It was a major selling point in the house I recently purchased, easy access to the park. I believe it would be a disservice to the area to eliminate this pedestrian bridge. Given its location, I believe that a signature pedestrian bridge should be constructed welcoming visitors from the north to the City of Binghamton. A VMS unit could be incorporated into any new bridge to advise motorists of regional events. Leave it alone. It isn’t a bother so why change it!! More waste of money.


37

Could a Sunrise Terrace “escape route” be built between Adams St and the development center? Under no circumstances should this bridge be eliminated. Broome County has beautiful biking country. We must do more to emphasis and capitalize on this feature. The bridge allows bikes to cross I81 easily. The ‘walkbridge’ is an important part of our community. It has been in place for 45 years and has served us well! Please consider our real life concerns in your study. There is a balance in weighing all the options. I don’t believe the spiedie fest should be the deciding factor since all of those folks could go to broome community college and get a ride. The pedestrian bridge is the only safe access over the highway. Front St is downright dangerous. There are no sidewalks and the amount of traffic is so great that I would feel at risk even if sidewalks were added. If a new bridge is built, it should be a BCC to the park. Lights are needed. It is too dark there for safe passage for any pedestrian or biker. Replace it!!!! Compared to other Upstate areas, the Binghamton area has great pedestrian and bicycle access. Not having a pedestrian bridge across 81 would have a negative impact on this. With only one entrance to Sunrise Terrace, it is essential that another form of egress be available to the residence living here. With the present bridge, an ambulance, police or fire truck can have access in an emergency should the one entrance way be blocked. THIS COUL D BE A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH. Extend the bike path to BCC I think it is important to have pedestrian/bicycle accommodations in this area, either via the pedestrian bridge or along Front street itself. We need some easy, safe way to bike from Binghamton to BCC, either along Front street and/or from Bevier Street. Crossing Old Front Street at Front Street also needs a lot of improving. Current bridge is not convenient to BCC or Morningside heights. Would rather see the money spent on upgrading general bike/pedestrian lanes than on a replacement bridge. We spend a great deal of money on greenways, bicycle paths, etc. We should seek grants and budget whatever money is needed to either make repairs or replace the pedestrian bridge. This bridge is an extension, in my view, of our present greenways through Otsiningo Park. The traffic light at Upper Front St. and Old Front St. needs pedestrian accommodations all the way around – it’s a major disconnect. I would be in favor of taking down the pedestrian bridge only if sidewalks and bike lanes are added to the US 11.Front St Bridge. This segment is an important connection to the Two Rivers Greenway running throughout the area. It is also an important connection providing individuals with transportation options for work, school and shopping as well as recreation. The Sunrise Community fought to have that pedestrian bridge put in so the children would not be isolated from the school community on the east side of Front St. BCC phys ed classes use the bridge. Sheriff deputy training use the bridge. People from Morningside Heights use the bridge. Workers for McD’s & the motels use the bridge to get to work. We need the I-81 pedestrian bridge! Please do not tear it down or do away with it! There are now a lot of places on Front Street that people want to get to both a consumers or employees, and I think we need to encourage all these people to sue walking and cycling as a means of getting to their destinations. Not everyone has or wants a car, so we need to make it safe for everyone. 1. Further to 9.3 above: Many students walk or cycle from the city to BCC—a sidewalk and bike lane is necessary. 2. The extant ped. Bridge goes well out of the way of most. If it is practical from a space-to-build-it standpoint, a better solution might be to built it parallel to the Rte. 11 road bridge. 3. Than k you for seeking or input & not basing a decision purely on finances.


38

Have it go over front street so people would be able to avoid crossing front street. And have an additional route to or from the intersection on front street to over by the McDonalds area. The street lighting at Exit 5 is terrible. Many busy exits in the area are well-lit, but Exit 5 has had bad lighting for years. It also appears that all lights at the exit have been turned off. It is particularly difficult to see pedestrians at night. Appropriate lighting, similar to Exit 4, should be installed as soon as possible. This is very important.

11) How often do you use each of the following modes of transportation?

Never A few times a year

A few times a month

1-3 times a week

4-6 times a week

Everyday

Motorized Vehicle (Car, Truck, Motorcycle, etc.)

0.0% 1.0% 2.1% 4.1% 18.6% 74.2%

Walking (To or From a Destination)

5.2% 7.2% 19.6% 25.8% 18.6% 23.7%

Bicycle 20.6% 21.6% 20.6% 17.5% 16.5% 3.1% Public Transportation

72.2% 21.6% 1.0% 4.1% 0.0% 1.0%

Other (Please Specify)*

94.8% 2.1% 0% 1.0% 2.1% 0%

Answered Question 97 Skipped Question 36

*Responses for other including airplane travel, railroad travel and running.

12) How old are you? Response Percent Response Count Under 18 0.0% 0 18 – 24 2.1% 2 25-34 20.8% 20 35-44 15.6% 15 45-54 20.8% 20 55-60 16.7% 16 61-70 20.8% 20 Older than 70 3.1% 3 Answered Question 96 Skipped Question 37 13. What is your gender? 62.5% reported as male, 37.5% reported as female with 96 respondents answering the question and 37 skipping it.


39

14) How many people, including yourself, live in your household? Number of responses Percent of Response 1 10 10.7% 2 39 41.9% 3 19 20.4% 4 15 16.1% 5 7 7.5% 6 3 3.2% Total responses 93 Skipped question 40

15) What is your occupation? Number of Responses Percentage of Responses Professional 2 2.5% Manager 6 7.5% Dental Assistant 1 1.25% Engineer 10 12.5% School Counselor 1 1.25% Medicine 2 2.5% Planner 1 1.25% Scientist 1 1.25% Delivery Driver 1 1.25% Retiree 15 18.75% Physical Therapist 1 1.25% Crossing Guard 1 1.25% Clerk 3 3.75% Government worker 5 6.25% IT support 2 2.5% Teacher 4 5% Customer service rep 1 1.25% Family Advocate 1 1.25% Hospitality 1 1.25% Student 3 3.75% Pharmacist 1 1.25% Laborer 1 1.25% Nurses aide 1 1.25% Bookkeeper 1 1.25% Lawncare 1 1.25% Transportation planner 1 1.25% Attorney 1 1.25% Unemployed 1 1.25% Social Worker 2 2.5% Business Owner 1 1.25% Planner 2 2.5% Food service 1 1.25% Driver 1 1.25% Teaching Assistant 1 1.25% Technical 1 1.25% Education administrator 1 1.25%


40

16) Do you have any other comments?

This survey should be circulated to BCC students. Also, I there that if there is a lack of users on this bridge it is more a reflection of the lack of upkeep and clear signage, not the usefulness of the bridge I think this bridge adds a lot to the quality of life in this neighborhood. This font could be a lot bigger! Whatever option is chosen, this is going to be a big expensive project and won’t be done for many years. I think it is important that you meet with officials at BCC and other businesses on Front Street for input on the bridge. Thank you for taking my comments into consideration. Replace replace replace Thank you A bridge must remain! The second access to the Terrace played an important role in us buying and moving here. Save it! Save it! The bridge needs to stay in place. Do not remove the existing pedestrian bridge until you have a project to replace it and accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Thank you for seeking our input.

17) Please consider providing your contact information so that we can send you additional information about this study and future projects. 30 people submitted their names and addresses for future contact.

pin 950112 planning study · places of employment, shopping and recreational activities. the area...

Documents