Despite public support and an obligation to evaluate cycling and pedestrian access to the proposed Interstate 90/71 Bridge from tremont to downtown, the Ohio Department of Transportation refused to do so.In response, a bunch of cycling and community groups took on the responsibilities ODOT dropped. Come out next Sunday, December 6th, and learn about an exciting vision for a cycling and pedestrian lane on the bridge and why an exciting, beautiful path (along with a place to enjoy the view) to connect the towpath and downtown makes sense for Northeast Ohio.
ClevelandBikes has been working with the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, Green City Blue Lake Institute, the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative and others, to develop a cycling and pedestrian lane for the proposed Interstate 90/71 bridge, from Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood to downtown Cleveland. Because ODOT refused to consider the option, despite strong public support and legal requirements, a lawsuit was filed and designers developed an option for the public to consider.
A rally to support pedestrian and bike access on the bridge will be held next Sunday, December 6th at 2pm at Lincoln Park in Tremont (W. 14th Street and Kenilworth Avenue). Anyone interested in safe, convenient and healthy car-free access between Downtown and Tremont (and a great scenic overlook of downtown) is invited to attend: the event is free, and refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Cyclists are urged to ride their bikes, with free mechanical safety checks provided by the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op. Helmets are strongly suggested, and OCBC will have some available to borrow or purchase.
The rally will evaluate alternative walking and biking routes proposed by ODOT for the bridge and present other information about a dedicated path over the bridge. Participants will divide into groups, taking a different route from Lincoln Park to the intersection of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue, where a brief rally will address the issues of equity and civic interest in this nearly $1 billion project, before returning to Tremont for refreshments and discussion of strategies for further public input in this process.
After the rally, the job is not over. Please follow-up and attend the next meeting of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), when this local board will decide on ODOT’s final proposal for funding of this project. You can also email, call, or write Cleveland Mayor’s action line, 216 664 2900 (or email mayorsactioncenter [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us">mayorsactioncenter [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us) and the ODOT project director, Craig Hebebrand, at 216 581 2100 (or email him at craig [dot] hebebrand [at] dot [dot] state [dot] oh [dot] us) to let ODOT know you support biking and walking the proposed I-90/71 bridge!
This huge taxpayer investment -- ODOT’s largest ever -– will affect the places we live, work and play for the rest of our lives. Any donations to the event organizers will be used to help pay for engineering and professional services to document ODOT miscalculations of the feasibility and cost to safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists in this project. For more information, please stay tuned and visit Green City Blue Lake Institute [1].
Kevin Cronin
ClevelandBikes : When ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Benefits!
Links:
[1] http://www.GCBL.org