CHESAPEAKE
City officials say the cost of the $16 million bike path along Dominion Boulevard could go up nearly $2 million.
While still only a small part of a $373 million plan to widen Dominion and replace the Steel Bridge, the cost of the bike path is a big thorn in the side of the project - and likely a major topic of discussion during a public hearing set for Wednesday.
At the hearing, residents will be able to make their feelings known about the project, which is largely unfunded. The plans include replacing the Steel Bridge with a tolled high-rise fixed bridge and involve upgrades to difficult intersections such as Dominion Boulevard and Cedar Road.
Then, of course, there's the bike path.
Federal and state legislators have said that $16 million is too much for a bike path, and City Manager William Harrell said he wants state transportation officials to make a ruling on the city's plan to let bicyclists use a 10-foot-wide shoulder. That option, officials say, would cost $1.5 million.
Bicyclists say they are already upset about the way Chesapeake leaders have handled the situation.
In a letter to The Pilot, Bruce Drees of the Tidewater Bicycle Association took a swipe at city, state and federal legislators who he said seemed to have little regard for bicyclists. "Our political leadership can and must do better than what we have seen so far on Dominion," wrote Drees, whose group thinks the city should maintain bike and pedestrian access as part of the project.
He also took aim at the $16 million figure from the city. "Local bike and trail supporters have questioned the number from the beginning," he wrote.
In response to a request from The Pilot, Chesapeake officials created a graphic breaking down the costs of the 14-foot-wide bike path. The bike path is so expensive, officials say, because it means adding width to the new bridge.
"Another way to look at it is, you're building a bridge for the bikes across the river," said Paul Dunn, assistant city engineer for Chesapeake.
The cost estimate increased by nearly $2 million because the planned bridge is longer now than it was when the city obtained the $16 million estimate about two years ago, Dunn said. The actual portion of the bike path that will be built on the new bridge is planned for 6,030 feet, more than a mile.
City officials also have included cost breakdowns for a 10-foot-wide bike path, which is estimated to cost nearly $13 million.
While city leaders understand the frustration over the bike path, they hope it won't dominate discussion over the Dominion Boulevard project, which could greatly improve what is considered one of Chesapeake's most dangerous stretches of road.
In June, the city agreed to pay $4.3 million to settle a lawsuit arising from a serious crash on Dominion. In August, the City Council voted to pay $2.2 million to pave the road's shoulders.
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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Bleriot
First thing that comes to my mind when you propose 'melting' is I thnk some of them beleive that. In my experience those who do not exercise look for reasons to undermine those that do. It defends their lack of doing so. You know, joggers having heart attacks and such. I think the next logical step in their argument is that you do not use as much fuel thus generating less taxes than those who do not bike so you should not use the road.
It's twisted but I believe this.
Pork vs. Need !!
An 18 Million bike path or the Jordan Bridge to the scrap yard!?! The JB is already bike friendly !! I’ve never biked across it but have walked it many times, each time sharing the sidewalk with friendly cyclists on their way to work or back. The 18 Million bike path over the Steel Bridge is going to be for recreation. It’s not going to see the kind of bike traffic that the Jordan does out of need. Bikes are the only form of transportation for some of those crossing the Jordan to get to work everyday. What options will they have?...Catching the TRT from here to there is a laugh...get up an hour earlier to peddle down to the Gilmerton? People will lose their jobs. Oh well, at least they will have more time to enjoy the 18 Million bike path collecting aluminum cans along the way to make a living. Note: JB was gifted to city in 1977 free & clear, then turned a toll profit for 10 years. Chesapeake City Council mismanagement abounds!!
Have you ever considered....
That a motorists and a cyclist can be the same person? Yesterday I rode my bike to work, today I drove my 1991 trooper that uses gas, and I pay taxes on. A whole lot of problems would be solved if all drivers reacquaint themselves with the pedal on the left. Its called a brake.
Pass when safe and You'll make a cyclists day.
Cyclists, ride by the rules of the road and make a motorist happy.
Both, consider that your needs on the road are no more important than the other person on the road, and the world will be happier.
Its a nice day out, go for a ride. (what?...you gonna melt?)
Take note Don
It's a good idea. We are doing it here in Currituck. Our man in the show (Basnight) has placed a small pedestrian passing on our mid-county bridge. This is being done hand in hand w/ the private sector via tolls. The only difference is we do not have to have it so high for the ships.
Libertarian Bridge?
Wouldn't have to be a Libertarian, any capitalist could build it, but the likelihood that the State would then build a nearby "free" bridge makes that difficult to sell. You have to cut the State in for a piece of the action to do it.
Of course, buy the time you read this, the Pilot will probably have dropped the article. They're taking about 10 hrs to approve a post today.
Apparently their automatic censoring system put me on their bad boy list because I used the name of the recent supreme court decision on the 2nd Amendment in a post on the Norfolk court case and it thought I was using foul language.
In any case, until they correct that, carrying on any kind of reasoned debate on the issues is pretty much impossible.
Don't be dead beats
libertarian infrastructure extends to the end of the driveway, or so it would seem. You folks better get to Lowe's and buy yourself a generator, better figure a way to refine your own gas while you're at it (or start riding bikes . . . ). Teach your own kids as best you can --teach a couple of em to be doctors while you're at it, you'll eventually need one. Pick up your own trash, etc.
But seriously, We all live under the auspices of that civilization. our civilization depends, in part, on our infrastructure. That infrastructure costs money that you and I simply have to pay. Bike path and foot paths are part of that infrastructure, or should be, for plenty of good reasons. It's pretty simple.
Yep again
NoVaCyclist brought up an issue the anti cycling crowd has not noticed. The largest cost is to accomadate ships...not bikes.
"I am sorry but property taxes are not collected to build bridges."
Maybe that what they are intended to do but the money for roads has been pulled from multiple funds. Check it out. Regardless, your argument assumes cyclists never drive which we do.
"For example, if a Libertarian wanted a bike path they would not beg the government for the money to build it. They would raise their own money and get it done on their own."
Then they could build their own bridge, right?
They shouldn't need my tax dollars and this is now a non-issue. I raise my glass to the Libertarian bridge.
IRA
I got you too Ira and yes we have been over it. I have read to many posts by Mr. Barrett and have picked that habit of repeating myself. Sorry. However, it is not unreasonable that the few bicyclists who want these big ticket bike paths and trails, should have to contribute to it's costs and maintanence. Motorists have to do it and so should bicyclists.
To NOVACYCLIST: Asking for the shipping industry to pay for the bridge? Dream on sir. That's like asking the Port of Virginia to pay for the MPO's third crossing. That is a gravy train for the port and the business community. It will mostly benefit them and put the cost of paying for it on us.
looking at the map
I'm trying to figure out where the bikes would come from and where they would be going out in the middle of nowhere.
the key to attracting and
the key to attracting and retaining a quality workforce is a having a place in which those workers want to live. The key to attracting and retaining businesses is a quality workforce. Good schools, parks, decent roads and yes, even bike paths, are part of that equation. While it may be difficult to put an ROI on any one amenity that a city offers, it is pretty clear that bike paths and bicycle friendly roads are one of these amenities.
"Why is nobody discussing
"Why is nobody discussing the fact that the bulk of the Steel Bridge's replacement cost is to raise the bridge 95 feet above the river? Instead of complaining about the relatively small added cost of providing adequate access across the river for bicyclists and pedestrians, ask why the shipping industy is not paying for this bridge."
Good questions, once the bridge is built the ships will no longer have to wait up to an hour for the bridge to open, rather they can go right under. They should pitch in about 10-20 percent.
no money
ok here again i'm reading all these letters and what ya'll fail to remember is they said they do not have the money to fund a new jordan bridge but they have money to rebuild or replace the steel bridge with a bike path. ok what a bunch of fibbers.......where's it coming from? or what financial institution is supporting this... why can't they get these same people to help us save the jordan? doesn't make any sense now does it? like i said rethink this? the steel bridge is fine just like it is. we always complain about traffic, well if you tear down the jordan things WILL get worse. tell me where in hampton roads there is no traffic!! things that make you go hmmm.
NoVa - It's Cheaper at 95 Feet
Your comment is off base. Actually, the 95 height is cheaper than the 65 height. The mechanism to regularly open a 65 foot bridge is very expensive, while the 95 height bridge will have the ability to open on occassion (much like the high rise on I-64), the equipment is by far less expensive.
The Steel Bridge Is a Subsidy for Shippers
Why is nobody discussing the fact that the bulk of the Steel Bridge's replacement cost is to raise the bridge 95 feet above the river? Instead of complaining about the relatively small added cost of providing adequate access across the river for bicyclists and pedestrians, ask why the shipping industy is not paying for this bridge.
I am sorry but property
I am sorry but property taxes are not collected to build bridges. Road infrastructure is (or should be) funded by tolls or gasoline taxes. Property taxes pay for other services like police and fire.
Although I am not a Libertarian, I believe they want a small government and if they want something they tell the gov't to get out of their way and will get it done on their own. For example, if a Libertarian wanted a bike path they would not beg the government for the money to build it. They would raise their own money and get it done on their own.
Gimme a shoulder to ride on.
I've lived in the Tidewater area all my life, I've been riding since age 15. I'm now 43. This area has never thought of a bicycle as a form of transportation, Just a toy you chuck to the side after getting a license to drive your dads SUV.
Of course there is sticker shock when dealing with building a road or bridge that is common place in almost every other state in the country.
I'll do nicely with a wide shoulder that gets street sweeped every now and then. Bike lanes add more places where cars and bikes will cross paths. Being on the road, you are part of the traffic. which is where the wider shoulder comes in handy.
I would love it if we had heavy snowfalls here,why? We would have wide shoulders made to accommodate plowed snow(and bikes in warm weather)
A compromise
The path should be narrower. A toll to all crossers seems fair to me. Not the one you have suggested but a toll none the less. As for the bridge itself though, pedestrians and bikers should be able to cross water if it is the only reasonable path.
Now, now, Ira
Motorists also pay those same property and other taxes with which you credit cyclists. But that bridge will be paid for by fuel taxes and tolls.
Motorists pay the fuel taxes and cyclists don't. (I have suggested a Spandex tax to even that out, but so far, the GA hasn't passed one.)
But if motorists can pay toll and fuel taxes to cover the $373 million dollar cost of the bridge, it really doesn't seem that much to ask cyclists to pay for the $18 million they want to add to the cost for their use.
Of course, the real point is that so few cyclists will ever use that route anyway that it is foolish to throw $18 million dollars of our tax money away for a perk for a handful of hobbyists, unless they are willing to pay their own way. And yes, we Libertarians expect people to pay their own way and not shove their costs off on others.
More screeching from the minority...
Like the Jordon Bridge, the minority is screaming for everyone to pay for something only the minority will use.
I don't see the "spandex warriors" not riding on our narrow roads; try driving down Mount Pleasant Road on any given weekend.
Do us all a favor and buy a stationary bike...
I gotcha' keith and Don
"If you want your 16 million dollar bike paths, then pony up your share of the money for it."
We have been over this. Everyone of those bikers pays property taxes on their homes, and pays to license and insure their cars. The registrations and insurance you propose is nothing more than punitive. basically those who PREFER to sit back in a car want to punish those that are not like them.
That's what being a Libertarian is about? Squashing those different than you? When was the last time you saw your feet?