Park connection
New Bridge Design TDOT
Functional
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In replacing the existing bridge the City had specifically requested that TDOT include a 6 bike lane and a wide (5) sidewalk on the southern side of the new bridge in order to improve safe pedestrian and bike linkage to the Greenbelt that begins on the east side of the bridge. The City had also planned to extend sidewalk up to Rotherwood Estates and eventually all the way up to Stone Drive to further expand safe access to the Greenbelt with this project. |
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Keeping the old bridge for use as a designated pedestrian / bike lane essentially replaces the need to build the sidewalk or the bike lane on the new bridge. As a result, TDOT reports that the new bridge construction costs would reduced by $200,000 (City pays 20% or $40,000) for the elimination of sidewalks and $100,000 (City share $20,000) by not proceeding to demolish the existing structure. |
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From a functional perspective the use of the existing bridge would require either a surface crossing to get over to the Greenbelt side of the road or a wrap-under path to provide a direct connection to the Greenbelt extended beneath the existing bridge. |