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  Bridges are an absolutely critical link in a trail or bikeway system. Many bridges were built without bike or pedestrian accommodation in mind, and thus create a barrier to effective trail systems. A recent Alta study of bridges in Portland, Oregon concluded that:

• improvements to bridges have been extremely successful in increasing bicycle and pedestrian use,
• connections to the trail system provide the biggest bang for the buck, and
• providing linkages to the trail system and bridges via the surface streets is a critical factor in increasing usage.

More than $12 million worth of improvements over ten years tied four bridges directly into Portland's trail network. These improvements included:

• Addition of off-street facilities (shared use paths)
• Striping bike lanes, signing
• Improving safety at conflict areas
• Redesigning sidewalk ramps to meet ADA

Bike use increased dramatically as a result. On three of the four bridges, bike use went up 78% in the 1990s, compared with a 14% increase in the population and an 8% increase in motor vehicle use on these bridges. Moreover, the most dramatic and expensive improvements had the most significant impact. For example, bike use on the Burnside Bridge tripled when bike lanes were installed in 1993 (cost of $20,000), but has remained flat since that time at less than 1000 daily cyclists. In comparison, bike use on the Hawthorne Bridge soared to over 3000 daily cyclists due to much-improved sidewalks and access improvements (cost of more than $1.3 million).

To view the entire Alta study, please visit our website at www.altaplanning.com

Alta is using the City of Cambridge's GIS files as a base in laying out options for a Rail-With-Trail in this corridor. Because the line is in a prime location, there are several competing entities that would like to use the right-of-way through this dense urban area. MIT has purchased most of the land where the rail runs along the campus, granting an easement to CSX for use of the rail and spur. MIT built a chiller plant, power plant, nuclear reactor and parking areas along the track - all uses which require service access. For its part, the regional transit agency (MBTA) is considering the corridor for its "Urban Ring" transit service which will link the current radial transportation modes in the inner core of the Boston area. The current Urban Ring plan has two phases - bus rapid transit and trolley service - both of which include use of much of the rail corridor. And CSX, of course, wants continued access to their rail for freight use.

Currently, the City of Cambridge is reviewing Alta's plans before CSX, the MBTA and MIT (among others) review and comment on the concept design. For more information on this project, contact Steve Ventresca at sventresca@altaplanning.com.

  Alta submitted a draft Central Marin Ferry Connector Feasibility report to the City of Larkspur (CA) in January 2003. This project, funded by a Bay Trail grant that Alta staff Josh Abrams assisted in obtaining, focused on a critical gap in the north-south bikeway network in Marin County. Located about 20 miles north of San Francisco, the project corridor will link several existing pathway segments and also enhance connections to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. In the future, when the CalPark Tunnel is re-opened for bicyclists, people will be able to ride or walk for 10 miles between Corte Madera and San Rafael. Currently, bicyclists and pedestrians must use a narrow sidewalk on a U.S. 101 bridge over Corte Madera Creek. Interesting aspects of this project include the potential re-use of a historic railroad trestle and drawbridge built in the 1880s, and out of use for about 30 years. Structural engineers analyzed these and other facilities, and helped develop cost estimates. The final route selected is estimated to cost about $7 million.

  Last Spring, the Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) Regional Municipality (HRM) hired Environmental Design and Management Limited (EDM) of Halifax and Alta Planning + Design to assist them in the preparation of HRM's first Bicycle Plan.

Paul Smith, Principal and head of Alta's Eastern region, traveled to Halifax in July 2002 to work with EDM, municipal officials and the public on the bicycle plan. Through five public workshops, participants provided input on existing bicycling conditions, needs, deficiencies and opportunities in terms of facilities, programs and policies.

In October the consultant team and the HRM Bicycle Coordinator investigated specific barriers and corridors where bicycling improvements are desired by the public. Five mini-studies were prepared addressing improvements at a major highway overpass, on two urban arterial roads, and on a highway and trail linking communities within the region.

An action plan is incorporated in the blueprint and includes near- term, mid-term and long-term projects and policy recommendations. Alta suggested changes to the HRM Red Book Specifications on roadways and streets to better accommodate bicycles.

The Blueprint for a Bicycle-Friendly HRM was adopted by Halifax Regional Council on December 10, 2002. With Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can view or download the Final Report of the Bike Plan at http://www.region.halifax.ns.ca/cycling/.

  A spate of recent studies confirms what we all suspect: trails are financially beneficial. For example, the average economic activity associated with three trails in Florida, California, and Iowa was $1.5 million annually. A trail near Dallas generates over $2 million in annual revenue, and the San Antonio Riverwalk is the state’s 2nd most important tourist attraction.

Other benefits include:

• Increased property values near the greenway or trail. A 1998 study of property values along the Mountain Bay Trail in Wisconsin shows that lots adjacent to the trail sold faster and for an average of nine percent more than similar property not located next to the trail. Developers in Apex, North Carolina sold 40 homes adjacent to a greenway for $5000 more than others; these homes sold faster as well. Similar results have been found in numerous communities, from Washington to Maryland.
• Expenditures by trail users. A U.S. Forest Service study of 19 Illinois trails showed a range of $1 to $73 per person per trip. Other studies in Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and Indiana found expenditures ranging from $4 to $26 per person per day.
• Lower environmental costs: Several communities have identified millions of dollars in value of wetlands creation through trail projects. The wetlands provide water filtration and treatment opportunities. Property owners in Tulsa, Oklahoma, along a creek saw reduced insurance rates once the greenway and trail project preserved and enhanced the floodplain.
• Business/job creation: Numerous trails in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and other states have seen enormous business as a result of trail projects. Closer to home, we can see the Springwater Grill along the Springwater Corridor, and the potential creation of numerous businesses along the Eastbank Esplanade.

An overall Norwegian study found the benefit-to-cost ratio of investments in trails ranges from 2.94 to 14.34. These calculations included safety, health, parking, capital, and maintenance costs. So the next time you’re at a public trail meeting and hear the refrain, “this trail is going to reduce my property value,” you can let them know the truth: trails benefit the economy!

For a complete bibliography of relevant studies, see www.altaplanning.com.

  Alta is finalizing the Cascade to Rubicon Bay Bikeway Study for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The Study evaluated several options for improving bicycle access along State Highway 89 through the Emerald Bay corridor in Lake Tahoe.

Emerald Bay is one of Tahoe's most scenic and pristine natural areas, as well as a heavily-visited recreational destination. Narrow travel lanes and shoulders, high summer traffic volumes and steep grades discourage many from bicycling on Highway 89, however. The Study looked at the feasibility of highway shoulder widening or re-striping to better accommodate on-road bicyclists, as well as off-highway alternatives such as a multi-use path and a combined on/off-street route linking low volume residential streets and State Park access roads. The Study also identified ways of improving bicycle access on transit/trolleys serving the corridor, and discussed the provision of a new bicycle water ferry service on Lake Tahoe.

For more information on the Study, please contact Brett Hondorp at bhondorp@altaplanning.com.

    Grant deadlines are approaching! Some deadlines include:

Contact our grant specialist, Josh Abrams, at jabrams@altaplanning.com if you have questions or need help on your grant applications.

    Aside from our consulting services, Alta is deeply involved in helping communities become more livable. Some of our programs include:

• Pro-Bono Assistance: Alta staff are available to help community groups and agencies on a pro bono basis, whether it is answering questions or assiting with research. Every year we donate hundreds of hours to help our colleagues in a variety of areas. Call an Alta professional today to find out more about this, or come into one of our offices and use our library of resources.
   
• Conference Support Program: Alta offers help to deserving individuals who wish to attend conferences in fields related to bicycles, pedestrians, and trails. This may include plane tickets, other travel costs, and conference costs. Contact Michael Jones or Mia Birk to find out more about this program.