Which do you prefer at Frisco Trail & MLK – a tunnel, a bridge or a crosswalk?
With a Frisco Trail southern extension on the horizon, city officials are asking residents to help decide the best way for trail users to cross Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Should the trail be built in a tunnel, on a bridge, or directly on the street using a crosswalk?
Several people gave their opinions Thursday evening during a public meeting held at the Senior Activity and Wellness Center, but staff will continue to accept input through June 22 (here’s a link to a PDF version of the form to fill out).
Trails coordinator Matt Mihalevich said after public input is closed, the three options will also be considered during the July 11 meeting of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee. Since Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a state highway, the issue must also be forwarded to the Arkansas Highway Department for consideration. Eventually, the Fayetteville City Council’s Street Committee will have the final say.
The options
Engineers with Garver LLC were on hand Thursday to discuss the three choices. Here’s a brief overview of each crossing option.
Tunnel
The tunnel would stretch 114 feet diagonally from the current dead-end point of Frisco Trail at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to an area just west of the Farmer’s Cooperative. The tunnel would be built exclusively for the trail, similar to the 270-foot tunnel that was just completed under Garland Avenue (see photos here). The estimated cost of the tunnel is $1,339,397.
Bridge
A bridge would require a slight western detour on Prairie Street to align the trail with Gregg Avenue. It would then stretch 153 feet diagonally from Gregg to an area just east of Government Avenue and would require some land acquisition south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Since the bridge would need to be 20 feet tall, a 310-foot ramp would be constructed on each side to ensure a gradual slope and, according to city staff, would likely require permanently closing Gregg Avenue to vehicular traffic. The estimated cost of the bridge, not including land acquisition, is $1,615,088.
At-grade crosswalk
A street-level crossing would require a more extensive western detour on Prairie Street (including a bridge over a stream) to eventually align the trail with Government Avenue where it would head south and then cross Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard with a full traffic signal. It would continue south before turning east to connect with the currently planned trail extension. The estimated cost of the crosswalk is $960,726.
Tunnel.
Safer.
Faster.
Easier to navigate.
Easier to maintain.
jmo
I’d have to go with tunnel as well.
Tunnel
The tunnel route makes the most sense. And if the tunnel up under Garland is an example, then it seems the best option.
Tunnel
Tunnel seems sketchy. Floods. Remember how bad that southern part of town flooded? Bridge is more expensive but I think it could be a real asset to Fayetteville. Instead of two tunnels you could have a tunnel AND a bridge ! How progressive!
A bridge would be cool, but it sounds like it would eat up a lot of real estate. I vote for the tunnel.
As long as we’re dreaming…
Tunnel: http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jul/13/we-helped-guide-them-to-build-something-that-would/
Bridge, http://archisdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Exclusive-design-pedestrian-bridge-in-Spain1.jpg
I vote tunnel. Safe, effective, a clean look, and reduced upkeep. I like the idea of closing a street to vehicular traffic but I have bad images of these old rusted out, crime infested pedestrian bridges in the poor area of the city that I was afraid to use as a kid.
I don’t like the crosswalk idea. A lot of traffic could cause some really bad days for people.
Crosswalk. No question.
Another vote for the tunnel.
crosswalk
Please tell me the administration isn’t going to make a potential 0.64 million dollar decision based on an informal poll on a blog which might garner 40 or so votes?
I made sure to include the information regarding what the city is going to make the decision based on in my story above. Just read it.
Facts and information just get in the way.
I get that the money to construct the trails mostly comes from sources out side the city, it still doesn’t pay Matt Mihalevich’s salary or other city workers pay for that matter. Also does the other sources pay for the safety and maintenance in perpetuity?
That’s correct, mmueller. Employee salaries are paid from the city’s operating budget (see #14), not grant money.
Since the trails are turned over to the Parks & Recreation department for maintenance and upkeep after construction is complete, that money comes from one-half of the city’s 2% HMR tax.
Hope that helps.
If Mihalevich’s duties include securing millions of dollars in free money for parks projects, I’d say his salary is a fine investment for our city.
Oh he is securing the monies. Who hired him?
I think a bridge would be nice, but that won’t happen, especially if you have to shut down Gregg.
Tunnel as last option. While necessary at Fulbright Expressway and under 6th Street, both are muck and moisture magnets. Unless the city is going to commit to maintainence, no more tunnels. The ONLY accident I had on the trails was a full-on lay down because of the permanent slime on the south end of Fulbright tunnel.
Zipline
I agree. As a daily trail commuter, I cringe at the thought of another tunnel. They are dangerous – visibility-wise as well as slippery. I damaged myself and my bike badly from the losing my traction going into a slippery tunnel last year and I always have to strain my eyes to see inside and go super slow so I will not wipe out or sling slime all over myself and my bike. I cross MLK at Government at least twice a day on my bike and I hardly ever have any problem getting across the street there. The traffic is surprisingly little (due to the lights at School and Hill). I don’t think anything more than a blinking crosswalk is needed there.
I know what you guys mean about the slippery, slimy tunnels, but those are actually storm water drains that were there before the trails were built and were then modified to allow for trail traffic. That’s why they tend to be full of moisture and in many cases, water.
Newly constructed trail tunnels, like the one just completed under Garland Avenue, are built exclusively for trail users.
The new one under Garland was nice and dry even after our recent rainstorm, which was nice to see.
Tunnel at this location and a bridge for the South School crossing. Safety first- which means no crosswalks. Forcing trail users and motor vehicle traffic to travel over the same space is wrong and should be avoided whenever possible.
Tunnel would be my choice from a use perspective, but since I’ll likely never use the trails I vote for the cheap option.
I think the tunnel would be the best option. I just know that a crosswalk is out for me. I dont want to slow down rushhour traffic just cause I’m taking a ride across Martin Luther.
No question, a dry tunnel.
No Cross walk
Tunnel probably
Bridge would be fun.
Zip line would be very fun but how do I hold on to my bike?
We can put your bike on a zip line as well. You catch it on the other side. Fun for all.
yeah the zipline would be fun..lol.
Please consider the part of town where the tunnel will be located and the danger of intoxicated persons waiting down there in the dark for some unsuspecting person. They are all over Walker park at all hours of the day and night. It is sketchy to walk around the park in broad daylight, especially the isolated “Senior Walk” portion. A bridge, while apparently a slightly greater initial investment, would be safer in the long run. This is supposed to be about the *safety* of those using the trails, after all.
I’ve done the loop around Walker park many times, including the part around the senior center. No issues so far…though I only go there during the day.
As to the crossing, I would say either a bridge or tunnel, no particular preference. That street seems too busy, the speeds too high, and the road too wide for a crosswalk.
Marr Jordan are full speed ahead with spending money on the trail system, money the city does not have.
Staff note: This project should be fully funded by grants with no cost to the city.
I believe that entire trail expansion, including the crossings at MLK and School, are being completely paid for with grant money, at no cost to the city. I hope it works out that way!
Grant money Vandelay I don’t think so.
Staff note: Actually, vandelay is correct. See story above.
http://wonderstatemedia.com/docs/fayettevillecitycouncil/2012/03/032012/A6%20-%20Frisco%20Trail%20Southern%20Extension.pdf
Here’s the document showing that grant money completely pays for the engineering, and that the Walton foundation has committed to provide further funding for construction next year.
I know we have budget issues, but taking advantage of available grant money is awesome for our city.
Also note that in the section that passes across private property, (the upcoming apartment complex), the property owners have agreed to pay for their section of trail.
vandelay did some checking MLK tunnel is not fully funded by GRANT MONEY at this time.
Staff note: Correct. As stated in the story above, the remainder of construction costs are expected (not guaranteed) to be covered by the Walton Family Foundation as part of the Razorback Regional Greenway.
Tunnel makes sense.
I’m completely with Southside Resident on this one. Either a bridge or a tunnel are far superior options to a crosswalk, but, because of the location in town, something just tells me that a tunnel in that area is asking for trouble. Pedestrian bridges would be very nice.
I actually think a crosswalk could work fine and would help motorists learn to respect bike & foot traffic everywhere else. It would have to be a push button system with a reasonable wait time. One or two waiting spots along the entire trail shouldn’t be too much to put up with for trail users. And drivers can darn well get used to it.
Either way but crosswalks is good for me. The crosswalk at North Street is scary, I had a bad experience there with my dog, people just don’t know how to act (and I’m including the trail-users in that statement). i don’t agree with statement about training drivers, this is about safety, not risking lives to teach lessons, and drivers are only half the problem.
I think its awesome that they’re opening it up to feedback like this, good job Matt!!
Agreed. Crosswalks on major roadways are not very safe. The North St. crosswalk, for example, is busy and very confusing for all users. The push button light system will reduce the confusion which should increase safety but it is still going to be a scary proposition. Even with enhanced traffic lighting systems people will continue to be hit and possibly die trying to cross the road. It only takes one distracted automobile operator to end your pedestrian life. I often count 3 to 4 out of every 10 drivers using cell phones to talk or text while driving. I cross North St. on the trail at least twice each day and each day I wonder if my life insurance will be paid out.
I vote tunnel if it looks as good as the Meadow Valley Trail tunnel.
1) tunnel
2) bridge
3) level crossing
A crosswalk on a major arterial is scary.
Tunnel. Keep the skies to the Mtn tops!
What happened to the post Mr. Bullet made? Did the Flyer staff remove them?
Staff note: Yep. It’s gone.
Tunnel FTW IMHO
I’ll vote for whatever David vouches for!
He doesn’t even live in Fayetteville, dood.
DFforCC– As long as you have an informed opinion rather than a conspiracy theory,, please vote for whatever option you think is best. By the way: I have less interest in public office than public office has in me. I would run /from/ office.
IO– According to the United States Post Office– the same august organization that declared Kris Kringle to be the one and only, real Santa Claus– I live in Fayetteville.
I’m a female in my early 20′s and I live on S. Gregg Ave. I live next to the bike trail and utilize it often. I carry pepper spray after dark because I’ve seen a lot of questionable people/situations. I adore Fayetteville and love people but that side of town is sometimes a whole ‘nother world. I’d be afraid to be inside of an underground tunnel by myself at ANY time of day. Although the bridge may be the most expensive, it may be the safest option.
I agree with Cat also. I have lived on that side of town before and have used that trail at night. It’s scary towards the end when you get close to MLK. I don’t think that a tunnel would be a good idea in that area. It works in other areas of town, but the bridge would be the best option here. Think about the safest option for night commuters. Fayetteville has a lot of people that commute via bicycle to work or to the university. Also, the crosswalk would be pure stupidity here. Crossing North Street even with the new lights is still dangerous for pedestrians. Plus, who really wants to stop when you actually have the option to build a bridge instead?!? Pretty cool design opportunity.
To help insure the safety of a tunnel (or even a bridge) the city should install those little police calling devices the UofA has all over the place (the ones with the blue light on top). Response time with those are amazing, they don’t infringe on your privacy (like a camera), and they are just nice to have.
Have one on either side of the tunnel and one in the middle. Just my thought. Also, I still vote for a tunnel.
Great idea.
A wide tunnel. Hands down. A crosswalk is simply too inconvenient for drivers (think North St. crosswalk). And pedestrian/cycling traffic is definitely going to pick up when those apartments are finished.
I am all for the tunnel, but it’s going to be a traffic nightmare for a week. How is it that a crosswalk would even come close to 1/2 the cost of a tunnel?
Ian – Now that you mention it, it does seem a little high for a crosswalk. However, that option requires a lot more trail construction, a bridge over the stream that crosses under Prairie Street, and a four-way, full traffic signal complete with lights, poles, wiring, etc. Maybe that’s why the estimate is so high.
Tunnel…Yeah, I would use this tunnel all the time (but only while packing heat, or walking with Chuck Norris).
Tunnel.
Trails crossing highways is a recipe for confusion on the part of drivers and cyclists. If the Walton money can save one pedestrian or cyclist life it is already worth the investment. Plus, tunnels make the morning bike commute that much more interesting. The new Garland Ave. tunnel is way cool.
Long hair, don’t care….
tunnel. i like the idea of a bridge, but gaining the land and permanently closing down traffic on gregg seems like a bit much. i live in south fayetteville, and have rarely felt anything but safe using the trails in this area. i am just glad that the trails are expanding.
Tunnel.
A tunnel, as long as it is built well, is a safe option. It is also the most likely option to endure any future ambient changes.
The bridge would also be a safe as compared to a crosswalk but it may inhibit some traffic from using the road. All bridges inject vehicular and load height constraints to roadways.
Cross walks are just confusing because bicycle traffic is treated differently than pedestrian traffic in Arkansas. This is why all of the new lights are required on the North Street crossing. This confusion and ignorance of law is dangerous for pedestrian and non-motorized wheeled traffic alike.
tunnel
Here’s an idea of how an at-grade crosswalk could be done safely and elegantly: http://isrworkinggroup.posterous.com/taming-an-arterial-with-a-small-civic-monumen
robert, that proposal looks excellent. i would love to have that set up in this part of town.
I vote for bridge. They can be works of art, like functional sculpture.
And they are fun to cross :) Upppp and then down, weeeee!
I vote for the bridge and the concept that Robert Sharp has provided looks good to me. A tunnel will not work in that area because people will be afraid to enter a tunnel with the Walker park needs some more clearing out of undergrowth and unsightly people that live in the park. Walker Park needs lights and more park benches. That is my two cents.
Tunnel for sure. Seems to be working well in other areas.
no cars in tunnel. no chance of falling off side of a tunnel.
TUNNEL.