AlfaElan

Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.

I'd use either of the paths if there was a safe way to get past US-23 from the East. As it is the only way is to go south to Packard or worse North to Huron River drive or the river.

wait.think

Mon, Apr 25, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.

Both ends of Washtenaw Ave run through residential neighborhoods, and vehicle drivers act like each of these sections is just an extension of the expressways. Washtenaw Ave from the UofM campus to US-23, and Huron/Cross Street/Washtenaw near the EMU campus are currently incredibly dangerous for pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents. Improvements in both of these areas are in progress, and have been in planning stages for years. The current buzz word is "traffic-calming measures," and I hope these improvements meet the goal! The new path will provide a safer place for foot and bicycle traffic and keep it away from vehicle traffic. Those of you who are complaining of the money being spent - stop thinking that the money that is being used for each of these projects can be used for anything else. Funding is procured for specific projects, and "if you don't use it, you lose it." The money is NOT sitting in one big pot and ladeled out when asked for. You can't use specified "bike path" dollars for the Stadium Bridge improvement. If there was one road improvement I would love to see all around the Ann Arbor area, it would be to re-work each of the expressway ramps so that entering traffic that needs to immediately be going close to 70 mph doesn't share the space with exiting traffic that needs to immmediately slow down to 25 mph... all in the same short distance. Who thought of THAT brilliant plan? It wasn't the best plan 40-50 years ago, when people were alot more polite, and it really doesn't work with today's 'I-need-to-be-first-and-get-there-faster-than-you' drivers! Any funding available for that project? Even if there is... it still won't fix that darn Stadium Bridge.

AA

Sun, Apr 24, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.

Yeah, I saw 5 men watch 1 man operate a piece of machinery all day last week.

mw

Sun, Apr 24, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.

It's a really dumb waste of money. I already ride out to Arborland once in a while without a dedicated bike path -- I just ride along the nice, quiet safe neighborhood streets in Ann Arbor Hills. I wouldn't use the bike path if it existed because riding through the neighborhoods is going to remain a nicer, quieter ride than a path alongside a busy, high-speed 4-lane road with vehicle exhaust to inhale.

AA

Sun, Apr 24, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.

What a waste of money.

a2baggagehandler

Sun, Apr 24, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.

Do they really need a stake every 20' to build a bike path along a roadway? Glad I'm not being assessed to pay for this. I suspect that most commuter cyclists will continue to ride on the roadway anyway.

David Frye

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.

Totally agree with Ruth Kraut: the new path will be a nice addition, but what we really need is a way -- any way -- to get across US23 on Washtenaw. For now, there are only three options that I know of: 1) divine intervention; 2) cross fingers and hope for the best; 3) bike or walk one mile south to Packard, where there are rather dank but perfectly useable pathways under US23 on both sides of the street.

P. J. Murphy

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.

Bikers and pedestrians on the south and east side of town will welcome this additional way to get to the commercial areas along Washtenaw Ave. It's only about 30 years overdue. The path along the south side of the street doesn't really serve them well. Typically traffic along this stretch of road buzzes along at close to 50 mph. I wonder how many of those loudly complaining have tried to cross this 5 lane road at rush hour, or at night. If you haven't, do try it, you'll find it quite educational. Busy commercial streets need to have pedestrian and bike access on both sides. It's more than just convenience, it's also a matter of safety.

Mike

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.

Your tax dollars at work folks; call the Chinese we need more money. On top of that we can't use the path most of the year due to inclement weather. We're also adding miles of impervious surface. Where is the retention ponds that are required if you want to add onto your personal residence or business? What about the disruption to the environment to create these impervious surfaces? Nesting birds have to move, worms are killed, many species will be displaced What about the increase in our carbon footprint as a society using energy to create the aggregate and fossil fuels to create the pavement? What about the air pollution emmitted by the construction equipment and the additional fuel burned by cars idling in a traffic jamb creating even more pollution? The people who want our money to build this stuff look the other way when it's something they want.

rsa221

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.

I'm excited! I do not always have access to a car, and when this is finished, I'll be more likely to walk down there and patronize those businesses. I pay city taxes, too, and I really appreciate when some of that goes to projects like this. I know MI is a car culture, but diversifying like this means our area is closer to offering "something for everyone." I also love additional walking opportunities, since the benefits of walking for adults and our children are outstanding, health and mental-wellness wise . :)

LiberalNIMBY

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.

I'm proud that the city is doing this. Don't listen to the car-bound, township-living commenters. City residents need more ways of getting around than just the freaking car. $5/gallon gas is going to look like a pittance in another couple of years. Where is your foresight, people? I know this is a state road so the lane had to be on the shoulder, but I hope when we get more (real) bike lanes on other major roads they'll take away a car travel lane. Washtenaw's probably the only road in the city that actually needs 2 lanes in each direction.

Ruth Kraut

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.

I plan on using this path. It will make biking on Washtenaw safer. And next, I hope they will extend a bike lane under US 23 where people currently walk or bike without a lane. That would really be awesome.

foobar417

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.

It's fairly ironic that 58% of voters indicate they will use this bike lane, as of the time of this posting but almost all the commenters are appalled that anyone would consider building it. FWIW, I will use the non-motorized path quite often and it will make biking in that area of town much easier. For those who think that just because there's a non-motorized path on the other side of Washtenaw, this is unnecessary, it's obvious you don't bike this stretch very often. There are neighborhoods on both sides of the road and very few crosswalks or traffic lights through this stretch. For those who think this is "sudden", you clearly don't pay much attention. The city's been talking about it and planning for it since 2006, IIRC. Plenty of opportunity to exercise your democratic rights. Perhaps the issue is you realize your opinion is a minority opinion so it's easier to gripe in an online forum than actually consider the varying needs of the citizenry?

Arieswoman

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.

So you take the path to Arborland. What do you find there? A bunch of empty stores that's what! Ridiculous at best. What a waste of money!

Mike Fried

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.

The current bike path along the North side of Washtenaw is unsafe because of the way cars exit from commercial parking lots. Because of the heavy traffic volume, the worst are the exits along the Huron Village Shopping Center (Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, and Walgreens). The blacktop bike path is unmarked and indistinguishable where it is crossed by the parking lot exits. The stop signs onto Washtenaw are beyond the bike path. Further, there is vegetation blocking a driver's view of pedestrians or bikers. Drivers naturally zip right across the bike path because there is no indication that a path even exists. Exits along the entire path need to be made safer through proper marking and signage. I hope this new project will result in improved safety before there is a tragic accident.

Goofus

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.

Also, gotta love a2dotcom's "scoop" on this construction project...which has been going on for nearly two weeks already.

Goofus

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.

Mayor Hieftje should take his famous "Tree" logo off his yard signs and replace it with a bikepath and a stump in the next election cycle.

George Gaston

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.

Will this new pathway (sidewalk?) be kept clear of snow and ice in the winter and, if so, by who?

racerx

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.

Who is really requesting access from campus to Arborland? What, UM students are really going to Michael's Craft store on a bike? Can these same students really afford Hillers? Oh, and let's not forget Chilli's, gotta have those baby-back ribs! And the Starbucks throughout downtown are less convienent? Still, Payless and DSW will satisfy any sorority girls need for new pumps during pledge week. That sorority girl will have to hike her skirt up on her bike when she tries those pumps on. Former city planner Wendy Ransom always had this idea of a bike path along Washtenaw. Luckily, we're save by not (yet) have this road dwindle down to two lanes, of which I'm sure the city will seek next, ala, Platt, South Main, and other areas of the city where the presumption is that it's more efficient for traffic flow, though it takes more time for cars to travel and waste gas while these same vehicles are idling by in traffic. I'm sorry, until we become mainland China the car is going to rule. So. Who's going to maintain this path during the winter months? Will those same few bicylists think they'll be able to ride in the street on Washtenaw? As others have said, the road needs widening.

outdoor6709

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.

There is no money to replace the Stadium St bridge, but there is money for this waste. Who are we kidding. If AA news was a real investigative newspaper, it would do us a service and follow the money. Tell us the relationship of politicians and contractors for this wastefull spending.

daytona084

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.

Federal Funds??? Oh yeah, let's grab as much federal funds as we can! It's like free money! And the federal government has so much money! It's not like they are "in debt" or anything, are they?

Mary

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.

It's true there's a path on the south side of Washtenaw, but there are very few places to cross over safely between Stadium and Huron Parkway, so it's not always easy to get to the existing path, even for bikers, much less for walkers, for whom an extra 1/4 mile is not a small thing. I occasionally see people biking on Washtenaw and that's truly dangerous; this new path will be a welcome alternative.

Kent2525

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.

What a Joke, their talking about cutting more police and fire. 1.5M could hire and keep at least 9 more police on the job. And they try to tell us their out of money, nothing for schools, nothing for police and fire. Something stinks in the University of Moscow . Stop your spending on everything, this country is in big trouble, no more fluffy projects. 1.5 million a mile for a path, good god what a waste.

BradA

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.

The path ends at Tuomy, about 1 mile from the edge of campus and 2 miles from downtown. Seems like a "path to nowhere" if you ask me.

drewk

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.

Yet just another waste by of dollars by the infamous Hieftje and his kronies

deb

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.

Waste of money.

Sally

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.

How is it that downtown Ann Arbor is called University of Michigan campus? Perhaps the reporter is a student? There's more to A2 than U of M. And it appears that U of M is not even paying part of the cost of this new path.

Mark V

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.

This will be a great addition to the city roads. That part of Washtenaw becomes very dangerous for bikers traveling downtown and has been a reason for not using a bike instead of a car. I think the city should allow motor cycles, or at least 50cc mopeds to use that lane as well. The designated bike lane should extend all the way from the Arborland mall area to downtown.

debling

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.

All efforts to put in bike pathways in the city of Ann Arbor and surrounding areas are highly appreciated and needed. I would encourage the city to ensure that these non motorized lanes are protected by rail, rumble strip, curb, grass/trees or other physical barrier from the rest of the traffic. Motorized drivers cannot be trusted to drive safely.

Halter

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.

I have a choice comment for this "path" but it's not worth commenting since this is being reported after the fact and not one single comment or logical point made here will make a single iota of difference.

A2lover

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.

A path is not what's need along that portion of Washtenaw , the road need widening. It's extremely dangerous because the lanes there appear to be narrower than normal, cars in the left lane frequently move right for fear of hitting oncoming traffic, causing cars in the right lane incredible anguish and the dread of being hit. As has been pointed out, there is already a path on the south side. And, if they want more access to Arbor Land restore the bus stop INSIDE the shopping center, thus providing safer and instant access to the stores there.

Silly Sally

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 11:31 a.m.

Didn't the silly city already cut down many, many trees on the south side of this very same street for a bike path about 10 years ago? It exists now. Why can't bicyclists cross the street and use that path? If I desired to go from UM's central campus or North campus to Arborland, I would use the fine bike path that goes to Gallup Park and then the one that goes along Huron Parkway. Both avoid sharing a street with cars. I sure would bnot want to go along Washtenaw from near Hill, there is no wide shoulder for a bike to be on.

Brad

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 11:26 a.m.

Actually there is a very nice path on the south side of Washtenaw between Bedford and Glenwood. So why are they duplicating it on the other side of the road? And really, just how much demand is there for something connecting campus and Arborland? Or more accurately, connecting about 15% of the distance between campus and Arborland? Could that $1.5mil have found better use elsewhere?

SonnyDog09

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 10:43 a.m.

"construction will periodically disrupt bus stops along Washtenaw. " Never-mind that it will also close a lane and disrupt traffic. That's ok. But, don't mess with bus stops.

SMAIVE

Sat, Apr 23, 2011 : 10:29 a.m.

So clear cutting the mature trees and putting in even more impervious surface is green how?