Mayor Coleman, City Council Member Klein, ODOT, MORPC and Consider Biking Open Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge, Bikeways Pavement Markings and Signs
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 21, 2011
For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
Web – Facebook – TwitterMayor Coleman, City Council Member Klein, ODOT, MORPC and Consider Biking Open Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge,Bikeways Pavement Markings and Signs
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council Member Zachary M. Klein, ODOT District 6 Deputy Director Ferzan M. Ahmed, MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr. and Consider Biking today officially opened the Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge and unveiled Hilltop Bikeway Connector pavement markings and signs on the Hilltop. The bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Scioto River and the pavement markings and signs link the Hilltop to the Scioto Trail that runs along the north bank of the Scioto River.
“Bicyclists now have a safer connection between the Hilltop and bikeways across the Scioto River and on to Grandview Avenue,” Mayor Coleman said. “We continue to invest with our partners to make Columbus the best bike city in the nation.”
Bicyclists will also benefit from bikeway pavement markings and signs installed by the Department of Public Service on several Hilltop streets:
- Two-tenths of a mile of bike lanes on both sides of Harper Road between the Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge at Harper Road and McKinley Avenue and the city limits at the railroad tracks immediately east of North Highland Avenue
- Four Bike Lane signs on Harper Road
- Four Share The Road signs and 12 sharrow pavement markings on North Eureka Avenue between Steele Avenue and the city limits immediately south of Valleyview Avenue
- A combined 47 Ohio To Erie Trail signs on North Eureka Avenue, Harper Road, Steele Avenue and North Westgate Avenue
In addition, the Franklin County Engineer’s Office has installed two Bike Route signs at the intersection of North Eureka and Valleyview avenues.
“Columbus leaders are committed to working with our regional partners to ensure a high level of continuity for the biking community,” said Zach M. Klein, chair of the Recreation and Parks Committee. “Our investments will lead to a healthier Columbus and Central Ohio.”
The Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge is the result of a partnership between the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
"ODOT is glad to be a partner and work with local communities," said Ferzan M. Ahmed, ODOT District 6 Deputy Director. "ODOT's goal is to deliver projects that create transportation opportunities for all Ohioans."
“Recreational amenities such as the Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge, our great system of bike paths, extensive system of parks, number one Zoo, COSI, and many others continue to position the Columbus region as a place businesses would like to relocate to and a place young professionals and seniors want to live, work, and play,” said Chester R. Jourdan, Jr. MORPC Executive Director. “Partnerships like those between MORPC, our local communities and ODOT help to create a region that can compete in the global marketplace for jobs, people and resources.”
The Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge provides a link for bicyclists and pedestrians between the Hilltop and the Scioto Trail shared-use path that currently runs east from Grandview Avenue at I-670 and loops around to the west to the Rivers Edge Corporate Center at 1335 Dublin Road.
“This Hilltop Connector project is a critical because it will open up several long-needed transportation corridors for bicyclists,” said Consider Biking Executive Director Jeff Stephens. “Our exploding population of utilitarian cyclists will find this project allows bicycle transportation between the Westside, Downtown, OSU, Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington. This is the single piece of infrastructure that will tie the network together.”
The Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge and Hilltop Connector pavement markings and signs are the central pieces of the nearly complete Columbus section of the 325-mile Ohio to Erie Trail, which provides bicyclists a safer route between the Ohio River in Cincinnati through Columbus and Lake Erie in Cleveland. Two sections of multi-use path will add connections in the Columbus leg of the Ohio To Erie Trail and Scioto Trail are scheduled to be completed during the next two years:
- Beginning this year, the Recreation and Parks Department will construct a section of the Scioto Trail connecting Rivers Edge Corporate Center and West 5th Avenue, with completion scheduled in 2012. The Department of Public Service is assisting in the design of the project
- In 2012, ODOT is scheduled to begin construction a section of the Scioto Trail and Ohio To Erie Trail between 910 Dublin Road and the I-670 westbound exit ramp to Grandview Avenue. Construction of this section is scheduled for completion in 2013.
Hilltop Bicycle Connector Bridge, Pavement Markings and Signs Fact Sheet
- Scioto Hilltop Connector Bridge
- Bridge is one-quarter of a mile in length
- Connects the Hilltop to the Scioto Trail shared-use path on the north side of the Scioto River
- Current Scioto Trail bike path runs east from Grandview Avenue near I-670 and loops around to the south, then west, running along the north bank of the Scioto River to Rivers Edge Corporate Center at 1335 Dublin Road
- Plans to build the final links of the Columbus portion of the Scioto Trail:
- Beginning this year, the Recreation and Parks Department is scheduled to start construction on a section of trail connecting Rivers Edge Corporate Center and West 5th Avenue. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2012
- In 2012, ODOT is scheduled to begin construction on a section of trail linking 910 Dublin Road and I-670 westbound exit ramp to Grandview Avenue. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
- Bridge is a vital link in completing the Columbus portion of the Ohio To Erie Trail
- The 325-mile long Ohio To Erie Trail, after the additional links in Columbus are completed in 2013, will give bicyclists a safer route between the Ohio River in Cincinnati through Columbus to Lake Erie in Cleveland
- Hilltop Connector Bicycle Pavement Markings and Signs
- New signs and pavement markings covering eight-tenths of a mile (one-half mile in Columbus and three-tenths of a mile in Franklin County)
- On Harper Road between McKinley Avenue and City limits at the railroad tracks immediately east of North Highland Avenue:
- Two-tenths of a mile of bike lanes with bike lane symbols on both sides of Harper Road
- Four Bike Lane signs
- Six Ohio To Erie Trail signs
- On North Eureka Avenue between Steele Avenue and the railroad tracks immediately south of Valleyview Drive
- 12 sharrow pavement markings
- 11 Ohio To Erie Trail signs
- Four Share The Road signs
- This portion of North Eureka Avenue was also resurfaced
- On Steele Avenue between North Eureka Avenue and North Westgate Avenue, and on North Westgate Avenue between Steele Avenue and West Broad Street
- 30 Ohio To Erie Trail signs added to the top of Bike Boulevard signs installed in 2010
- At the intersection of North Eureka Avenue and Valleyview Avenue (this intersection is in Franklin County, not the city of Columbus)
- Two Bike Route signs installed by Franklin County Engineer’s Office
- Remaining three-tenths of a mile of the Hilltop Connector: North Eureka Avenue between Steele Avenue and West Broad Street
- The Hilltop Connector links to bike lanes on West Broad Street and a bike boulevard on North Wheatland, Steele and North Westgate avenues
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