Walkers might get new lane
Bikers also will benefit if funding comes through
By Diane Knich
The Post and Courier
Previous story
Walking, biking path proposed over Ashley, published 04/09/08
The Ashley River Bridge could become more navigable for bicyclists and pedestrians if a proposed project to build an additional lane gets an infusion of cash from both Charleston County and the federal economic stimulus package.
Charleston County Council will decide Tuesday whether to fast-track the design of the additional lane on the T. Allen Legare Jr. Bridge, which spans the river between West Ashley and downtown Charleston. City officials have asked the county to cover the $800,000 cost of designing the additional lane with money from the half-cent sales tax.
With the design complete, the project will be "shovel-ready," city officials have said. And that will make it more likely that the construction phase will be eligible for money from the stimulus plan. The county previously had planned to incrementally pay for the project's design.
County Council's Finance Committee on Thursday was divided on whether to move the money to the project, with four members in favor, and four opposed. The money would be diverted from other construction projects that have come in, or are projected to come in, under budget. Councilman Elliott Summey did not attend the meeting but said Friday that he plans to vote in favor of the project when it comes before the full council. If Summey joins council members Paul Thurmond, Teddie
Pryor, Colleen Condon and Curtis Inabinett in support of financing the design of the project, it can move forward. "To me, it's a viable project," Summey said. "We've got the money and don't have to dip back into the taxpayers' pockets."
Pryor, council chairman, said the project will give West Ashley residents a nearby place to get out and walk.
Charleston County Councilman Elliott Summey
Both bridges spanning the Ashley River between West Ashley and downtown Charleston now have narrow sidewalks that make it difficult to safely cross them on foot or on bicycles. The proposed project would link the West Ashley Greenway to Lockwood Boulevard via a cantilevered structure on the harbor side of the peninsula-bound Legare bridge.
The link, which would be 10 feet wide, also would include a paved extension of the greenway along Albemarle Road, under the Herbert Fielding overpass, to a boardwalk across the marsh. The lighted, wooden boardwalk would link to a bike-pedestrian path along U.S. Highway 17 to a steel structure on the south side of the Legare bridge and to a paved extension to Lockwood.
Councilman Dickie Schweers, one of the members opposed to shifting money to pay for the project design, said the bicycle and pedestrian lane "just doesn't rise to the top of the heap based on our priorities."
The county has many construction projects waiting for money to get under way, he said. "I think all of our projects could be stimulus projects."
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has said the lane is one of three infrastructure projects the city hopes to pursue with federal stimulus money.
Retrofitting the Legare bridge would provide a much-needed connection between West Ashley and the downtown area for people traveling on foot or by bicycle, he has said. He suggested the path would be particularly useful for people traveling for work and studies at the Medical University of South Carolina. Riley has estimated it will cost $4.4 million to build the lane and says the city is committed to getting it done.
"It's a basic right," Riley said during an April event. "People should have the ability on the their bikes and on their feet to negotiate and enjoy the community in which they live."
Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com. Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
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BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
You guys are smoking something.
February 14, 2009 at 5:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
It might be the smart move in these days and times to distinguish between what we need and what we want or between the practical and the recreational before you decide to spend this money. Show me the need based on a practical survey or study. A simple outcry from a small vocal minority is not justification to spend the extra money. Pretend that this is your money and that you do not have unlimited funds.
February 14, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"It's a basic right," Riley said during an April event. "People should have the ability on the their bikes and on their feet to negotiate and enjoy the community in which they live."
A basic right???????????????????????????????????????
February 14, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
Well ... as a cyclist, I'm "sort of" in favor of the project ... sort of.
Frankly, like the others, I'm appalled at the price tag. I just don't see why it should cost $800,000 to design this thing and another $3.5 million to build it. Did you hire Bernie Madoff to design and build it?
It sounds more like you're laying out six foot tall men head to toe across the river then performing heart surgery on each one of them ... and being charged the surgeon's fees. I guess we're supposed to be grateful that we don't have to pay the hospital costs, too.
You know ...
At least THESE bridges do have a narrow path for pedestrians and cyclists to bravely use. Pedestrians and cyclists are banned from using the North Bridge connecting Cosgrove and Sam Rittenberg. That's where the most basic problem is.
So ...
If I want to get out of Charleston heading north either walking or cycling, I have to go all the way downtown ... or go up Highway 61 (There's a killer.) ... or meander though West Ashley side streets to Red Top, then cut through the country nearly to Parker's Ferry to connect to Alt. 17.
I'm beginning to understand more and more why cyclists who travel the east coast try to get through South Carolina as quickly as possible ... and give Charleston an extremely wide berth.
February 14, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
For "tc1",
I hate to admit it, but I actually agree with Reilly on this one.
People shouldn't be denied access simply because they choose to walk or cycle, or more basically, because they may not be able to afford the luxury of an automobile, cab or bus fare.
And that's pretty basic, the freedom to go where we choose how we choose ... as long as it doesn't threaten others. I think that's one of the more inherent tenets of our republic that we forget when we crank up the automobile.
The pity is that it wasn't considered when these bridges were first built ... nor was it considered when Daniel Island was developed.
You know ...
We pay policemen, firefighters and EMT's a lot of money ... and hope we never need them. I think it's kind of like insurance. Just look at these bikeways and walkways as insurance. Someday, YOU may actually need them.
February 14, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
What about the JI Connector? Does it allow bikes/pedestrians? If so, then there is your plan.
Mail me my $800K "design" check, please.
My guess is the connector does NOT allow access otherwise folks could just go a few hundred yards in another direction and still get back and forth.
rebsc....have you biked over these bridges? If so, are they really all that difficult to navigate? The Ashley River bridges are busy but they are not very long.
!!! Maybe we should start taxing cyclists and requiring they have license plates on public roads !!!! That could generate some revenue for these projects.....kidding...
February 14, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
A grand idea, especially considering the likelyhood of gas rising again. How much is safety worth?
February 14, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
I have cycled them ... and,frankly, I get off the bicycle and walk, Wappoo Bridge included. The walkways are so narrow, there's literally no margin for error. And, I'm honestly not sure that, technically, it's not illegal for a cyclist to try to ride on them since they're primarily designed for pedestrians like a sidewalk.
I've never ridden the James Island Connector, but I have seen joggers and cyclists on it in the past. I frankly don't know if there are any current restrictions on it.
I guess what gets me is that simply doubling the width of the current walkways on the current bridges would probably increase their safety ten fold. It certainly wouldn't require 10 feet ... six at the most combining both outer sides ... and that would allow safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians meeting head on on either side.
I don't see why the current structures couldn't support the additional weight if it were done properly, considering how much sustained weight the bridges are already designed to support with the bridges open.
My suspicion is that this plan has more to do with someone's "grand scheme of things" than practical necessity.
February 14, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GG (anonymous) says...
rebssc wrote "We pay policemen, firefighters and EMT's a lot of money ..."
Are you serious??? These folks risk their lives EVERYDAY for CRAP PAY. You need to do your research before making such statements.
February 14, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yankeeinsc (anonymous) says...
I find this simply appalling. We are in the worst economic down turn since the great depression and we are talking about widening walk ways.
This Monday Charleston County employees are being forced to take a unpaid day in order to balance the budget.
People who are paid very poorly; like EMS, Fire and Police have to receive a short pay check, while their elected county councilman says there is enough money for a walk way. It seems that county council doesn't have their priorities straight.
February 14, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
"GG"
I said "a lot". You're right about that ... and so am I. You're assuming that I implied "enough" or "too much" ... your mistake.
February 14, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
straightshooter (anonymous) says...
Summey says this is a good idea because we don't have to dip into the tax payers pockets. Where does he think the money is coming from? It is the tax payers who pay that half-cent sales tax and it will ultimately be the tax payers who, will not only have to pay for the money from the stimulus bill, but pay with interest. This is not free money the county has to blow. Hopefully the county will put more thought in to how to spend tax payers money than the Congress has.
February 14, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
I agree with you, "yankeeinsc" ...
It's appalling. Absolutely.
But, let's put it in perspective.
$150 million is spent on the inauguration. A million people go there, stand on the mall all day ... and kill the grass. Now ... they want to spend $200 million to re-sod the National Mall; ergo, a $350 million inauguration. Impressive.
Nancy Pelosi wanted $30 million for some San Francisco "rat- mouse". I think that was unadulterated nepotism.
These bozos are setting the priorities. At least Charleston is trying to get some money for "people" and not rats. I do give credit where credit is due.
Get Moses Obama to come down here and part the waters of the Ashley River and I'll be happy to ride my all terrain bicycle across.
February 14, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amembersid (anonymous) says...
When I was young and invincible I would ride my bike over various bridges. Today, I would rather take direct artillery fire then these drivers. Yesterday a driver (secondary action) was talking on the phone and smoking a cigarette (primary action) at 80 mph on Charleston International Raceway (I-26). I have bike stories, and I am here today because I wasn't on a bridge.
February 14, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wow (anonymous) says...
We definitely need a good lane for cyclists and pedestrians. A good lane (not a small one simply to pacify the public) with plenty of room. I'd rather ride my bike than drive my car any day.
And, I'll design it for a mere $750,000. Is there any accountability in our expenditures?
February 14, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Reader (anonymous) says...
I think having the lane would be nice, but it is probably not even in the top 10 biggest needs right now. Regardless, the design fee is insane! Even if we assume that a good engineer might earn $80,000 a year, that would mean that this project would occupy his entire job for a decade just to plan one lane. Something seems pretty off.
February 14, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestt (anonymous) says...
It will cost much more than that.
February 14, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
"Reader",
You're on the right track but I think you're a little off.
The five senior engineering partners are going to throw this crumb to the most junior engineer who is salaried at $80,000 a year for starts.
Then, they're going to tell him to whip it out in 6 months at a cost of $40,000 and give him a $10,000 bonus for being a good boy.
Then, they're each going to take their $150,000 check for certifying his work and have a nice vacation in Aruba.
... less expenses ... if it isn't cost plus.
Those billing hours will magically appear somehow.
February 14, 2009 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
green123 (anonymous) says...
so here's my solution to the problem and it is free. CARTA has a free ride thing from azela road in north charleston to poston street in west ashley so people don't have to ride a bike, or walk the north bridge, can't that same aspect be used here too. The many buses that travel to and from downtown i think could could make arrangements with the city.
February 14, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nighttrain (anonymous) says...
Any government project such as this should be scrutinized. By definition, the Spending Package has been instituted to provide work for enginneers and construction workers. An alternate transportation path across a bridge is worthy if it provides a means for those without an auto to commute to work or to access necessary resources. Many accomplished macro-economists believe the global economy is over leveraged and a massive international downturn unavoidable. That said, driving a car to work could not be an option for many while cycling or walking is the only means of transportation to a job which compensates at a lower level than accustomed. I hope I am wrong but at least the healthcare costs, which will soon be taxpayer subsidized, will drop in a big way.
February 14, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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