Tuesday, November 8, 2011

DOT Hearing on the Hoan Bridge

On Monday, November 14 from 5 to 7 p.m., the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) will be holding a public hearing to discuss the different construction plans and cost estimates that resulted from the DOT's DRAFT feasibility study, which examined adding a bike/ped path to the Hoan Bridge. The hearing will take place in the DOT downtown office building located at 1001 West St. Paul Avenue in Milwaukee.

It is important that cyclists turn out to this hearing, as DOT is looking to hear directly from Milwaukee County citizens before choosing a final project proposal. We need to make sure that DOT and the Governor know that there remains a strong interest in the community for a bike/ped path on the Hoan.  Although GSB does not itself lobby, there is nothing wrong with individual members voicing their support for a bike path on the Hoan. We urge you to to attend this meeting to voice any support you may have in your heart for the bike lane and ask questions of DOT staff members.  Given the conclusions stated in DOT's draft report, getting a bike/ped path on the Hoan, as part of the bridge reconstruction, is going to be an uphill fight.  If this path does not get built now, it will be decades before cyclists and pedestrians get a chance to get a safe and beautiful path on the Hoan. We hope to see you there. 

However, if you cannot attend the hearing, and you have questions or comments, you can pass along your comments to Carolynn Gellings from DOT, at:

Carolynn Gellings, P.E. Project Manager
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
Southeast Region
141 NW Barstow Street
P.O. Box 798
Waukesha, WI 53187-0798
(262) 548-8716
carolynn.gellings@dot.wi.gov