Seeking a Better ‘Burlooski’ Connection
Posted by Chapin on Jun 09 2009
For decades, bike/pedestrian advocates have sought a safe, convenient connection between Burlington and Winooski. Without a good Winooski River crossing, dozens of residents cross the train bridge each day. Help Local Motion push for a better connection. Write a letter to the editor (letters@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com) or contact Winooski Mayor Mike O’Brien or Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss.
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3 Responses to “Seeking a Better ‘Burlooski’ Connection”
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on 10 Jun 2009 at 1:59 pm 1.Steve Norman said …
I'd like to see the railroad right-of-way, including both the bridge and the tunnel to the waterfront, adapted to be more pedestrian and bike friendly. I've used both of them for years for running, but without much expense they could be improved. A narrow, cinder path either side of the tracks would be great!
While we're working in the Intervale, can we get the beltline's "Bridge to Nowhere" moved a mile south, to access the ponds on the west side of the highway, before it's too old to be lifted? A trail around the ponds to the Sea Caves, and access through the tunnel to the waterfront, would make the landfill a great venue for the disk golf course!
on 13 Jul 2009 at 5:36 pm 2.Larry Keyes said …
Sent to the Free Press on 7/13/2009
I commute by bicycle between Colchester Mallett's Bay and Burlington, and I often will take Mallet's Bay Avenue to Winooski, to get to my office in Farrell Hall on the Trinity Campus of UVM. I can't help thinking that the Winooski / Burlington bottleneck at the roundabout and bridge is a disaster waiting to happen for pedestrians and cyclists. For bikers particularly, the ambiguously marked traffic lanes, high sidewalk curbs on the bridge, massive potholes, and broken pavement create a riding environment that is not just decrepit and unattractive, but dangerous. I understand that Local Motion, our local bike/ped advocacy group has suggested improvements adjacent to the barely used rail right-of-way through the intervale by using the rail bridge as a possible route across the Winooski river.
An improved bike/ped Winooski river crossing has been needed for decades. The revitalization of Winooski is highly dependent on students from Champlain, UVM and St. Mike's who need a safe way of going back and forth from the two cities. After all of the recent massive development in Winooski, it would be a shame if a modest step toward a livable urban environment is left for another two decades. At the very least, the potholes need to get fixed.
on 13 Jul 2009 at 5:39 pm 3.Larry Keyes said …
1. To Steve's point about the bridge to nowhere in the Intervale, regarding the EAP bridge (next one up), the access on the Ethan Allen Park side is pretty hairy….and could use some improvements to reduce the grade, sightlines, and sharp curves to make it more city-bike friendly.
2. And how about a tunnel under Route 7 to connect the Burlington Bike Path with the South Burlington Bike Path?