Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
There will be several miles of light rail running in the same corridor as freight rail in the very near future, I'm certain they could design a delivery spot somewhere along that. The Southwest tracks will certainly be operational before the 31st Ave S bridge becomes unworkable.
Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
Response to my message urging MnDOT to leverage bridge repair subsidy to bring railroad to negotiating table for Greenway extension received from MnDOT commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. I reverted with a detailed list of reasons why this response is an utter cop-out.
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Thank you for contacting me recently to express your strong support for extending the Midtown Greenway over the Mississippi River and your concerns regarding the use of public funds to repair the rail bridge over 31st Avenue South, approximately three quarters of a mile to the west of the river along the Midtown Greenway.
As both the state Commissioner of Transportation and a recreational cyclist, I understand the importance of providing access to transportation options that can benefit individual and environmental health and wellness. Please be assured that MnDOT values and prioritizes this access.
Connecting the Midtown Greenway and St. Paul is an important goal, and MnDOT stands ready to support city and county leaders in efforts to realize this connection. I committed to local officials this spring that MnDOT would support their efforts by encouraging renewed conversations on this topic between Canadian Pacific and elected leaders in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County and Ramsey County. I have begun outreach activities consistent with this commitment and will continue to support locally-led efforts to evaluate options for the development of a bicycle connection across the river.
Minnesota Commercial Railroad applied for financial assistance to make repairs to corroding bridge supports and the deck of the 31st Avenue bridge. Their application was reviewed by an expert panel comprised of both rail and economic development professionals. The panel determined the project provides strong safety, economic and environmental benefits. As Commissioner, I do not personally serve on selection panels. It would be a significant deviation from standard agency practice to disregard the expertise of a panel such at this.
Repairing the bridge is critical to ensuring continued safety for trains, rail staff, people who walk and bike on the bridge, individuals who travel below the bridge, and the state’s environmental and economic health. If rail service in this corridor was discontinued, there would be an upsurge in trucking, causing an increase in costs, traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses that rely on Minnesota Commercial trains create over 500 jobs. Stopping rail service would likely result in job loss and economic hardship for both businesses and individuals.
Considering the safety, economic and environmental benefits of the 31st Avenue bridge project and the negative impacts of reduced rail service, MnDOT would be remiss in its obligations if it denied funding to this project. In fact, failure to provide funding to a project that successfully and clearly meets all identified criteria would expose MnDOT and state taxpayers to potentially costly and time-consuming litigation.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Commissioner
***
Thank you for contacting me recently to express your strong support for extending the Midtown Greenway over the Mississippi River and your concerns regarding the use of public funds to repair the rail bridge over 31st Avenue South, approximately three quarters of a mile to the west of the river along the Midtown Greenway.
As both the state Commissioner of Transportation and a recreational cyclist, I understand the importance of providing access to transportation options that can benefit individual and environmental health and wellness. Please be assured that MnDOT values and prioritizes this access.
Connecting the Midtown Greenway and St. Paul is an important goal, and MnDOT stands ready to support city and county leaders in efforts to realize this connection. I committed to local officials this spring that MnDOT would support their efforts by encouraging renewed conversations on this topic between Canadian Pacific and elected leaders in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County and Ramsey County. I have begun outreach activities consistent with this commitment and will continue to support locally-led efforts to evaluate options for the development of a bicycle connection across the river.
Minnesota Commercial Railroad applied for financial assistance to make repairs to corroding bridge supports and the deck of the 31st Avenue bridge. Their application was reviewed by an expert panel comprised of both rail and economic development professionals. The panel determined the project provides strong safety, economic and environmental benefits. As Commissioner, I do not personally serve on selection panels. It would be a significant deviation from standard agency practice to disregard the expertise of a panel such at this.
Repairing the bridge is critical to ensuring continued safety for trains, rail staff, people who walk and bike on the bridge, individuals who travel below the bridge, and the state’s environmental and economic health. If rail service in this corridor was discontinued, there would be an upsurge in trucking, causing an increase in costs, traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses that rely on Minnesota Commercial trains create over 500 jobs. Stopping rail service would likely result in job loss and economic hardship for both businesses and individuals.
Considering the safety, economic and environmental benefits of the 31st Avenue bridge project and the negative impacts of reduced rail service, MnDOT would be remiss in its obligations if it denied funding to this project. In fact, failure to provide funding to a project that successfully and clearly meets all identified criteria would expose MnDOT and state taxpayers to potentially costly and time-consuming litigation.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Commissioner
Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
Extend the Greenway Rally and Impact Report Release at Lake Monster Brewing on August 21st.
https://facebook.com/events/s/extend-th ... 356884776/
https://facebook.com/events/s/extend-th ... 356884776/
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Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
I've been reading complaints about a recent repaving of the trail that's been described as a very poor job. I haven't used the trail myself in awhile so I don't know how good or bad the new pavement actually is.
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Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
Although it was a pretty crappy job, it's an improvement imo. The big cracks haven't just been filled, but paved over, which if you're running tires over 100psi is really nice. There are spots where the new surface is slightly uneven and parts of the trail are rougher than others. Also, some idiot rode on the freshly laid asphalt on a portion east of Lyndale and left some pretty significant tire tracks on the surface.
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Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
Here are the conditions: https://twitter.com/mplsalex/status/1448342895103205380
A 'slurry chip' application is really the wrong surface for a trail. It's also only 1/3 done- the other portions are scheduled for 2022.
A 'slurry chip' application is really the wrong surface for a trail. It's also only 1/3 done- the other portions are scheduled for 2022.
Q. What, what? A. In da butt.
Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
It's not even a good surface for a driveway.
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Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
https://www.startribune.com/hennepin-co ... 600131353/
Community gardeners oppose paving an ADA/bike-accessible ramp through the Soo Line Garden located between Garfield and Harriet Aves. As a former resident of the apartments at 2800 Grand, I used to ride or walk my bike through the garden all the time (dirty looks from gardeners if riding through). It was my main access point.
It is 100% a slam dunk win for greenway accessibility to get a paved trail through this site. The garden can co-exist with the trail access or relocate somewhere else nearby. An unused corner of the grounds at Whittier Elementary would be my first suggestion. Remove the t-ball diamond and replace with a proper soccer field and garden plots wherever there's space leftover.
Community gardeners oppose paving an ADA/bike-accessible ramp through the Soo Line Garden located between Garfield and Harriet Aves. As a former resident of the apartments at 2800 Grand, I used to ride or walk my bike through the garden all the time (dirty looks from gardeners if riding through). It was my main access point.
It is 100% a slam dunk win for greenway accessibility to get a paved trail through this site. The garden can co-exist with the trail access or relocate somewhere else nearby. An unused corner of the grounds at Whittier Elementary would be my first suggestion. Remove the t-ball diamond and replace with a proper soccer field and garden plots wherever there's space leftover.
Re: Midtown Greenway Trail [not the transit thread]
I see absolutely no reason why these things can't coexist, and it will be frustrating if a few garden users are able to derail this plan.
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