Laserfiche WebLink
t Page 3 <br /> Multiuse Trails <br /> Bill Frank explained why many of the existing off-road trails are <br /> suitable for multiple use. In many cases the paths were designed to give <br /> a maximum "nature experience" by meandering through woods, up and down hills. <br /> The poor visibility and hilly terrain really limit usage to walkers and <br /> joggers. Biking and skating on these becomes quite hazardous. Many of our <br /> urban paths have become so popular that on single paths there are just too <br /> many walkers and groups of walkers for faster travelling users to avoid <br /> collisions with (even with good visibility) . On these facilities, bikers and <br /> skaters should be provided a separate (usually parallel) path. Trails in <br /> suburban or less densely populated areas can be designed for effective <br /> multiple use. Visibility is the key factor in allowing multiple use. <br /> Additionally, trail width, length and grade of hills, and radius of curves are <br /> important factors. In areas that are expected to grow rapidly, provisions <br /> should be made for adding a second path or widening the trail. <br /> 5. Costs for Bicycle Path/Lane Construction <br /> Although not presented at the meeting, estimates were provided by Paul <br /> Kirkwold, Deputy Director of Ramsey County Public Works Dept. : <br /> For an 8 foot wide bike path constructed as part of road reconstruction <br /> the cost is $5. 50 per lineal foot or $29 , 000 per mile. If constructed <br /> independently of road reconstruction the cost rises to $8 . 50 per foot or <br /> $45 , 000 per mile. For different widths, costs are in direct proportion. <br /> For 6 foot wide bike lanes constructed on both sides of an urban roadway <br /> a0part of road reconstruction the cost is $23 . 25 per foot or $123 , 000 per <br /> e. For a 6 foot paved shoulder on both sides as part of a recycle/ <br /> erlay project the cost is $11. 50 per lineal foot or $62 , 000 per mile. <br /> 6. Trails Plans <br /> Greg Mack showed a Ramsey County base map showing existing and planned <br /> trails. Logical trail corridors linking county and regional parks together <br /> were highlighted along with corridors primarily important for transportation. <br /> The map showing these corridors is attached. The most important of these <br /> corridors are: <br /> Burlington Northern ROW <br /> DNR Munger Trail (35E to Pine Springs) <br /> St. Paul Riverfront <br /> Long Lake to White Bear (Hiway 96) <br /> Lake Johanna--Long Lake--Rice Creek to Anoka Cty Trail <br /> Keller Lake to Long Lake <br /> Lexington Ave (Summit to County Rd J) <br /> St. Paul Circle Route (incl. Wheelock Pkway) <br /> County Rd. C (Transportation) <br /> County Rd J. (N. Cty. border) <br /> The "parks linking corridors" add up to about 92 miles with 27 of these <br /> already in place. Another 46 miles are "transportation" or "feeder" routes. <br /> This amounts to 138 miles, not including a large number of local park paths <br /> and bikeways. <br /> •Greg pointed out that a Ramsey County Regional Bikeway System was put <br /> together in 1976, and a "Plan for Trails" was proposed in the 1989 report <br /> of the Ramsey County & St. Paul Parks Task Force. Our new plan and these <br /> earlier plans have a lot in common. The new plan reflects new developments <br /> in roadways, trails, and parklands. <br />