Pedestrian and bicycle bridge to be built over Hal Greer Boulevard

[tbailey1138]

The hospital has given some funding. You are right though, it would be nice to see more.

[tbailey1138]

COUNCIL: Mayor Working on Hal Greer Pedestrian Access, Automatic Business License Revocation for Delinquint B & O Taxes | Huntington News

[jcesomstudent]

What ever happened with the Hal Greer Pedestrian Bridge project? Was it officially scrapped? Haven't heard anything about it in a while and certainly no work has begun. Sure wish the city would do a better job of keeping the public informed on the status of important projects that would really be beneficial to the community.

[tbailey1138]

Last I heard, it was still in the property acquisition phase and also looking for more funding. I think they are also still trying to decide where the best location would be. They had indicated that they wanted to put it near Columbia Ave. While this would work well for medical students, it wouldn't get used by most employees or visitors going across the street to eat. That would kind of defeat the purpose. A more central location going over to where the gas station was would be the best location. This could then link into Ritter Park via Boulevard Ave and would be the PATH connection they desire as well.

[jcesomstudent]

I wonder if they have spoken to any of the eating establishments across Hal Greer (McDonald's, GD Ritzy's, El Ranchito, Frost Top) about possibly donating some money to the project since the pedestrian bridge would theoretically benefit their businesses by easing access. The confusing thing about this project is that when it was announced several years ago, it was billed as "fully funded" and they even listed the financial specifics for the project. Then they started harping about land acquisition as people were being killed crossing the street. The old gas station lot would be a perfect spot for the bridge to land on that side of the rode. It's just sitting there vacant and people have started parking there. I would like to know who owns that property now and what the plans are for it since the gas station has been torn down. What a prime piece of real estate.

[tbailey1138]

I think the funding in place was for the bridge itself. Then property acquisition became an issue. The former Go-Mart lot would be a great place for the bridge but being such a highly visible piece of land, I think the preference would be to have a business there. Hopefully we hear so etching on this before too long.

[elewis7]

I found this on the Engage Huntington site (a MindMixer page facilitating communication of ideas between the citizens and the city). It's a comment from Bryan Chambers, director of communications for the city:

"The Hal Greer pedestrian bridge project is still being considered, but so are less costly projects that are anticipated to have the same positive impact on pedestrian safety."

That tells me that they still have the bridge idea in the back of their minds, but they'll probably just put in another crosswalk somewhere. That's a shame. If that happens, then the funds for the bridge should go directly to supporting other PATH projects.

[jcesomstudent]

It really would be a shame to scrap the pedestrian bridge and besides that crosswalks would be nowhere near as safe as a bridge. There are just too many lanes on that road to safely cross, even with a crosswalk, in my opinion. Additionally, the bridge would have really advanced PATH which would be great. I just hate when they announce these grandiose ideas and advertise them as fully funded and release artist renditions of the projects and then they never happen. The bridge could also serve as a very aesthetically-pleasing "gateway" into the city.

[tbailey1138]

New section of the PATH nearly complete:

New PATH Construction Almost Complete