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Just as I figured, you don't even use the arboretum. The bridge would lead directly to the new intersection so people can make it to the INTERSTATE more quickly and easily, which is sorely needed in that area. It will save EVERYBODY time that passes through that intersection daily to get to the interstate. It's about alleviating traffic from this town, not making runs to the strip mall. Pay attention and use some reading comprehension next time.
First of all you're wrong, I do use the arboretum and it is an asset to the town.
Secondly what makes you think a road (that hasn't been designed) from patteson to the new exit will be any faster than going through star city? What congestion will be relieved from that road? From my perspective, the biggest bottleneck is from the coliseum to utc and it seems half that traffic is going to the utc. Don't you think a bridge from 8th street would have the same affect in relieving congestion?
I dont get what the problem is, can we not just build the bridge from 8th street and make it diagonal towards the UTC? I mean 8th st to patteson dr is what? 1/2 a mile? if that.....Ive been to the Arboretum and it wasnt nothin special to me, but I understand how important it can be to others.....a bridge doesnt necessarily have to be straight across, I know more bridge=more money, but hey, lets be a little less conformative......a diagonal and steep bridge directly from 8th St. to the UTC would be not only awesome, but efficient.....
I dont get what the problem is, can we not just build the bridge from 8th street and make it diagonal towards the UTC? I mean 8th st to patteson dr is what? 1/2 a mile? if that.....Ive been to the Arboretum and it wasnt nothin special to me, but I understand how important it can be to others.....a bridge doesnt necessarily have to be straight across, I know more bridge=more money, but hey, lets be a little less conformative......a diagonal and steep bridge directly from 8th St. to the UTC would be not only awesome, but efficient.....
It'd be efficient, but way too much money. Bear in mind that when the MPO did their Long Range Transportation Plan, they did the rough cost estimate for each alternative. They include the roadways leading to and from each bridge but the cost for the bridge alone at the Arboretum would be $30 million (which was due to the fact it was assumed to be of a gateway appearance and was wider than the other two bridges). And that bridge was only assumed to be 1,000 ft long. There's the issue; this would necessarily take out a large swath of the Arboretum for a new roadway down the hill a ways and the abutments before the bridge was even constructed. The bridge itself would start towards the bottom of the hill and end at Granville, before a new road would lead to UTC. By the MPO's projections, a bridge that would actually start at the end of the Coliseum parking lot and ending at UTC (thus vaulting the Arboretum and Granville) would cost roughly $90 million, with other project costs pushing that over $100 million easily. The total project cost of the original conception of the Patteson to UTC bridge was $49 million.
I'm of the opinion that spending an extra $50 million to save the Arboretum would be irresponsible. On the other hand, destroying a key natural resource in the City to save a few minutes on the trip to get to the interstate is also irresponsible, especially if other viable alternatives exist. The original project cost estimate for the 8th Street Bridge was $32 million ($17 million for the bridge itself). While not a direct link to UTC and the new interchange, the attending roadway modifications through Westover and Granville will provide an additional route to those areas while still relieving some congestion at 705 and Mon Boulevard, not to mention the strain on Beechurst by everyone trying to get to the Westover Bridge.
Having said all that, that's only my opinion. I'm not the consultant and we'll see what their draft recommendations are here in a couple weeks.
I dont get what the problem is, can we not just build the bridge from 8th street and make it diagonal towards the UTC? I mean 8th st to patteson dr is what? 1/2 a mile? if that.....Ive been to the Arboretum and it wasnt nothin special to me, but I understand how important it can be to others.....a bridge doesnt necessarily have to be straight across, I know more bridge=more money, but hey, lets be a little less conformative......a diagonal and steep bridge directly from 8th St. to the UTC would be not only awesome, but efficient.....
The problem with that is that the Mon River turns west right at 8th Street. So you would be building a bridge down the middle of the river
And to respond the the Arboretum detractors. I work in the Dept. of Biology. The arboretum is used quite frequently. Not to mention it's some nice green space in a city which has no nice parks and where green space is quickly disappearing.
It is an old-growth forest, which is very rare not only in WV, but on much of the east coast. It is also home to HUNDREDS of varieties of species that cannot be seen going for a walk in the forests around here and many of which are studied by the department and other schools within the university and county.
And to respond the the Arboretum detractors. I work in the Dept. of Biology. The arboretum is used quite frequently. Not to mention it's some nice green space in a city which has no nice parks and where green space is quickly disappearing.
It is an old-growth forest, which is very rare not only in WV, but on much of the east coast. It is also home to HUNDREDS of varieties of species that cannot be seen going for a walk in the forests around here and many of which are studied by the department and other schools within the university and county.
We frequent it quite a bit during the warmer months, very nice place. There always other people there too.
For all those concerned about green space, you can travel 10 minutes to the east and find all the green space you want at Cooper's Rock. In fact, you can travel in any direction and within a few minutes you will find green space. This town needs a bridge connecting Patteson Drive to the new interchange way more than it needs the arboretum (which is on a steep hillside anyway and inaccessible to a lot of older people and those with physical impairments).
For all those concerned about green space, you can travel 10 minutes to the east and find all the green space you want at Cooper's Rock. In fact, you can travel in any direction and within a few minutes you will find green space. This town needs a bridge connecting Patteson Drive to the new interchange way more than it needs the arboretum (which is on a steep hillside anyway and inaccessible to a lot of older people and those with physical impairments).
The arboretum is OWNED and primarily used by WVU.....aka not older people. The top 3 acres of the arboretum is flat, well-maintained, and easily accessible to older and handicapped. And, like I said, there is plant diversity there that cannot be found anywhere else. You can't just replant a 200 year old tree somewhere else
I can see and agree with points on both sides of the argument about the arboretum and its imporatance. Personally, I would like to see a happy medium reached. A new span across the river is desperately needed and will have to built somewhere; regardless, as the area's traffic demand has surpassed the limits of the current infrastructure. If it makes the most sense to build it over and through the arboretum, then so be it. I'm confident thorough research and planning will be utilized to make sure the impact is as minimal as possible. I hope that given this opportunity, the bridge design will be something that can be a point of pride for the area. I'm no engineer, but a large suspension bridge would look nice in my opinion.
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