Route 6 Trail Crossing in Farmington?

Where is this beautiful bridge? Actually, it is one of two such bridges within a mile of each other along the Cuyahoga Valley Recreational Area Towpath Trail in Valley View (just outside of Cleveland). I've posted about it back in 2007 (omigosh, 5 years ago!), but it seems important to do so again, as folks are studying the extension of the trail from Farmington to Plainville, and seriously considering an at-grade crossing of US Route 6 at New Britain Avenue, a serious safety issue to my thinking. Imagine you are a serious cyclist out for a fast ride on the trail in this area once it is complete, and you come to cross  Route 6 with its current push button signal activation (or even if the signal is successfully upgraded to permit detection of the cyclist by the loop wires in the paving). Most such cyclists will be sorely tempted to cross this high volume, high speed road against the red light, with the real possibility for an accident that would certainly be the cyclist's fault, but could be so easily (and elegantly) avoided by providing such an elevated crossing as this bridge would provide. Imagine riding over the road with this as your view:

It can happen here, if there is the will for it amongst local citizens and trail users that will get the politicians and the DOT moving in this direction. I have been told, by those with more experience with local trail building than I have, that to include a bridge in the trail design guarantees considerable additional cost for construction and delays in obtaining approvals, both the result of DOT involvement in the process. I know that such was the case at the Salmon Brook bridge in Granby, CT. By the time that project was finally into construction, the cost was $140,000 over the amount the Town had received in funding. This difference was funded from generous contributions of several trail organizations (made possible by members like you) and by some creativity of the Town itself.

Let's hope that when our turn comes to close the gaps in Plainville and Farmington, the necessary will will be there.


One additional thought. In order to reduce costs, perhaps design and engineering costs could be underwritten by one of the corporations located in the office park alongside the trail south of the proposed  bridge crossing. The one that comes first to my mind is Trumpf, primarily because they seem to be an organization that cares about good design (one need only visit the Farmington campus to witness this). Perhaps some "naming rights" for the bridge could be worked out.

And, as it turns out, I also happen to have a set of construction drawing for this bridge in my possession, the result of a lengthy process with lots of help from folks along the way. Here is one of those drawings:

Oh well, what would life be if we couldn't dream, and why not dream big dreams while we are at it? If you think this is a good idea, please let others know by clicking here, or let the Farmington Town Manager know by email at: eagenk@farmington-ct.org.