Jerry Hinnefeld
Henry Scott
judithrobert
Jeff Nixa
memooney
Adam Bee
bspitzer
Nate Barnett
Paul Taylor
Danny Graber
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Phil G-E
petercolan
Jim Moffitt
Judy Lee
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nimbabike
Action Needed: Maple City Greenway Underpass Project at Risk
Posted by Phil G-E on May 2, 2009
If you use Goshen’s Maple City Greenway, the bike/pedestrian trail along the Mill Race, please take note: according to the Elkhart Truth and a variety of local sources. This issue will be decided this coming Tuesday, May 5th, at 7:00 p.m. at 111 E. Jefferson in Goshen. It boils down to budget concerns and others throwing out the “safety” concerns of a tunnel. I believe the safety concerns of bicyclist/pedestrian injury or death are far more realistic, given what I’ve been told about the well-designed project. Please see details here: Goshen City Council puts brakes on pedestrian underpass. See more below the separator.
Let’s make a good showing of support and continue this long awaited project.
Julia King recently sent a letter to the editor of the Elkhart Truth about this matter. Here is the content of that letter:
On May 5, the Goshen City Council will vote on whether to proceed with a plan to create a safe passage under Plymouth for bikes and pedestrians traveling North and South on the Millrace path.
It’s obvious that the crossing at Plymouth is dangerous (anyone who doesn’t know this hasn’t tried to cross the road at high traffic times – especially from the South). But aside from the increased safety a bike/pedestrian underpass would provide, there are good economic reasons to proceed with the project.
The city has already spent several years saving money specifically for this underpass, has secured a grant to fund 80% of the cost, and has paid a large sum for design. Finally, construction bids are low right now due to the economy.
Goshen has wisely invested not only in a bike path, but in the recreation area that includes Shanklin Park andthe Reith Interpretive Center. An underpass will connect these popular community resources, considerably boosting the power of our dollars.
Goshen residents should encourage City Council to spend responsibly – AND to save lives.
Adam Bee said
Turning down all those federal funds and dumping their sunk investments just to save a little in a down cycle is a completely false economy.
It might be a good idea for private businesses to rein in spending right now, but it’s a terrible idea for governments, and especially not on half-completed construction projects with 80% matching funds! This deal really could not get sweeter for Goshen and they’d be fools not to grab it.
The Spokesrider said
Is there a map that shows where this proposed trail is to go? I ride through Goshen every now and then, but usually coming from the northeast on my way to points southwest or southeast. I have no trouble negotiating through that part of town. But to the northwest in the vicinity of US-33 would probably be another matter. Is that where this trail is supposed to go? (I don’t know where Plymouth is. Well, I know where the town of Plymouth is, but I presume you’re referring to a street. I do know about some old mill sites south of town, but I’m curious as to where the millrace path is.)
P.S. Never mind about Plymouth. I found it on my maps. I’m still curious about the millrace path. I’ve crossed Goshen from east to west several times, but don’t recall crossing such a thing.
Phil G-E said
Take a look at this map of the path I just posted on Google Maps:
http://tinyurl.com/GoshenMillRacePath
The Spokesrider said
Thanks. I’ll have to look for that next time I ride there. Usually I greatly enjoy just riding down main street, but I suppose I usually pick quiet weekends to do it.
BTW, do you or anyone else know anything about this log cabin?
If I remember right, it’s a little further south than the path you’ve indicated. Maybe it’s near where county road 38 or county road 40 crosses the Elkhart River.