This note was sent to the address on the Ohio Department of Transportation contact listed on the sign (and I may send it to others).

Hi!

I saw the signs on the Little Miami Trail regarding the work on the car-only road, I-275, and its impacts on the multiuse trail beneath it. You invited comment about the proposed impacts. As an avid cyclist and frequent trail user, I feel it necessary to do so.

I have reviewed both the sign (photo attached) and the project web site. While it does list an eventual, potential bridge for non-motorized traffic between the trail and Lake Isabella, it sounds more prospective than planned. The web site offers no clear description of impacts and mitigations to the trail during construction, so these comments are based solely on what’s on the sign. If there is additional information or a misunderstanding on my part, please provide clarification–it’s more than welcome.

The sign describes “intermittent closures of the trail during future construction” between Beech Road and Bridge Street. This effectively cuts off the approximately 15 miles of the trail from the northern sections. I think this will have huge impact to trial users who rely on the trail for a variety of reasons. Some specific practical concerns:

  • “Intermittent” is not clearly defined. Will it only be during weekday work hours (8-5), or 24x7? How frequently will this be closed? Having the trail open outside working hours would be less impactful that frequent 24x7 closures.
  • The detour is is inadequate, and, frankly, insulting to trail users. I consider myself an experienced cyclist–I can share my bona fides if you wish–and will use the proposed detour. It includes multiple significant hills and blind corners on a fairly busy road. The should contains several broken sections, and drivers do not respect cyclists’ right to the full lane. I take extreme caution on this section. I can’t imagine less experienced cyclists trying to use the proposed detour. There is no sidewalk for pedestrian traffic. To put it bluntly, this is not a attempt to accommodate trail users. Instead, it feels like a cynical and insincere play to say you offered a detour in order to check a box and move the project forward.

If are questions regarding my assessment of the detour, I’d be happy to ride it with anyone on the project who is interested, provided they do so while on a bicycle. We can discuss this proposal once we have completed the ride and they have experienced it first hand.

I also have a philosophical issue with this detour. While legally riding on the roads, I’ll hear the shout of “get on the trail” from motor vehicle operators. Now, for a project in support of a road exclusively for motor vehicles, that trail cyclists are told to use is being taken from us with, for all intents and purposes, no alternative or compensation. From an ethical point of view, this is wrong and unfair.

I feel it is imperative that this project be delayed until the needs of trail users can be better accommodated during the construction.

Thank you,