Title
U.S. Naval Academy Bridge Shared-Use Path Project - For the purpose of the City Council to accept the Annapolis Transportation Board recommendations for the U.S. Naval Academy Bridge Shared-Use Path Project (SUP); and generally related to City of Annapolis efforts to ensure the City becomes more cyclist-friendly.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 27-24
Introduced by: Alderman Savidge
Co-sponsored by: Alds. O'Neill, Pindell Charles
A RESOLUTION concerning
U.S. Naval Academy Bridge Shared-Use Path Project
FOR the purpose of the City Council to accept the Annapolis Transportation Board recommendations for the U.S. Naval Academy Bridge Shared-Use Path Project (SUP); and generally related to City of Annapolis efforts to ensure the City becomes more cyclist-friendly.
WHEREAS, The City of Annapolis is currently building a City-wide bike network (the Project) and working with Anne Arundel County (AAC) on connecting the City's local cycling trail network with the ACC’s more extensive regional bike network; and
WHEREAS, Current planning for the Project does not include a separated, protected shared-use path on the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Bridge, nor is the USNA Bridge currently included within the Project's scope; and
WHEREAS, The USNA Bridge is the main route between downtown Annapolis and the AAC's B&A Trail and is the only route from Greenbury Point to the Naval Academy Yard and the Naval Academy Stadium; and
WHEREAS, Several regional shared-use projects are underway, and the USNA Bridge is a disconnect in those projects:
• On the east side of the USNA Bridge, AAC is working on a shared-use path from the B&A Trail-end on Boulters Way.
• On the west side of the USNA Bridge, the City is planning a College Creek Connector Trail to access Downtown Annapolis and the planned Poplar Trail extension, West-East Express Trail (WEE, and the South Shore Trail).
• The West-East Express Trail goes to Odenton and connects to the WB&A Trail to Washington D.C.; and
WHEREAS, The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA) own and maintain the USNA Bridge, and only they can initiate and complete this Project; and
WHEREAS, The Annapolis Transportation Board (ATB) reviewed the issues and states in its recommendation,
"The current painted bike lanes on the shoulder of the Bridge lanes are unprotected and unsafe. According to the National Traffic Safety Board, the posted speed limit of 40 mph has a pedestrian collision fatality probability of 85%, an unacceptable danger. A separated shared-use path would greatly increase safety for everyone who uses the USNA Bridge, from inexperienced and unskilled riders to the most expert.";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Council supports the following Annapolis Transportation Board recommendations for the U.S. Naval Academy Bridge Shared-Use Path Project (SUP):
1. Include both the sidewalk and bike lanes in the shared-use path to make it a two-way bike lane across the USNA Bridge, and expand the SUP bike lanes across College Creek Bridge; and
2. Extend the SUP West along Route 450 and add a new crosswalk North/South to limit the number of crossings most riders will have to take from two (2) to one (1); and
3. Modify the design for the shared-use path on the USNA Bridge to provide proper protection for the high-speed limit on the Bridge.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City Manager submit this resolution to the Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT/SHA) and ensure state officials know of the City's support of a shared-use path across the USNA Bridge.
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall take effect upon passage.