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| Kacy Hillman | 7/8/2013 4:22:35 PM |
| PLEASE DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. I ride and drive this route and intersection frequently and there is a dire need for dedicated bike lanes. It is a current hazard to both bicyclists and vehicles. | |
| Steven Johnson | 7/8/2013 3:10:15 PM |
| I am writing to ask that the Planning and Zoning Commission NOT approve the proposal by DOT for Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive unless bike lanes are added to the proposal. Municipal planners requested bike lanes for this interchange as described in the Anchorage Bike Plan. As a year round bicycle commuter in Anchorage, I find it dangerous when bike lanes on major routes suddenly end. As a licensed driver in Anchorage, I also find conditions hazardous when bicycles enter interchanges when no provision is made for their passage. Thank you. | |
| Courtney Swartz | 7/8/2013 3:06:44 PM |
| Please, take cyclists' safety into consideration when planning things like the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal. After all, safer paths, routes, etc. for cyclists inherently make it safer for motorists, too. Please, consider the addition of bike lanes to this proposal, rather than omitting them. Thank you. | |
| Nathan Hemmer | 7/8/2013 12:29:23 PM |
| Bicyclists need to be included in this plan, not disregarded. By creating a plan that has bicyclists take a long, circuitous detour instead of the direct route through the Raspberry-Minnesota intersection, you are effectively creating no plan at all. Many cyclists will be unaware of this, or may choose to cross the intersection anyways. Please reconsider the plan to include a safe route for cyclists and motorists alike through this intersection. Thank you | |
| Steve Colt | 7/8/2013 11:52:33 AM |
| Rasberry and Minn intersection P&Z should not approve DOT proposal to discourage bicycles from Rasberry-Minn intersection. Since Rasberry is already set up for cycling (as it should be), the intersection should encourage not discourage safe passage for bicycles. Thank you for considering my opinion. | |
| John Wheeler | 7/8/2013 10:47:56 AM |
| Dear Planning and Zoning commissioners, Leaving bicyclists to fend for themselves along a popular and convenient route is dangerous. Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. We can do this in a way that is good for motorists and bicyclers. | |
| Tobias Schwoerer | 7/8/2013 10:39:18 AM |
| Hi, Raspberry Road NEEDS BIKE LANES through the interchange as outlined in the Bike Plan. DO NOT approve the DOT plan for Raspberry Road and Minnesota without adequate provisions for bicyclists. This is an important corridor for E-W travel as recognized in the Anchorage Bicycle Plan as it connects neighborhoods on the East and West side of Minnesota Road, who are otherwise difficult to reach due to the barrier created by Minnesota. Children, teenagers, and families often bike in the Anchorage Bowl area. Discouraging bikers is definitely not appropriate action by DOT and shows an old-fashioned, outdated, and short-sighted engineering approach by the Alaska DOT. | |
| Margaret Anderson | 7/8/2013 10:35:45 AM |
| Please make Anchorage safer for bicyclists and motorists by providing well marked and wide bicycle lanes on Raspberry Road and other major roads and their connections so that commuters of both modes can get to their work quickly and smoothly. Multi-use sidewalks are great for pedestrians and slower bike riders, but bike commuters need to bike in the street in order to get to work in a reasonable amount of time. | |
| Jack Brothers | 7/7/2013 11:56:41 PM |
| I request that the Planning and Zoning commissioners DO NOT APPROVE the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes as identified in the Anchorage Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. The design needs to make the intersection as safe as possible for all road users, not just motorists. | |
| Dwight Iverson | 7/7/2013 11:16:03 PM |
| Dear Sir: Please include safety considerations & infrastructure for bicyclist in all road projects. The Anchorage Bike Plan has involved much consideration and support from our comunity. Bike lanes, striping, & signage is very critical for safe transportation for the Raspberry Road Project. Avoiding unnecessary intersection crossings is important for safety. This is why it is so important for bicycle traffic to have dedicated bike lanes. Additionally the multi use path needs some maintenance. Thank you for your attention to this important matter concerning Anchorage safe transportation planning. . | |
| Jacqueline Cason | 7/7/2013 9:51:53 PM |
| I am writing to the Planning and Zoning commission regarding the C Street and Raspberry intersection. I write in support of the existing bike plan and the need for a clear path for bicycles. I ask the commission to accept one premise that should govern their decisions--bicyclists will use that intersection. They will use that intersection, not because they are defiant or refuse alternatives but because that intersection is the obvious link to two well developed trail systems. I was out today and decided to ride near that intersection. I live in the Lake Hood area, and I can access southern trails by riding to Kincaid or riding our Jewel Lake. I can easily access Victor Rd and many of the triais ont the south side. I can connect to Campbell Lake trails, the Coastal Trail, Chester Creek. But if I am riding the trail system in the west and east and want to move across, C and Raspberry can be very important. Strawberry is close and has a well-developed bicycle corridor. C is also a well developed North-South corridor. All one has to do is look at the city bike map, and the C Raspberry intersection looks like an opportunity to connect multiple interlocking trails. I don't understand how anyone could want to miss this opportunity. Bicycle commuters contribute to a healthy populace. I hang with a 50-75 crowd, but I also have children who are active cyclists. I am simultaneously a member of the BCA, the Randonneurs club, the Arctic Bicycle Club, and the Mighty Bikes youth group. Many of these members contribute to the health and well-being of young and old. Cycling trails also attract tourists and provide incentives for visiting Anchorage. Finally, bicycle commuters help to reduce traffic and wear and tear on the roads, which are expensive. Please accept that cyclists will navigate the intersection. The choice before you is to pretend that you will ban or discourage them or you will help to define the relative actions of cyclists and motorists, to promote the greatest safety and cooperation for all. That is the choice I see, and I implore you to choose safety. Jackie Cason | |
| David Ellison | 7/7/2013 9:32:11 PM |
| Please do not approve the DOT plan for Raspberry Road and Minnesota without adequate provisions for bicyclists. This is an important corridor as recognized in the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. Children and families often bike in the Anchorage Bowl area, any loss of signage, barriers or any other bike related traffic lanes places the city and state at risk of law suit and possible injury to the bicyclist. | |
| Bailey Johnston | 7/7/2013 6:49:57 PM |
| Hello Planning and Zoning commissioners, Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal without adding bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. As a user of the trail system and bike commuter here in Anchorage, I would urge you to think about the future of the city and the role bicycles will play. If we want a destination city for both residents and visitors alike, we will need to consider all options for people to navigate the city. Thank you for all you do - | |
| Robert Silverbook | 7/7/2013 6:28:38 PM |
| I discourage approval of the DOT's proposal to eliminate bicycle lanes at the Raspberry road and Minnesota intersection. It's a very long way to cross Minnesota otherwise and fantasy to think that bikers won't ride Raspberry under Minnesota, even if there's no bike lane or signage saying "don't do it"! | |
| Roger Shaw | 7/7/2013 1:48:03 PM |
| I strongly support the Anchorage Bicycle Plan and policies developed through thoughtful deliberation for the Anchorage 2020 Plan. It is a significant affront to the citizens of Anchorage, bicyclists, pedestrians, as well as motorists alike, when the Alaska DOT proposes to NOT accommodate bicyclists on the Raspberry roadway and to route bicycle traffic to an existing pathway. This would create a huge safety problem for all who use the intersection with the Minnesota Bypass. I have frequently used this corridor for bicycle commuting and suggest that in-road bicycle lanes on BOTH North and South sides of Raspberry Road are an absolute necessity. Please consider safety first and require ADOT to amend its plans. | |
| carla copenhaver | 7/7/2013 1:00:07 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners.Our roadways need to be safe for all who use them. Thank you for listening! | |
| Robin Leighty | 7/7/2013 12:02:20 PM |
| Please implement the conditions identified by the Municipality Community Development Department for the proposed changes to Raspberry Road at Minnesota by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, i.e., "Provide bicycle lanes and signage on both sides of Raspberry Road in accordance with the 2010 Anchorage Bicycle Plan and meeting the design requirements of the 2012 AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities." The justification for this is clearly and comprehensively articulated in the June 24, 2013 memorandum from the Municipality's Non-Motorized Transportation Coordinator. Please ensure that any changes to Raspberry Road at Minnesota accommodate safe travel on the roadway for bicyclists. Thank you for accepting comments from the public on this matter. | |
| Max Walker | 7/7/2013 10:45:04 AM |
| Please do not eliminate the striped bike lane on Raspberry Road underneath the Minnesota bridge. Dedicated bike lane are essential to safety of the bicyclists! Thank you very much for your consideration. Max Walker, M.D. | |
| David Roes | 7/7/2013 12:09:35 AM |
| I ride close to 100 miles a week during the summer all around Anchorage. Integrating the trail system into the traffic planning is critical for Anchorage. Planning future trafic paterns depends on how well we can keep our city balanced with safety, recreational use, bike commuters and vehicle traffic. | |
| David Roes | 7/7/2013 12:09:18 AM |
| I ride close to 100 miles a week during the summer all around Anchorage. Integrating the trail system into the traffic planning is critical for Anchorage. Planning future trafic paterns depends on how well we can keep our city balanced with safety, recreational use, bike commuters and vehicle traffic. | |
| Brad Sandison | 7/6/2013 10:00:11 PM |
| I am a bike commuter and live off Raspberry. I use Raspberry to "C" and "C" to Dowling then down Dowling to work daily. I also use eastbound Raspberry to "C" as my main way to get around most north and south destinations. I believe the marked lane along this road is necessary and a good safe idea. Please DO NOT take this out of the plan for this new construction project. Thank You. Brad Sandison | |
| Brian Lindamood | 7/6/2013 9:00:53 PM |
| It is my understanding that DOT does not intend to provide proper bicycle and pedestrian facilities for this project. This is inconsistent with the Anchorage bicycle plan, and it makes no sense. There are major bicycle routes on west Raspberry Road and Kincaid Park, and facilities on East Raspberry and on the DOT's proposed Dowling extension project and C Street. It is preposterous and dangerous to bifurcate the connection between the two with a heavily trafficked intersection. Please insist that DOT provide separated pedestrian and bicycle facilities for this project consistent with those provided on west Raspberry, C and West Dowling Road. | |
| Julie Castle | 7/6/2013 12:43:26 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT's Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal UNLESS they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Bikes and cars can share the intersection much more safely if there is a designated place for bikes to be! Otherwise the bikes are going to squeeze in anyway but be in more danger. | |
| Pat Murphy | 7/6/2013 10:20:28 AM |
| If the city is to build bike and pedestrian access on the Raspberry Rd and Minnesota exchange as per the municipal code, these users should have easy access to cross under the bridge. It would be very stupid to have the bike lanes and sidewalks just end on either side of the overpass’ and expect these users to go out of their way to travel the 30 yards to where it picks up again. This will just force most of the non-motorized users into the road to compete with motorized traffic. A design of this nature will be dangerous for everyone. Please design the under/over pass in an intelligent way to allow the non-motorized users a safe, efficient and convenient route through this area of town. | |
| Kathy Stevens | 7/6/2013 5:48:42 AM |
| Please do not approve DOT's plan not to include bike lanes on the Raspberry/ Minnesota proposal unless they add bike lanes through the Raspberry interchange. It is important for the bikers to be easily seen when riding on roads and where drivers will be looking. Please follow the bike plan requested by our Municipal Planners. | |
| Kim Riggs | 7/5/2013 10:52:47 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal without the addition of bike lanes through the interchange. Bike commuting continues to grow in Anchorage and it is important that the city supports and encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Removing bike lanes will discourage such activity by making it dangerous and creating conflict between cyclist and motorists. Please adhere to the previously approved Anchorage Bicycle Plan that accommodates both bicycle and motor vehicle traffic in a safe manner. | |
| Jean Tam | 7/5/2013 9:35:15 PM |
| Please include the bike lanes as per the original plan. Raspberry will be an important east-west bike route when construction is completed. | |
| Lesley Yamauchi | 7/5/2013 9:06:32 PM |
| Dear Planning and Zoning commissioners As a recreational biker who uses Raspberry Road area. Please don't approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Most Sincerely, Lesley Yamauchi | |
| Thomas Van Pelt | 7/5/2013 7:44:15 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the Draft Design Study Report for the West Dowling Road Phase III (MOA/ADOT Project No. 55148) as submitted by ADOT. This proposed roadway redesign is flawed in not including striped and signed bike lanes, and failing to conform to the Anchorage Bicycle Plan unanimously approved by the Anchorage Assembly in 2010. The Bike Plan identifies the recently connected Dowling and Raspberry Roads to be an important east-west core bicycle route. Consistent with the Plan, bike lanes have been established both east and west of their connection with Minnesota Drive. DOT engineers argue that no on-street bicycle infrastructure can make this intersection safe for both motorists and cyclists, and thus propose to discourage cycling by failing to provide marked bike lanes. I disagree that bike lanes cannot be incorporated into the roadway. What DOT is proposing is the least safe of all approaches – simply terminate the existing bike lanes as they approach this intersection and let cyclists and motorists try to sort it out for themselves. Please provide continuous and striped bike lanes at this intersection. Thank you in advance for including bikes as a valid priority in the Raspberry/Minnesota roadway design. | |
| William Padgett | 7/5/2013 4:58:12 PM |
| Vis a vis Raspberry Road Plan; don't mess with the Bike Plan! | |
| Niles Woods | 7/5/2013 3:28:35 PM |
| Dear P&Z, Please do not approve the DOT's Raspberry Road/Minnesota Dr. proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our Municipal Planners! Prior to two years ago, I lived on both sides of this intersection (Raspberry and Minnesota) for over 30 years. During this time, and also currently, I have regularly ridden my bike through that intersection on Raspberry Road. Occasionally I would use the tunnel under Minnesota, but most of the time I would bike on the side of Raspberry Road. And, I think most bikers have done and will continue to do the same thing! Please require the DOT to add bike lanes on Raspberry Road where it passes under Minnesota Dr.! This will be the safest plan for bikers going East/West on Raspberry Road! Sincerely, Niles E. Woods | |
| Tim Flesher | 7/5/2013 3:25:08 PM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. | |
| Mike Jens | 7/5/2013 2:06:28 PM |
| I have talked with the DOT engineer for the project and have recently ridden my bicycle both directions on Raspberry and under Minnesota. I share the DOT engineer's concerns for safety regarding the high speed ramps leaving and entering Raspberry going both directions. However, routing bicycles around the circuitous bike path on the south side of Raspberry is not a practical solution. Although this might be a viable route when traveling east on Raspberry, when going west it will require riders to stop and pass through two signaled crosswalks to get to the bike path, and then do the same thing to get back to Raspberry. Most riders will choose not to follow that path, particularly once they see the broken up condition of that bike path. Signing the underpass to preclude bicycles will also likely be ignored and is also not a viable solution, as is doing nothing and letting cyclists fend for themselves. It would seem the best solution would be to follow the MOA Bike Plan and sign and stripe Raspberry as it passes under Minnesota. At least this would alert motorists to the existence of bicycles and help avoid conflicts. Also, by striping the road in such a manner that would lead bicycles to cross the on and off ramps at close to 90 degree angles would also help the cyclists to take extra precautions when dealing with traffic. Ultimately, rebuilding the road to make it more accommodating to bicycles is the best solution, but is probably beyond the budget constraints for the current projects. However, until such rebuilding happens I recommend that striping and signage be installed as opposed to 1) doing nothing or, 2) forcing bicycles around the bike path to the south or, 3) trying to stop all bike traffic under Minnesota. Finally, the DOT engineer told me that 8 foot wide paved shoulders exist on both sides of Raspberry and would continue to exist under whatever scenario is implemented. However, my observation indicated that the 8 foot paved shoulder exists only on the south side of Raspberry, while the paved shoulder on the north side is only about 4 feet wide. Adding enough pavement on the north side to create an 8 foot shoulder would likely be a cost-effective solution that will help improve safety and serve to establish Raspberry as a legitimate bike route for the future. Thanks for considering my comments. | |
| Jennifer Baker | 7/5/2013 1:42:59 PM |
| I would like to request that bike lanes be kept in the redesign of Raspberry Road and Minnesota Drive. I believe this is the safest way to accommodate bicycle commuters and vehicular traffic. By no means is banning bicycle traffic at this intersection an acceptable alternative for those at the DOT that are concerned with the safety of these cyclists. Not providing the planned bike lanes for this intersection is clearly a step back from the progress Anchorage has made at becoming a bicycle friendly community. So I ask do not approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. | |
| Brant Grifka | 7/5/2013 1:16:23 PM |
| Please do not approve the DOT plan for Raspberry Road and Minnesota without adequate provisions for bicyclists. This is an important corridor as recognized in the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. The plan is solid and should be adhered to. | |
| Stephen Livingston | 7/5/2013 1:13:11 PM |
| I bicycle through the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive interchange regularly and am quite concerned about DOT's plan not to add a bike lane to this intersection. This violates the Bike Plan and recommendations of municipal planners. It exposes cyclists to unnecessary risks and is the worst possible option. The multi-use trail is circuitous and not a realistic alternative for those of us on road bikes. Safety for all in the community should always be a top priority in our municipal planning and this proposal as it now stands is unconscionable. I urge the commissioners not to approve the DOT proposal unless they add a bike lane to this interchange. Thank you, Stephen Livingston MD | |
| Peter Pritchard | 7/5/2013 1:10:41 PM |
| Please do not depart from the well thought and publicized Bike Plan. With respect to the recent word of departure from the plan on Raspberrt Rd, it appears to be one of expediency and not | |
| Frank Lahr | 7/5/2013 1:07:14 PM |
| I understand that bike lanes will not be provided on the DOT redesign of Raspberry Road at the Minnesota Drive interchange. This is contrary to the Anchorage Bike Plan that should be used to determine where bike lanes or paths should be installed and maintained. Please do not approve the DOT's plan for this interchange unless the previously planned bike lanes are also installed. | |
| Steve Bentley | 7/5/2013 12:47:32 PM |
| The proposed changes to the raspberry road bike paths are incredibly unsafe and ridiculous. Please make this new road safer for cyclists, instead of more dangerous. Many people use this road to commute to work and to ride bicycles on, the proposed changes could have negative impacts on them. Simply saying cyclists can use an alternate route is unrealistic. | |
| Marta Mueller | 7/5/2013 12:29:26 PM |
| Do not abandon the municipal bicycling plan! Preserve safe access along Raspberry Road under the Minnesota Drive overpass with marked, signed, and striped bicycle lanes. This stretch is safer to cyclists than the multiple street crossings needed to access the tunnel and the poor pavement on the patch south of Raspberry Road. Most of my cycling near-misses do not happen along traffic, they happen at intersections. I ride Raspberry Road from C Street to Kincaid Park regularly, and ride along traffic in a quick and predictable manner. I would love to see more signs and stripes. | |
| Anthony Kohler | 7/5/2013 12:25:06 PM |
| I would urge the zoning and planning condition to only approve DOT projects that conform to the Municipality's goal of aiding bicycle commuters integrate into our road system, rather than discouraging the activity with non-friendly road systems. This plan, as currently proposed directly contradicts the city's vision. It places vehicle commuters and cyclists at risk, and drives a wedge between both groups citizenry. We must encourage safe and healthy lifestyles, while reducing congestion and conflict, this is a narrow view that doesn't address the complete gamut of issues. | |
| Quenna Szafran | 7/5/2013 12:20:21 PM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Anchorage needs more bike lanes, as outlined in the Bike Plan. | |
| Brian Litmans Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage | 7/5/2013 12:05:34 PM |
| Below is the comment letter BCA submitted via e-mail. It contains images that cannot be uploaded via this on-line comment server. While BCA recommends you view the e-mail submitted letter, we also submit our comments via this server to ensure they are part of the record and available for review by others. July 3, 2013 Anchorage Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Ms. Corliss Kimmel Anchorage Community Development Department KimmelCA@muni.org Dear Planning and Zoning Commissioners, On July 8, 2013 you are scheduled to deliberate and consider approval of case #2013-084 - the Draft Design Study Report for the West Dowling Road Phase III (MOA/ADOT Project No. 55148) as submitted by ADOT. This project involves a proposed rework of the Raspberry/Dowling road connector where it passes under and connects to Minnesota Drive. We ask that you NOT approve this plan as submitted. This proposed roadway redesign is fatally flawed in that it does not include striped and signed bike lanes through the Raspberry Road underpass beneath Minnesota Drive, and thus fails to conform to Anchorage Bicycle Plan unanimously approved by the Anchorage Assembly in 2010. The Bike Plan correctly identifies the recently connected Dowling and Raspberry Roads to be an important east-west core bicycle route. Consistent with the plan, bike lanes have been established both east and west of their connection with Minnesota Drive. We understand that DOT engineers argue that no on-street bicycle infrastructure can make this intersection safe for both motorists and cyclists, and thus propose to discourage cycling by failing to provide marked bike lanes despite having plenty of paved road surface to do so. We fundamentally disagree. Most importantly, simply eliminating bike facilities (bike lanes in this case) will not improve the safety for both bicyclists and motorists. Rather, it will make the situation all the more dangerous. Second, DOT is wrong in asserting that bike lanes cannot be incorporated into the roadway that are consistent with municipal and state road design standards. Bike lanes can be included in the design, following approved AASHTO standards. As noted by Lori Schanche, Non-Motorized Transportation Coordinator, in her June 24, 2013 West Dowling Road III Additional Comments, design changes are possible that will improve safety for bicyclists and motorists. The comments cite to the AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities, 2012 (“AASHTO Guide”). This new guidance identifies that the proper/best bicycle facilities for interchanges is bike lanes or shoulders. See AASHTO Guide at 4.12.10. The AASHTO Guide notes that the “interface between the ramps and the local cross streets should minimize conflict so that both motorists and bicyclists are aware of merging and crossing locations.” Id. (emphasis added). The AASHTO Guide provides several design principles for freeway Interchanges which DOT must review, address and incorporate into this project. The AASHTO Guide is clear that for freeway entrance ramps, the bike lane should continue along the left side of the right-turn lane. The Guide notes that motorists crossing the bike lane must yield to bicyclists. This type of design includes dashed bike lanes that indicate a merging/crossing location. These dashed bike lanes are used throughout the country where there are rampways/merging areas where bicyclists and motorists interface. This is not a new problem and there are known solutions. The following images and illustrations are just examples of how rampway interchanges have or could be addressed. They are not offered as the particular solution for Raspberry Road but simply to provide images of how bike lanes could be incorporated. Figure 1. Exit ramp conflict area. Motorists exit right to an off-ramp, crossing the through bike lane that weaves left to cross the bridge. In this photo, motorists must yield to bicyclists. The area includes appropriate signage to provide notice to both motorists and bicyclists. Photo courtesy of Figure 2. Bike lane with dashed bike lane for interchange/merge area. Image courtesy of Figure 3: Blue bike lane through entrance ramp interchange. Image courtesy of In addition to design features for continuing bike lanes through the interchange, MUTCD approved signage and pavement markings, including colored bike lanes in merge areas as shown above, are also very effective in notifying bicyclists and motorists that there is an upcoming crossing/merging area. The following are examples of signs used to indicate this crossing area: Numerous studies have shown that properly designed and marked bike lanes improve safety for bicyclists and motorists. There is nothing that prevents DOT from redesigning this project in a manner that would include bicycle lanes through the entire project area. Solutions exist for this problem and must be adopted by DOT. What DOT is proposing is the least safe of all approaches – simply terminate the existing bike lanes as they approach this intersection and let bicyclists and motorists sort it out for themselves. One of the main principles of safety that stems from bike infrastructure like bike lanes is that it makes it clear to both bicyclists and motorists where the bicyclist should be. Elimination of bike lanes creates a cloud of confusion for both motorists and bicyclists. Bicycle facilities improve safety because the make bicycle travel predictable for motorists. The notion that bicyclists should abandon the roadway in favor of a circuitous multi-use path at this location is unreasonable and inappropriate. Multi-use paths are important for use by pedestrians and some bicyclists, but are not a substitute for on-street bicycle infrastructure and it would be dangerous and irresponsible to assume bicyclists will choose to use multi-use paths when that choice is inconvenient. Instead, the much more likely scenario is that bicyclists using the bike lanes will remain on the road and proceed without bike lanes. Bicyclists will be uncertain of how they should proceed (whether to take a lane or use a shoulder, and importantly how to cross the entry ramps to Minnesota). This lack of clarity will lead to car-bike collisions. The municipal Planning Department has recommended approval of the plans IF continuous bike lanes are added. Bike lanes can be established at this location with a minimum of effort and cost. Bike lanes will improve safety for both motorists and bicyclists. We strongly support the Municipality’s position and respectfully request that the Planning and Zoning Commission reject the DOT design as presented and demand that bike facilities (i.e. bike lanes) be included throughout the entire project, including the underpass of Minnesota Drive. Sincerely, /s Brian Litmans Brian Litmans President Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage | |
| Megan Soule | 7/5/2013 8:58:11 AM |
| Bike communting is an important draw to residents and professionals to work and move and STAY in this climate. It would be very short sighted not to include a bike path, even design an off set bike path for saftey. | |
| Scott Lytle | 7/5/2013 8:35:20 AM |
| I oppose ADOT proposal to basically ban bicycles from using Raspberry Road to get under Minn. The option to move all bikers to the tunnel is not a good option in my opinion. ADOT&PF is using the basic arguement that bikers will be hit. Cars will also get hit by other cars, but that is not stopping the project. Besides, I use the cross walk at Northwood and Rashberry year round and I have a lot of close calls with cars running red lights while I am walking in cross walk. If people (drivers or bikers) don't follow rules, there will be problems. The initial plan for bike lanes were reviewed and approved by those that are knowledgeable. ADOT Engineers are good, but not really trained with respect to bicycle transporation, especially when combined with vehicles. Pleae keep original plan of bike lanes or at least wide shoulders. Keeping everyone going in save direction is better than having one group try to cross in front of the other group. thank you for considering my comments. | |
| Tim Peters | 7/5/2013 8:03:37 AM |
| Re: Raspberry Road Project It has come to my attention that, "the Alaska Department of Transportation is seeking approval for redesign of Raspberry Road where it passes beneath and connects with Minnesota Drive. This is an important east-west core bicycle route recognized in the Anchorage Bicycle Plan. The Bike Plan calls for continuous striped and signed bike lanes, and they have indeed been established both east and west of the intersection in question. But DOT engineers have now incorrectly decided that both cyclist and motorists can not be safely accommodated at this intersection, and thus propose to discourage cycling by providing no on-street bicycle infrastructure contrary to the Bike Plan. Knowing that some bicyclists will use the road regardless, they have even suggested they might post the road as closed to cyclists with instructions to use the adjacent but circuitous multi-use path. This is unacceptable and inappropriate. Under the guise of safety, DOT is proposing the most unsafe of all approaches – leaving bicyclists to fend for themselves at an intersection where bike lanes will “disappear.” DOT will establish a significant and seriously problematic missing link in an important well marked bicycle route letting bicyclists and motorists sort it out for themselves." One of the things which make Anchorage one of the best cities to live in aside from the many parks, trails, and close access to wilderness is its bicycle friendly layout. It lends a quality of life to Anchorage which is missing in many cities. It helps make Anchorage a community. You cannot put a price on it, but it does have a positive impact on this community which makes it a better place to live an as a result enhances the city economically. Perhaps the DOT engineers prefer a high speed strip mall culture that is an inhospitable wasteland to all but motorized traffic. If so, let them move back to wherever they came from and not ruin this city for anything but driving around in a car. This narrow minded myopic thinking has ruined many a community down south. Don't ruin Anchorage as well. | |
| Sasha Prewitt | 7/4/2013 3:35:08 PM |
| To Whom It May Concern: It has come to my attention that the Alaska Department of Transportation is taking a huge leap backwards on the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive project by making a huge design mistake under the guise of "safety" and contrary to the Bike Plan by not including bike lanes at this intersection. There is even a suggestion that DOT&PF might post the road as closed to cyclists with instructions to use the adjacent but circuitous multi-use path. This is unacceptable and inappropriate.Under the guise of safety, DOT&PF is proposing the most unsafe of all approaches – leaving bicyclists to fend for themselves at an intersection where bike lanes will “disappear.” DOT&PF will establish a significant and seriously problematic missing link in an important well marked bicycle route letting bicyclists and motorists sort it out for themselves. As a bicyclist and a motorist, I find this idea extremely dangerous. Please do not approve this plan UNLESS bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. This is not a matter of convenience but a matter of safety. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Have a great day, Sasha | |
| Robert Loeffler | 7/4/2013 10:39:31 AM |
| I request that you NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan, and has been requested by municipal planners. Raspberry Road has been identified as a major east/west bicycle coridor and it is ridiculous that DOT engineers have decided to make it less safe for riders by removing the bike lanes. Riding on sidewalks, bike paths, and multi-use paths is not as safe as bike lanes. You get in the way of people walking and running and drivers entering the intersection from side streets rarely stop to look for riders on these adjacent paths. Drivers do, however, see you on your bike if you are in the bike lane. | |
| Kristi Wood | 7/4/2013 10:19:14 AM |
| Please require bike lanes through the Raspberry Road and Minnesota Drive intersection. Bicycle lanes help keep cyclists safe by keeping them visible to motorists. It is neither reasonable nor practicable to require cyclists to detour on multi-use greenbelts that are not appropriate for the speeds at which many bike commuters travel, since those paths are shared with pedestrians and other slow moving traffic. Those greenbelts are not always lit or maintained all year, making them even less appropriate for transportation. Bicycle lanes are simple to implement and cost very little money, but they make a world of difference to cyclists. | |
| Joel Reynolds | 7/3/2013 9:44:15 PM |
| Hi, As a year-round bicycle commuter who regularly uses the rather problematic multi-use lanes to ride along Raspberry under Minnesota, I'm very concerned that your recent plans to NOT create continuous, signed bike lanes along this major arterial as laid out in the Anchorage Bike Plan. More importantly, I strongly disagree with the option of closing the existing road to cyclists rather than address their needs as well as those of the motorists. | |
| Yvonne Goldsmith | 7/3/2013 5:48:51 PM |
| What evidence or data does DOT offer to support their contention that eliminating bike lanes through the intersection is safer for bicyclists or motorists? If none, then their conclusion is merely an opinion that should not trump the Bike Plan. | |
| Gary Fisher | 7/3/2013 5:20:56 PM |
| The municipality abandons cyclists enough in this god-forsaken city, put a stop to it by designating bike lanes in an already dangerous intersection before approving anything. Much appreciative Mr. Eff | |
| Susan Miller | 7/3/2013 1:13:18 PM |
| Planning and Zoning commissioners, I am asking you to NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless added are bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Otherwise I believe this will not be a safe option. Anchorage is a great biking city and we want to keep it that way. Thank you, Sue | |
| Amber Reichardt | 7/3/2013 12:48:27 PM |
| Regarding the Raspberry Road Project: Please make allowances to provide for bike access under Minnesota Rd. and Raspberry. The more access we provide for bikes, the more people will leave their cars at home. This decreases road congestion and pollution, creating a happier and healthier city. Thank you!! | |
| James Gove | 7/3/2013 10:43:04 AM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal as it is currently written (unless bike lanes are added - as formally requested by our municipal planners - on Raspberry through the interchange. Bike safety and the opportunity for direct travel should be a priority in any plan. By ignoring these issues the DOT is endangering cyclists. | |
| Kathleen Metcalfe | 7/3/2013 10:21:15 AM |
| I am a regular bike commuter on Raspberry - we need bike lanes to safely negotiate the intersection at Minnesota. Please keep the continuous marked bike lanes originally set out in the plan. It will be disastrous without. I regularly ride that stretch and have years of experience as a bike commuter and know that the safest place for a biker is on the street with traffic in our own lane. | |
| Steve Edwards | 7/3/2013 10:20:42 AM |
| Please follow the Anchorage Bicycle Plan, which allows for safe travel for both cyclists and motorists. The recommended changes promoted by DOT&PF are dangerous to cyclists. The recommended “solution” of using the existing bike path that veers away from Raspberry will not work for many bike commuters – the pathway is VERY POORLY maintained, the tunnel is dark and most cyclists will simply continue on the roadway, putting themselves and motorists in danger. While I live on the Hillside, I am in this portion of Anchorage at least five days per week. There is no reason to eliminate bike lanes from the roadway design. We should be encouraging better motorist/cyclist infrastructure, not designing roads that actually create problems. | |
| April Charpentier | 7/3/2013 10:05:32 AM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless there will be added bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Thank you | |
| Karen Miernyk | 7/3/2013 9:59:56 AM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Raspberry Road has been identified as a major east/west bicycle coridor and it is ridiculous that DOT engineers have decided to make it less safe for riders by removing the bike lanes. As a regular bicicyle commutor, I can attest that riding on sidewalks, bike paths, and multi-use paths is not as safe as bike lanes. You get in the way of people walking and running and drivers entering the intersection from side streets rarely stop to look for riders on these adjacent paths. Drivers do, however, see you on your bike if you are in the bike lane. I recently read an article that showed that Anchorage bicycle commuting has increased 140% in the past decade. Let's continue to make our city safer and easier to move around in for those people that choose to leave their cars at home. Thank you for your attention to this matter. | |
| Dael Devenport | 7/3/2013 9:08:13 AM |
| Planning and Zoning commissioners: Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Thank you! | |
| Jeanne Funatake | 7/3/2013 8:24:43 AM |
| Redesign of the Raspbery road interchange should take into account the fact that this road is one of only two continuous east-west roads that connect west and SW Anchorage to the rest of the city and its bike paths. It is of major importance to have striped bike lanes that continue through the intersection rather than make cyclists detour around on the long, circuitous, and dark multiuse path on the south side of Raspberry Road. I ride portions of Raspberry on my commute to work and since I live south of that road, I cross it coming home during rush hour. It is a dangerous and daunting proposition. Hope you all can make the commute safer by keeping the bike lane on-street through the interchange. | |
| Yvonne Goldsmith | 7/2/2013 11:03:54 PM |
| What evidence or data does DOT offer to support their contention that eliminating bike lanes through the intersection is safer for bicyclists or motorists? If none, then their conclusion is merely an opinion that should not trump the Bike Plan. | |
| John Weddleton | 7/2/2013 10:48:22 PM |
| There should be clear bike lanes under the Minnesota overpass. Clear bicycle lane markings are most important where things get tricky. At intersections like the one under the Minnesota overpass, it should be made clear to car drivers and cyclists where on the road they belong. It is unlikely that a cyclist motivated to get somewhere would take the circuitous route recommended by the ADOT. My experience as a bike commuter and car driver is that when there are clear bike lanes at intersections everyone is safer and more polite. Intersections as part of Phase 1 have disappearing bike lanes at intersections which is exactly where they are most needed. It is unfortunate and creates confusion. While the lanes may disappear in the winter, they are still effective during peak cycling season. Thank you | |
| Diana Evans | 7/2/2013 10:33:29 PM |
| I strongly object to the current design plan put forth by AKDOT&PF and agree with the Municipal staff recommendation that bicycle lanes and signage should be provided on both sides of Raspberry Road through the Minnesota/Raspberry interchange. ******** The current plan to curtail the bike lanes short of the overpass is a recipe for traffic disaster and will jeopardize the safety of bicyclists. ******** I urge you to reject the current design unless bike lanes on Raspberry are extended through the interchange as identified in the Anchorage Bike Plan and as formally requested by our municipal planners. ******** | |
| Allan Shayer | 7/2/2013 10:12:46 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the AKDOT Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal as it is currently written. Design bicycle lanes through the entire intersection for safety and efficiency. The existing bicycle route bypass is poorly maintained, poorly lit and inefficient. Surely AK DOT can follow the Anchorage Bike Plan, approved by the Assembly, and improve the intersection for all users including bicycle riders. The suggestion from AKDOT that not having bicycle lanes under the intersection is the safer option is wishful thinking divorced from reality. I am sure AK DOT can design the intersection to be safe for all users. The MOA planning staff believes it is possible and desirable as does the MOA Assembly and citizens of Anchorage as expressed in the Anchorage Bike Plan. I have been bicycle commuting in Anchorage for over 30 years and have experienced the slow progress of Anchorage becoming an easier and safer place for bicycle commuters. Every road project needs to take into consideration bicyclists and improving non-motorized transportation options for the good of the entire community. Build it and we will use it. Please implement the Anchorage Bike Plan. | |
| Tisha Valentine | 7/2/2013 9:56:22 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal, unless you add bicycle lanes as originally planned in the Bike Plan. I have just within the past few years started commuting via bicycle and have already noticed a huge difference between biking on roads with bike lane and those without. With a bike lane present, motorist are more aware that they share the road with bicyclists. This awareness is a needed trend as the bicycle commuter community only continues to grow in Anchorage. With the huge increase in the number of wintertime bicycle commuters, the increased safety that a bike lane provides to the cyclist is an utter necessity. We are all aware of how quickly the weather can change and how bad the road conditions can be. It should not even be a questions of IF we should have the bike lane when it comes to the safety of our fellow Anchorage community members. | |
| Chris Sturm | 7/2/2013 9:38:19 PM |
| The bicycle lane changes on Raspberry under Minnesota don't continue the on-going evolution in Anchorage. By this I mean the development of a share the road culture between vehicle and bicycles. Seward and Abbott/Dimond has accommodated a challenging intersection, encouraging slower vehicle speeds entering the on-ramp. This situation is similar to Raspberry and Minnesota. Additionally the Elmore and Dowling intersection has been able to mediate a similar challenge. While safety is always an issue, it seems that we have tackled this problem already with some success. Let's continue to take steps forward toward this new vision of sharing the road. | |
| Chris Sturm | 7/2/2013 9:31:31 PM |
| The bicycle lane proposal under Minnesota at Raspberry does not continue the evolution that we have been seeing here in Anchorage. By this I mean the sensitivity | |
| Bob Butera | 7/2/2013 9:16:07 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal. Bikes must be included in all new road projects. I recently cycled in major cities in Spain and cycles were allowed, welcomed and used all roads (some of their smaller roads were much bigger than any road in Anchorage). | |
| Peggy Cobey | 7/2/2013 8:59:09 PM |
| Elimination of marked bike lanes at Raspberry and Minnesota as planned by the DOT will create hazardous conditions for bicyclists, and all traffic using the roads. This is a common thoroughfare for many bicyclists. At the intersection, bicyclists will continue to ride, but under conditions made riskier if DOT does not include marked bike lanes. More bicyclists are riding every year. Bicyclists will continue to ride and should not be so easily dismisssed from the planning process. Let's make our roads safer for bicyclists! | |
| Scott Nelsen | 7/2/2013 8:33:46 PM |
| With regards to DOT road projects in Anchorage, I support DOT projects providing support to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. I love the work you have done on the Campbell Creek Trail by the Seward Highway. It will save many lives in the future. Please continue this; it's worth the effort. Scott Nelsen | |
| Zachary Bulacan | 7/2/2013 8:10:15 PM |
| I am a frequent user of the bike lane on raspberry and am strongly against the DOT change. Removing this would just put people at risk and make this area less friendly to pedestrians and cyclist alike. I ride to help keep my diabetes in better control. Generally I ride at between 14-18mph on average.The bike lane is a safe way for me to ride without endangering pedestrians on the multi use trail. Please ensure bikes & people have a safe enjoyable route through this area. Thank you | |
| Michael Jones | 7/2/2013 5:58:35 PM |
| It is imperative that, for the safety of both motorist and bicyclists, on-road striped bike lines be included in any plan for Raspberry Road development -- including where Raspberry Road passes under Minnesota Drive. This was already discussed in the long-range Anchorage Bike Plan. Accommodating bike commuters is not luxury. It's being forward thinking. Traffic engineers should more than understand this -- they should be planning and developing transportation routes to encourage bike commuters. To do otherwise is to hold on to outdated planning practices. | |
| Yvonne Goldsmith | 7/2/2013 5:48:17 PM |
| The intersection of Raspberry and Minnesota needs to have in-road bike lanes through the entire intersection, as adopted in the Bicycle Plan. DOT should not be given independent authority to decide when to ignore community-supported and municipal-approved plan. Does DOT improve motor vehicle safety by closing a road? No - they use their brains to develop a better design. We need to stick with what the community agreed to in the Bike Plan, otherwise, all projects devolve into case-by-case approval, and we may as well not have bothered with planning at all. Moreover, many cyclists, including myself, will take the direct route, not the roundabout way (as the DOT proposal would require). I will take the whole lane if necessary, to protect my safety. Thank you for the work you do - please support the hard work that our citizens and the Muni staff put into the Bike Plan. | |
| Joseph Guyette | 7/2/2013 5:25:40 PM |
| Dean Potter | 7/2/2013 4:56:45 PM |
| Please do not approve DOT's plan to shuffle cyclists from street to path to underpass to path to street (plus two crosswalk crossings, if you're going west). Cyclists simply won't make the detour, preferring to ride, as they have been, straight through on the road -- a course to which they have the right. Stick to the bike plan; demand some lane, lighting, and signage tweaks; and make the route convenient for all modes. | |
| Loy Donaldson | 7/2/2013 4:35:07 PM |
| Dear Planning and Zoning Commissioners, I am writing to ask you to not approve DOT's Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive Proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange. This was part of the Anchorage Bike Plan, and requested by our municipality as it grants all users a safe passage through this intersection. As a driver and a bicycle commuter, I appreciate well established and maintained bike lanes. As a driver, this helps me see cyclists and in particular avoid collisions at intersections where most car/bike accidents and deaths occur. As a cyclist I feel safer knowing my presence is visible to motorists. Please take this under consideration when making your decision on this project. Thank you for your time. -Loy Donaldson | |
| Brian Looney | 7/2/2013 4:33:09 PM |
| We only have one chance to do this right - and that must accommodate all forms of transportation - including on street bicycles. Please reconsider current plans - and include an on-street bike lane or adequate shoulder. | |
| Dawn Wilcox | 7/2/2013 4:16:41 PM |
| Please do not approve the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal without adding bike lanes. Your current proposal puts bike riders at risk. | |
| Brock Shamberg | 7/2/2013 3:59:36 PM |
| The Muni has an opportunity to extend access for bikers (and tourist) without any additional cost by implementing safe biking pathways. PLEASE listen and adopt the biking community input to this project--and where reasonable, other recommendations from users of our facilities. Thank you for your public service and patience to hear our public commments. | |
| Michael Price | 7/2/2013 3:49:32 PM |
| Please follow through with the Anchorage public and MOA request for bike lanes through the intersection of Raspberry Road and Minnesota Drive. They have worked well so far and there is no reason to remove them. Nation and world-wide, cities are working to make their infrastructure more amenable to bicycle transportation. This is not an incidental or frivolous thing, but a practical solution to health, air-quality and heavy vehicle traffic issues. Bicycle lanes, if well-planned, can be kept clear in the winter, but multi-purpose trays seldom are. This would forced bicycle commuters into the most dangerous of situations- narrow roads in winter conditions. If most progressive cities can manage this, certainly we can too. | |
| Michael Christy | 7/2/2013 3:39:33 PM |
| Please follow the Bike Plan for Anchorage and add bicycle lanes where Raspberry connects with Minnesota Drive. If there are no bicycle lanes it is more likely someone will be seriously injured or killed. | |
| Emmy Zartman | 7/2/2013 3:38:26 PM |
| As a bicycle commuter of many years and in many cities around the world I have found that the safest way for bicycles to travel along city roadways is in marked bike lanes on the vehicle roadway surface and NOT on bike paths/sidewalks alongside roadways. Bikes are most visible when they are on the same level, traveling in the SAME direction, as other veichles. Car drivers are not always looking for fast-moving vehicles on sidewalks near intersections, but they are looking for other vehicles moving in traffic lanes. Please ensure the safety of bicyclists by always including marked bike lanes on the roadways instead of engineering for separate bike paths/sidewalks that go against traffic or take cyclists away from the obvious route. Bikes need to be SEEN and acknowledged as vehicles. Separate bike paths/sidewalks have their place and use, but when given the option, I will always choose to ride in a bike lane instead of an adjacent bike path to be most visible. | |
| Diana Redwood | 7/2/2013 2:52:31 PM |
| Dear Planning and Zoning Commissioner Members, Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Anchorage Bike Plan. This is important for the safety of both cyclists and motorists who use the roads for transportation. Thank you for your time and attention. | |
| Paul S Wilcox | 7/2/2013 2:48:04 PM |
| Please retain the bike lanes in the Raspberry/Minnesota project. They would be much safer than the alternative now being proposed by the DOT. | |
| Howard Morse | 7/2/2013 2:32:38 PM |
| DOT is attempting to remove the bike lanes from this already approved plan. DOT's removal of the continuous bike lane puts cyclist into a situation where they have to take a lengthy detour to safely navigate the intersection or kid's being kid's, they will dart into traffic to save transit time. Leaving the lanes in the plan provides a safe transit of the intersection for all persons. Please do not approve the plan without this vital connection. | |
| Tara Gondek | 7/2/2013 2:28:22 PM |
| Planning and Zoning commissioners please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. It is imporant to have identified bike lanes so that bicyclists can be safe. They are going to use that route regardless and it should be as safe as possible instead of blocking it off. Thank you. | |
| Erik Hilsinger | 7/2/2013 2:14:52 PM |
| Sticking to the bike plan is the safest option for all stakeholders in the Raspberry road project. Autocentric design is simply not good planning practice for a livable community nor sustainable as fuel costs and health problems from sedentary living increase together. Bike use in commuting and 're creation create road capacity for piddling outlays and is a solid conservative responsible strategy for infrastructure in the 21st century. | |
| Mark Fairbanks | 7/2/2013 2:14:04 PM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal UNLESS the plan INCLUDES bike lanes on Raspberry THROUGH the interchange. These lanes are identified in the Bike Plan and have been formally requested by our municipal planners. I ride my bike in anchorage and find that some of the most dangerous situations for bikes occur when the bike lanes end in an intersection and the bikers who are traveling a much greater speed than pedestrians are forced to share a multi-use pathway. one example is pine street where there is a great shoulder lane until the road narrows at side streets and the bike lane disappears forcing the riders into traffic or onto the sidewalk. This is especially bad near the ball fields where there is lots of side traffic coming into the street. This road was redone ~ 4 years ago and in my mind created a unnecessary hazard to bikers on an otherwise safe and pleasant street. Let’s not create a similar hazard, keep the bike lanes flowing through the intersections! | |
| Richard Ragle | 7/2/2013 2:01:31 PM |
| On behalf of the many residents who bicycle in Anchorage, I ask that you NOT approve the Draft Design Study Report for the West Dowling Road Phase III (MOA/ADOT Project No. 55148) as submitted by ADOT. ADOT is suggesting that the Anchorage Bicycle Plan be ignored. By only putting partial striped lanes in, and discontinuing them under the underpass, where they are needed. ADOT is suggesting that the 2020 Comprehensive Plan be ignored. By separating the pedestrians and bicyclists from the road they put them on multiuse trails that are not maintained during the winter. Thus making them impassible for the pedestrians and the disabled. ADOT is ignoring the Anchorage Pedestrian Plan. They discuss the movement of pedestrians to Connors Bog Dog Park. What about East/West travel of pedestrians along the Raspberry corridor? Making pedestrians use a unmaintained multiuse trail during the winter is not consistent with the plan. DOT plows snow onto the multi-use trail, then takes a significantly long time period to perform trail clearing. Multiple agencies within the Municipality of Anchorage supports maintaining bicycle lanes under Minnesota Drive along Raspberry. No comments I have seen have requested the removal. It seems that a small number of traffic engineers are undermining the public process. They are ignoring the volume of evidence that suggests that the changes that have been proposed are in fact detrimental to public safety. In my 30+ years of commuting and riding a bicycle in Anchorage I have had 1 serious incident with bike/car interactions while riding on the road. I have issues almost every ride when riding on trails separated from the roadway. The municipal Planning Department has recommended approval of the plans IF continuous bike lanes are added. I strongly support the municipality’s position on this specific item and the municipality’s positions as stated in the 2010 Bicycle Plan. | |
| alton spurgeon | 7/2/2013 2:00:39 PM |
| Please do not approve the DOT plan to do away with the bike route through the raspberry minnesota inter change. If anything please improve the bike route to add safety for the bicyclist. My entire family rides this route and my son goes back and forth to the dome for soccer Thank you very much for your consideration Alton Spurgeon | |
| Karol Fink | 7/2/2013 1:58:58 PM |
| Dear Planning and Zoning commissioners: Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Please respect all the planning and public's time that has gone into developing and approving the bike plan. Please choose the safest route for all users, which is a design that accommodates bicyclist too. | |
| ed sugai | 7/2/2013 1:51:35 PM |
| please remember the bicyclist's needs on raspberry road. | |
| Mark Fairbanks | 7/2/2013 1:50:59 PM |
| Please DO NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal UNLESS the plan includes bike lanes on Raspberry THROUGH the interchange. These lanes are identified in the Bike Plan and have been formally requested by our municipal planners. I ride my bike in anchorage and find that some of the most dangerous situations for bikes occur when the bike lanes end in an intersection and the bikers who are traveling a much greater speed than pedestrians are forced to share a multi-use pathway. one example is pine street where there is a great bike lane until the road narrows at side streets and the bike lane disappears forcing the riders into traffic or onto the sidewalk. This is especially bad near the ball fields where there is lots of side traffic coming into the street. This road was redone ~ 4 years ago and in my mind created a unnecessary hazard to bikers on an otherwise safe and pleasant street. Let's not create a similar hazard, keep the bike lanes flowing through the intersections! | |
| Carl Wassilie | 7/2/2013 1:45:46 PM |
| Commissioners. Do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. Sincerely, Carl Wassilie | |
| Jason Burkhead | 7/2/2013 1:45:30 PM |
| Planning and Zoning commissioners, please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless bike lanes are added on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan AND formally requested by our municipal planners. DOT's current plan will make the intersection less safe for cyclists, and likely less safe for pedestrians and motorists. The DOT plan is shortsighted and apparently aims to intimidate bicyclists into using a circuitous alternative route. Anchorage is a city that scores well for bicycle infrastructure, which is a hallmark of vibrant cities with sustainable economies (such as Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, MN) where people want to live. This change in direction would indicate that Anchorage is not concerned with quality of life and is less desirable to families than other American cities. | |
| Summer Sauve | 7/2/2013 1:43:38 PM |
| Please provide bike lanes thru this intersection. Being able to bike this route is important to me. Thank you. | |
| Shena Marcil | 7/2/2013 1:36:40 PM |
| I have a slightly different view than the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage. My husband was hit by a motorist on his bike several years ago and had had near misses each season as he bikes year round. Personally, I want to be as far away from drivers as possible. I like a trail where cyclists aren't near motorists busy eating, drinking, talking on their cell phone, and generally not paying attention. Either way, there is a strong community of people who bike year round, there should be reasonable bike commuting options. This is the trail I take to bike to my parents house, please protect it and the the other riders in our community creating one less car on the road. | |
| William Tyrell | 7/2/2013 1:26:43 PM |
| Please do not end a bike lane suddenly and leave cyclists suddenly less safe or routed to a cicuitous sidewalk. Please try to design roads to make them safer for how some people will actually use them even if directed to use them differently. | |
| Karen Lakey | 7/2/2013 1:24:10 PM |
| Planning and Zoning, Please do NOT approve the Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal without bike lanes in this interchange. Bike Lanes are detailed in the Bicycle Plan and should be part of this redesign. Raspberry Road is a significant part of bicycle thoroughfare coming out of Kincaid Park and being a main east west route. Leaving bike lanes out of this redesign is dangerous and negligent when a Bicycle Plan has already been developed. Thank you for your attention. Karen Lakey | |
| John Edge | 7/2/2013 1:20:32 PM |
| In regard to the exclusion of bike lanes in the plan for the Raspberry Rd/Minnesota interchange I find this to be lacking in respect for the bicycling community and the community at large. No new significant road construction should ignore a growing mode of transportation in Anchorage. I commute almost daily in the summer and have learned to love the marked bike lanes that are available in town and find them to be far safer than traveling on sidewalks and paved paths that pose a higher risk of car/bike collision where they intersect streets and driveways. It may be a tougher nut to crack but putting marked bike lanes into this plan will be worth the effort. | |
| Mike Morganson | 7/2/2013 1:11:31 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal. Anchorage has spoken clearly for bikes to be included in all infrastructure. Each new road construction project needs to have bike lanes...not having bike lanes is unacceptable and does not meet the requirements of the Anchorage Bike Plan. Thanks for your consideration. | |
| Jim Durand | 7/2/2013 1:04:26 PM |
| Regarding changes to the approved bicycle plan for Raspberry near Minnesota, having commuted to work by bike for more than a couple decades, and have over 6 decades of experience in how people operate, trying to close an efficient route to bicycles will not work, especially if what is being closed is seen as a heritage ROW. Car drivers just go further if you re-route them and they are more easily corralled. Bikers know that except for expressways, they have the same rights as motor traffic. We all know what it's like to take guns away if you infringe on rights. Do you want dead cyclists? | |
| Laura Kotelman | 7/2/2013 12:58:38 PM |
| Please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal. Anchorage has spoken clearly for bikes to be included in all infrastructure. This is demonstrated again and again by the increasing numbers of bikers in Anchorage. Each development needs to have bike lanes--not having them is not an acceptable option and is not meeting the desires of the population. Follow the Anchorage Bike Plan! | |
| Tiffany Hall | 7/2/2013 12:53:54 PM |
| Planning and Zoning commissioners, please do NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in the Bike Plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. This will make things LESS safe for bikers, not more safe. We pay taxes too! Please don't go back on the plan. Thank you for your consideration and for all you do. | |
| Lisa Cook | 7/2/2013 12:51:56 PM |
| What the DOT is planning -- the elimination of marked bike lanes at Raspberry and Minnesota -- will be seriously problematic to an important, well-marked bicycle route, leaving bicyclists and motorists to fend for themselves. Not an acceptable plan, people....not an acceptable plan at all. Do you know HOW MANY cyclists use that route?! LOADS. And you'd put your community members -- maybe your friends, or children of your friends -- at such a risk?? That's NOT the Anchorage I know and love.... | |
| Carole Holley | 7/2/2013 12:50:53 PM |
| I am a bike commuter and concerned about DOT's current proposal, which excludes bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange as identified in Anchorage's bike plan and formally requested by our municipal planners. I ask you to NOT approve the DOT’s Raspberry Road/Minnesota Drive proposal unless they add bike lanes on Raspberry through the interchange. Thank you. | |
| Wesley Oistad | 7/2/2013 12:50:01 PM |
| Please include bike lanes with the new Raspberry construction! Bike lanes are absolutely necessary in order to create a usable and safe route for all commuters. INCLUDE BIKE LANES! | |
| Todd Logan | 6/28/2013 11:41:39 AM |
| On behalf of the many thousands of residents who bicycle in Anchorage, I ask that you NOT approve the Draft Design Study Report for the West Dowling Road Phase III (MOA/ADOT Project No. 55148) as submitted by ADOT. This project involves a proposed rework of Raspberry/Dowling road connector where it passes under and connects to Minnesota Drive. This proposed roadway redesign is fatally flawed in that it does not include striped and signed bike lanes, and thus fails to conform to Anchorage Bicycle Plan unanimously approved by the Anchorage Assembly in 2010. The Bike Plan correctly identifies the recently connected Dowling and Raspberry Roads to be an important east-west core bicycle route. Consistent with the plan, bike lanes have been established both east and west of their connection with Minnesota Drive. We understand that DOT engineers argue that no on-street bicycle infrastructure can make this intersection safe for both motorists and cyclists, and thus propose to discourage cycling by failing to provide marked bike lanes despite having plenty of paved road surface to do so. We fundamentally disagree that bike lanes cannot be incorporated into the roadway that are consistent with both municipal and state road design standards and that will improve safety. What DOT is proposing is the least safe of all approaches – simply terminate the existing bike lanes as they approach this intersection and let cyclists and motorists try to sort it out for themselves. The notion that cyclists should abandon the roadway at this intersection in favor of a circuitous multi-use path is also both unreasonable and inappropriate. The municipal Planning Department has recommended approval of the plans IF continuous bike lanes are added. We strongly support the municipality’s position. | |