Cyclists’ Proposal

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Cyclists’ Proposal – Addendum

#2B – 7.5′ wide at the surface of the existing path.  

#2C – Tower viewed from below.

#2D – Approach to tower.

#2E – Another approach to tower

#3 – NY side entrance to North Path.  400′ curved ramp connecting to 179th & Cabrini.

#4 – North Path ramp across Palisades Interstate Parkway (looking east).

#5 – North Path ramps connecting to the designated bike route on Hudson Terrace (looking south).  This design would reduce conflicts between cars and cyclists who must turn left to enter the GWB path against fast-moving traffic.

#6 – Overhead view of NJ side of the North Path (looking north).

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From Gatorbridge

Specifications

– 10′ to 14′ bikeable path width; 12′ to 16′ outside measurement

– 9′ high anti-suicide barrier across the main spans

– 5′ railings on entrance ramps

– 10,000 lb vehicular load (four times what is deemed adequate for cyclists)

– 90 (100) PSF (pounds per square foot)

– Straight portions in 40′ to 63′ sections, curved portions in 50′ sections

– Structure to be built of weather treated aluminum

– The path’s surface shall comprise Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (“FRP”) with the texture and appearance of concrete

Image GatorBridge.

Notes 

– The George Washington Bridge bike-ped path is very straight forward and will carry ample amount of loading per the national AASHTO specifications.  This bridge would be based on 63′ foot spaced support sections that look as if they are depicted currently.

– There are methods to further drive down the estimated cost.  We would like to utilize the existing support structures and tailor the bridge around those to present the most economical method.

– It is also conceivable that, for an order of this magnitude, it would be cost effective to set up fabrication facilities in NJ.

Examples

Cascade-Atlantis Standard Drawing

Contour Standard Drawing

Foundry Pedestrian Bridge

York College Bridge

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course

Waddell-Trail-Bridge

Cost Details

#1-2 – North Path main span w/9′ anti suicide barrier – 5800 ft * $900/foot = $5.23M

#3 – North Path curved ramp connecting 179 & Cabrini to Path – 400 ft * $1270 = $.51M

#4-6 – North Path ramps spanning PIP & Hudson Terrace – 1250 ft * $900/foot = $1.13M

Cost for aluminum structures for North Path (FOB Fort Lee) = $6.87M

Cost for South Path (estimated equal to North Path) = $6.87M

Total estimated cost for structures for North and South Path = $13.74M

Not included: installation of the necessary cantilever supports below the support cables; modifications to the towers to accommodate the second path; nor foundations for the approaches.  But without access to PA’s cost and engineering studies, those costs cannot be quantified.

AASHTO Bicycle Guidelines – 5.2.1 Width and Clearance

The minimum paved width for a two-directional shared use path is 10 ft. Typically, widths range from 10 to 14 ft, with the wider values applicable to areas with high use (300 users per hour) and/or a wider variety of user groups (pedestrians, runners, roller-bladders, etc.).

In very rare circumstances, a reduced width of 8 ft may be used where:

– Bicycle traffic is expected to be low, even on peak days or during peak hours.

– Pedestrian use is not expected to be more than occasional.

– Horizontal and vertical alignments provide frequent, well-designed passing and resting opportunities.

– The path will not be regularly subjected to maintenance vehicle loading conditions that would cause pavement edge damage.

– In addition, 8 ft may be used for a short distance due to a physical constraint such as an environmental feature, bridge abutment, utility structure, fence, and such. Warning signs should be considered at these locations.

Figure 5.2.  Minimum Width Needed to Facilitate Passing on a Shared Use Path. © 2012 by the American Association of State Highway Traffic Officers (AASHTO) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities