Following up on a recent post here: The Champaign City Council approved the Bradley bridge project last night. Older News-Gazette coverage of the local dispute over whether to do the Kirby bridge or the Bradley bridge first here. From today's News-Gazette:
Green light for bridge project
The Champaign City Council has approved replacing the Bradley Avenue bridge across Interstate 57 to make it safer for travelers, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will replace the bridge as well as renovate its approaches and improve the surrounding area. The project, which will cost the city $619,395 received unanimous council approval and two resident statements of support Tuesday night.
Construction is slated to begin in 2019, when the two lane bridge will turn 56 years old. Two 11-foot traffic lanes will be created, according to a city staff report, in addition to a 6-foot bike lane and 6-foot sidewalk on each side...
In the past couple of years, some neighborhood groups have urged the city council to negotiate with IDOT to prioritize or move up Kirby bridge renovations — slated for 2023.
But Sokolowski said IDOT won’t budge after evaluating both bridges and determining that the Bradley work is more urgent.
In the meantime, the city lowered the Kirby Avenue bridge speed limit to 35 miles per hour and added flashing lights for pedestrians and cyclists.
Meeting Notes:
The City Council Meeting itself (agenda here) was fairly brief (~15minutes) even with a few minute delay as the Township meeting finished up closer to 7:05pm. The City Council members are the same as the Township Board so it began immediately afterward.
The City Manager introduced Kelly Foster as a new Champaign Police Department Administrative Assistant who will be working for the Chief's office.
Previous minutes were approved. There was no correspondence and no public hearings. All four Council Bills passed 8-0 with a roll call. The Bradly bridge bills (027 and 028) were the only ones that received public comment, but no council comment.
Jim Simmons spoke in support of the bills. He explained the overpass was dangerous to pedestrian and bike traffic, but also vehicular traffic. It needs repair and expansion sooner rather than later. A suggestion that this summer would be nice got a chuckle.
Tim Speelong(?) argued that the Bradley bridge renovations were more badly needed than the Kirby bridge. He had an anecdote about his 12 year old fearing having to go back over the bridge to get home and the realization that the only other path home would go over an equally unsafe bridge further away.
During Audience Participation for general issues a supporter of the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) strike and attempted to dispel a half-truth about a restriction on new programs. He noted that the context was to ensure that changes didn't undo contracts and other protections for student employees. He pointed out that his tuition waiver is protected, but it wouldn't be for new students. He's doing this not for himself but for them. This is to support the community and those who come next.
There were no additional Council or City Manager comments. Vouchers and payroll both passed with a voice vote (all yays, no nays).
They adjourned at 7:21pm.
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