HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-01-MCBIC-min.pdf MEMORANDUM
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'. February 1. 1988
To: Board of Selectmen and Bikeway Committee
From: Jack Eddison
Subj: Bikeway Committee Meeting of 1/28/88
A meeting of the Minuteman Bikeway Implementation Committee was
held on January 28, 1988. in the Selectmen s Meeting Room, for a review of
the latest version of the design plans for the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway.
-A second purpose of the meeting was to consider the possibilities of
- enhancing the appearance of the Bikeway through modest investments in art
and artistic design. The committee was assisted in this second objective by a
slide presentation given by .John Chandler of Urban Arts Inc., who is an art
consultant to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).
In attendance at the meeting were six members of the Lexington
Bikeway Committee as well as representatives from the Design Advisory
Committee. the Arts Councils of Lexington and Arlington and the Bikeway
Committees of Arlington and Bedford. Also attending were abettors and
prospective users of the facility. The substantive points raised in the
meeting are summarized below.
Adding an artistic dimension. There was considerable enthusiasm for
the concept of introducing art into the design of the Bikeway, provided that
it did not result in a substantial increase in costs. Mr Chandler pointed out
that a number of state agencies were following the practice of earmarking
I % of project construction funds for artistic purposes. It was argued that art
does not have to be expensive. especially if the available funds are used to
hire artists at $25 per hour to provide designs which can be replicated in
signs, fences, gates, bollards, etc. at relatively low cost.
There was a sense that it would be desirable to associate the Arts
Councils of the three towns with the project and to get artists actively
involved immediately. One participant suggested that the design engineers
should incorporate art into the designs from the beginning as part of the
contract. Another pointed out that the art work should be relatively
indestructible and should be designed to require little maintenance cost to
the town. A representative of the Arts Council urged that, in incorporating
art into the design, the consultants should stay with natural types of colors
and materials, keep form appropriate to function and stick to simple pictures
and designs.
It was urged by several participants (including the chairman) that the
proposed design plans incorporate the logo used by the MAPC in its Bikeway
Study of March 1981. That logo has been reproduced above and will be
shown in several sizes on attachments being sent to the DEM and the design
consultants.
The Bikeway surface. There continued to be agreement that for safety
purposes the width of the pavement should be 12 feet. A question arose as
to whether the blacktop surface would be crowned or pitched to achieve
adequate drainage.
A number of questions were raised regarding the proposed width
and composition of the shoulders. It was unclear what was meant by
"gravel shoulders. To some, this implied loose stones or pebbles which
could be a hazard to cyclists riding at high speed. Others queried the need
for a 3 or 4 foot shoulder while suggesting that joggers need only a narrow
path parallel to the blacktop. One proposal was to construct the shoulders of
a mix of crushed rock and loam. It was recommended that advantage be
taken of the experience of other bikeways ( e.g. by consulting the Seattle
Engineering Department on what has worked best on the Burke-Gilman
Trails) in determining what the composition of the shoulders should be.
Intersections. A number of views were expressed on the design and
safety of intersections between the Bikeway and town roads. Again it was
stated that we should learn from the experience of other bikeways. The
Committee would like to see designs for the Hartwell Ave. intersection which
show both a signalized crossing and an unsignalized one with an island in the
middle of the avenue. There was some concern over rumble strips which, if
improperly designed. could catch a narrow cycle tire and throw the rider.
There was also a warning over the possible use of plastic paint on the
pavement approaching intersections. The plastic can be very slippery when
wet.
Signage. Closely related to the subject of intersections is that of
appropriate signage. It was proposed that signs along the Bikeway show the
name of each street being intersected as well as indicating the direction of
and the distance from major points of interest e.g. Lexington Center. the
Battle Green, the Great Meadow). There should be STOP signs at major
intersections and appropriate signs to slow or caution both road and bike
traffic at all other intersections. It would be desirable to incorporate the
Bikeway logo into all signs including those placed on the highways to alert
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drivers to the proximity of the Bikeway. Historic plaques or markers at
appropriate locations would also add to the interest of the facility.
Access. Several of the participants expressed approval of the
continued use of large boulders to prevent access to the Bikeway by four
wheel vehicles where such permanent obstructions do not raise a problem
for public safety or maintenance vehicles. Particular attention was called to
the 'informal:, access at the former Adams (now Waldorf) School where the
East Lexington Branch Library is located. It was suggested that this access
should be formalized.
Fencing and screening. A number of abuttors continue to feel strongly
about the need for fencing for security purposes. Others are concerned
about the visual image that very close abuttors will have of the Bikeway.
especially near the Maple St. bridge. The Committee looks forward to
receiving from the consultants the proposed draft policy statement on
standards for fencing and screening. Suggestions were offered on how to
make chain link fence appear less obtrusive through the use of colored vinyl
coatings.
There was strong support for enhancing the appearance of the right of
way through appropriate screening, but such screening should not be
permitted to obscure clear lines of sight at or near intersections. In East
Lexington. there is a need for screening out the backs of commercial
buildings which abut the right of way. In using plant materials for
screening, an effort should be made to avoid hard straight lines, to plant in
softly delineated groupings and to use deciduous trees and shrubs as well as
evergreens.
Drainage. The increase in impervious surface over the length of the
right of way could result in new drainage problems and back-ups of surface
water after heavy rains. Has this possibility been taken into account in the
design plans?
Conservation concerns. Please see the attached memorandum from
Conservation Administrator Charles Wyman