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411-mileBy JERRY S. SEPERCUiMB Stall Writerof Supervisors and various PAG committees for review.tA massive bikeways system that could cost as much as $4 million has been proposed for the Tucson metropolitan area.Detailed in a 163-page study, the proposal outlines a plan for 411 miles of bicycle paths — a major portion of which make use of existing streets.The three governmental entities, according to Transportation Planning Program manager Donald H. Bufkin, are-expected to forward the study , to their planning and zoning . commissions for additional review.It was prepared by the Pima Association of Governments Transportation Planning Program and was forwarded yesterday to the Tucson City Council, South Tucson Town 'Council, Pima County BoardBufkin said the' proposed bicycle paths will cost a minimum of $3 million and couid run as high as $4.33 million.tf“The funding necessary for this system poses a perplexing problem, since there are no inexpensive solutions to con-Editorialsnet proystructing bikeways and demands on most existing revenue sources are large,” Bufkin said.Several local and state funding alternatives were outlined in the proposal, includinggeneral revenue,.bonds, federal revenue sharing, bicycle taxes, registration and license fees and gasoline taxes. There also are several new federal funding programs available, the study noted.estimated cost of between $1.5million and $2.2 million, 175.1miles in the city at an estimated cost of between $1.4 million and $2.1 million and one mile in South Tucson at an estimated cost of $1,700.The report recommends that a major portion of the bikeways system make use of existing streets.The total recommended miles for the entire bikeway system is 411.8 with 235.7 miles proposed in the county, at anThe proposed bicycle routes generally service existing facilities, such as junior and senior high schools, Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, pubic libraries, shopping and employment centers and recreation areas. City and county parks and various scenic areas and tourist attractions also are included.“Both motorists and cyclists share common destinations and they both desire to reach these in the most efficient and safest manner possible,” Bufkin said.However, the report recommends the use of collector, secondary and local streets wherever possible and the avoidance of major arterials.Automobile traffic on these secondary streets, according to the report, would be dis-'AiTucson ©ailsWEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1974couragcd in favor of the bikeways system. This could be done by selective blocking of intersections, enforced low speed limits and the prohibition of on-street parking.The. recommended system is divided into a demonstration project and five implementation phases. The demonstration project makes use of a wide variety of bikeway paths and interconnects the highest priority destination points for Tucson cyclists.Within the city limits, the demonstration project would service several high priorityin Tucson areadestination points, including the University of Arizona, Randolph Park, the central business district, Tucson Community Center, Pima Community College, St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center and the El Con Shopping Center.The length of the in-city demonstration project, consisting of specially marked bike lanes and concrete-separated paths, is 20 miles. The estimated eost is $141,000.Beyond the city limits, the demonstraton project would include a 10-foot wide, elevat-ed bike path along Old Spanish Trail for a distance of about six miles/ It would cost another $120,000.Bufkin said the demonstration project, which is recommended, for immedite implementation, would allow planners to monitor and evaluatevarious bikeway proposals.■The location of the five recommended phases would be based on public demand, the necessity to interconnect bikeways, publicly identified priority destination points and construction. in conjunctionwith ongoing or planned improvements.“The Tucson region, just like the rest of the nation, has recently... experienced a' tremendous increase in the ownership and use of bicycles. Without regional guidelines, bikeway development could occur in the future on a fragmented and uncoordinated basis,” Bufkin said.The proposed system is geared around three basic goals: To increase safety, for bicyclists in and round Tucson, to increase convenience for Tucson region bicyclists, and to devclope a regionalbikeways system.• • iClassifiedPAGE 33
Newspaper Details
Tucson Daily Citizen
Tucson, Arizona, US
Wed, May 15, 1974
Page 46
Full Page
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University O.
AZ, USA 12 Jan 2021
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