Addison Bike-Only Lanes Finished

After a three-year wait, Nevada-Lidgerwood neighbors now have bike paths along Addison.

Bike-only lanes were painted on both sides of the street from Bridgeport to Dalke last week.

“We are elated,” said Al French, president of the Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council.

The project was originally expected to cost $18,000, paid from the neighborhoods’ community development grant. Repeated delays raised the price to $27,000. About $22,000 was funded with community development money, the rest was paid by the city.

French said the project was a priority for the neighborhood. “It’s one way of providing a safer environment for those who enjoy or need to travel by bike through the neighborhood along a clear, safe and protected route,” he said.

French said the location of the bikeways was decided by neighborhood residents and welcomed by most who live along the street. “The bikeways were well-supported by the neighborhood,” he said.

Business owners along Addison worried that the bike lanes would eliminate parking in front of their businesses. The new striping allows parking close to the curb along the more commercial sections of Addison. The road is now striped for parking, bike path, car lane, then another car lane going the opposite direction, and another bike path.

“It’s the first time this configuration has been done in the city,” said Bud Vokoun, city traffic engineer assigned to the project.

But the parking-biking layout has some residents concerned.

Terry Waldron, who lives on Addison, worries the design will increase bike and car accidents along the route he calls “Addison Speedway.”

“I have warned you and warned you of the danger of deliberately mixing bicycles and cars on an extremely busy street,” Waldron said in a letter to the City Council.

Waldron said the bike path is on the wrong street and completed during the wrong time of year.

“This was to have been done in October, when people would have plenty of time to see what is happening,” he said. “Putting it off until after the election and five minutes before we get snow and gravel and scraping… it can be repainted again in April or May.”

Sandy Smith, chairman of the bikeway project, said the bike lane could have a traffic-calming effect, slowing cars on the busy street.

“I saw that happen today. I think it will eliminate passing on the right hand side,” she said. “I think people will adjust to it.”

, DataTimes