Bridgeport plans 10-foot sidewalks, bike lanes in downtown renovation

BRIDGEPORT – The city took another step closer toward renovation of the business corridor as part of the SR-173 Revitalization Plan. City Clerk/Treasurer Judy Brown and Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem met with city engineer Gray & Osborne to arrive at a cost number for the downtown sidewalk project.

“They are going to get us a realistic number for our project cutoff for Chelan-Douglas Transportation federal dollars that arrive in February,” said Dezellem.

The federal funds require a 12.5 percent match, and the best funding option appears to be the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). Gray & Osborne completes and submits the city’s TIB applications.

“TIB has a funding program just for federal match money,” said Dezellem. “There are some pedestrian safety and bicycle safety dollars through WSDOT, so I think we are going to end up with two small bike lanes down each side and we can put an application in for those dollars.”

The design plan calls for wider sidewalks.

“The committee was wanting a 12-foot sidewalk down both sides and we are going to limit it to 10 feet,” said Dezellem. “Then we can create a zone on the center of the road to put snow when we plow and still have enough for the bike lane.”

Most of the city sidewalks are now six feet wide with a couple of spots, like in front of city hall, where they are eight feet wide.

“They will be able to put their tables out there like the concept shows (see photo).” Dezellem said.

Other improvements include:

• Pedestrian flashing crosswalk lights.
• Drip irrigation system for planter boxes
• Different lighting on both sides of the street.
• Bike lanes 

The Revitalization Committee consulted the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) for design schematics of various sidewalk zones. One that appealed to the committee features four zones:

1. Frontage Zone – Closest to the building that serves as an extension of the business.
2. Pedestrian Through Zone – A space allowing people to walk abreast and push strollers.
3. Street Furniture Curb Zone – For lights, benches, bike racks, and tree pits.
4. Enhancement/Buffer Zone – Immediately next to the street for bike lanes, stormwater management, and curb extensions.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media