35W BRIDGE DESIGN INPUT
Marcy-Holmes is bearing a large portion of the traffic burden from freeway and bridge closures in the wake of the 35W bridge collapse. The design of the new bridge will also have a substantial impact on the neighborhood. In response, MHNA posted a consensus statement on its website that outlines requests for the new bridge design and underscores the impact that rerouted traffic is having on residents.

Using the consensus statement as a guide, the board distilled its priorities to the following items: preserve the Dinkytown trench for pedestrian and bike traffic; make the new bridge light rail and mass transit compatible; keep Southeast Second Street as a residential street; maintain access to the University of Minnesota; and maintain connections from Southeast Main Street to East River Road. The board plans to present their list at the joint hearing between the House and Senate transit committees on August 22 at the Minneapolis Central Library.

35W BRIDGE UPDATE
Deputy Director of Minneapolis Public Works Heidi Hamilton and Ward 3 Council Member Diane Hofstede addressed residents’’ concerns about the proposed bridge design. ““It seems like they only care about the vehicles and don’t give a damn about the people who live in the neighborhood,“” said board member Joe Radzwill. Hamilton encouraged residents to contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) with their input. She also assured them that Public Works is in daily contact with MnDOT to ensure that Minneapolis residents are not left out of the process.
Hamilton also reported that the increased traffic has warranted a stoplight at University Avenue and Sixth Avenue Southeast, something that Marcy-Holmes residents have wanted for some time. The city now needs to come up with funding.

NEXT: Board meeting, September 18, 2007
MEETINGS: 3rd Tuesday monthly, 6 p.m. at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Avenue SE
CONTACT: 623-7633, www.marcy-holmes.org
BORDERS: Central Ave. to 15th Ave. SE, 9th St. SE to Main St. SE

last revised: September 10, 2007

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