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Meeting Background from communityrelations.wustl.edu /ƚƒƒǒƓźƷǤ aĻĻƷźƓŭ Ʒƚ ķźƭĭǒƭƭ CƚƩĻƭƷ tğƩƉ ƦĻķĻƭƷƩźğƓ ĬƩźķŭĻ ƚƓ ağǤ Ѝ Washington University will host a community meeting for residents of the Ames Place, Parkview and Rosedale Heights neighbors who are interested in hearing about a proposal to replace the Forest Park Parkway pedestrian bridge and access ramp in the summer of 2017. Neighbors will have an opportunity to review the bridge reconstruction plan as well as provide comments about the improved ramp options. The meeting will be held on May 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6800 Washington, in the multipurpose room. Refreshments will be provided. The section of the Centennial Greenway which includes Greenway South and the pedestrian bridge over Forest Park Parkway is the mostly highly used segment in the entire Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) network. In 2014, GRG estimated that there were over 600,000 trips annually across the bridge. The current bridge and the ramp to access the bridge are 8 ½ feet wide. The minimum recommended width of a joint use pedestrian/cycling bridge is 12 feet and the recommend width is 18 feet. The bridge and ramp were designed and built by Metro as part of the MetroLink extension project from 2003-2005. After the project was completed, the bridge was deeded to Washington University. To address congestion and safety concerns, Washington University proposes the replacement of both the bridge and ramp in the summer of 2017. The new bridge will be widened to the recommended 18 feet, with designated bicycle and pedestrian lanes. In addition, two options for an improved ramp will be presented; both also include widening the ramp to accommodate pedestrians and bikes. Option one replaces the existing ramp with a new, 18 foot wide ramp designed with lanes for bicycles and pedestrians separated by a one foot high curb. This design results in a ramp approximately 20 feet longer than the existing ramp, and will be built at an identical slope with the required landings to meet code. Option two replaces the existing ramp with a new design. Pedestrians will be served with a dedicated lane that includes stairs to access the bridge. Cyclists and people with mobility challenges or pushing strollers will be provided with a designated lane which will include a new switchback section. This design results in a ramp which is also 18 feet wide but about 60 feet shorter than the existing ramp. The proposed changes to the bridge and ramp will not increase the width of the walkway along Greenway South. Questions about this project or the meeting should be sent to neighbors@wustl.edu.