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scale projects do not warrant the grant funds. He felt that <br />by including a pedestrian crossing bridge as part of the trail <br />improvements, ISTEA could be well worth the effort. <br />Remerowski suggested the City explore the possibility of an <br />ISTEA grant for funding for a pedestrian bridge over 35E at <br />Demont Avenue. Sanders concurred, stating a bridge at this <br />area would connect both a highly populated residential area <br />and the school area. Ables felt if the commission made a firm <br />decision as to where the trails will be added or completed, it <br />would add credence to the request for a pedestrian bridge and <br />make the possibility of the bridge more plausible. <br />Remerowski stated that most trails are on City streets, and <br />that the root of the problem seems to be where to put trails <br />on the northern end of the City. He felt the section from <br />Payne Avenue to Edgerton and from Edgerton west to Desoto and <br />down Desoto to Pioneer Park should not be part of the trail <br />system. He felt sitting on a piece of property or condemning <br />a piece of property to complete a trail system is something he <br />could not visualize. He suggested abandoning those trail <br />links, and encouraging residents to use the streets we have as <br />part of the trail system. He stated he could potentially see <br />the trail system taking 20 to 50 years to complete because of <br />the way things happen, and he foresaw property condemnation as <br />the only means to complete this trail system. Remerowski did <br />not agree with condemnation as being a viable solution to <br />completion of a trail. Rather, he suggested abandoning those <br />links that are unavailable at this time, and not focusing on <br />them for completion of a trail because the commission could be <br />sitting on them a long, long time before the land becomes <br />available. He suggested we turn to another direction, and if, <br />in the future, property becomes available which would enhance <br />a trail linkage, the commission should act upon the land <br />availability at that time. <br />Sanders stated this approach would be to use Payne Avenue and <br />Labore Road as an alternate route, and identify it as such. <br />Johnson agreed, stating using Payne to Labore is an adequate <br />solution. <br />Remerowski pointed out safety concerns with the proposed <br />crossing of Edgerton north of Allen under the current plan. <br />He felt a tunnel is a harbor for problems, and a bridge would <br />be too expensive. Remerowski suggested if roads are redone, <br />widening them to accommodate a walkway /bikeway should be <br />considered. The City Administrator pointed out that Arcade <br />Street is scheduled to be done in 1997. Sanders mentioned <br />that Arcade is a new addition to the trail plan, and would <br />help to form another walkable loop. <br />Remerowski made the point that trails are expensive, and felt <br />the public would be better served by using money to complete <br />or add to what already exists, rather than buying up land, <br />sitting on it and hoping a trail system would be completed at <br />some point in the future. He also mentioned the opposition of <br />this trail from residents in the area, the unsafe conditions a <br />tunnel would create, and the expense a bridge would create. <br />5 <br />Page 88 <br />