FIRST REPORT: Future of Liberty Twp. suburbia: Pedestrian walkways
Trustee Tom Farrell said he’ll have to see the results of the study to make a final decision, but at this point he is leaning toward a pedestrian-only bridge.
“My preference is a pedestrian bridge only because I want to focus on the pedestrian walkability in the township,” he said. “I believe the best way to move people in the suburb of the future is through pedestrian bridges and whenever you put a highway or a road close to the pedestrians you don’t have the same safety factor and functionality.”
Trustee Steve Schramm favors a bridge for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic because, he said it would ease congested traffic and connect the township’s business cores, which could spur more commercial development. Plus, he said, outside funding is available for such a structure.
“There’s state, county, other money available for road projects versus a pedestrian bridge, which would be us digging in our wallets or asking businesses to fund it,” Schramm said.
Trustee Christine Matacic said she needs more information before deciding which route the township should take. But because Cincinnati Dayton Road is land locked, other north-south routes for traffic to travel needs to be considered as the township grows.
“Having another alternative to get over (Ohio) 129 vehicular-wise might not be a bad idea,” she said. “I don’t want to inhibit our ability to not have that at this point.”
The trustees have maintained that creating a pedestrian-friendly community is not merely an amenity.
“According to all of the experts, in order to have a sustainable urban design, with walkability for health, environment and economic benefits, the experts in zoning are saying that the suburb of the future, in order to be sustainable, must have these features,” Liberty Twp. Trustee Tom Farrell previously said. “They must have these features because not only do the Baby Boomers want them but the Millenials and everyone in between.”
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