BIKE: Crossing I-35 at +/-42nd St (Hancock Center)

[Mike Dahmus]

Dave W wrote:

>Eric wrote:
>  
>
>>>I would suggest that we will first see a barrier
>>>crossing of IH35 at +/-42nd St
>>>      
>>>
>
>Mike responded:
>  
>
>>I would suggest that this is wishful thinking.
>>
>>Likewise with 42nd St. The rail line is going to
>>cross the I-35 frontage roads AT-GRADE, meaning no
>>separation for the bike trail either; and I doubt
>>we'll see traffic lights put in for the benefit of
>>bikes here given problems with warrants. 
>>    
>>
>
>I took some liberties pasting the above quotes, so I
>hope I haven't misconstrued anyone's words.
>
>Regarding crossing I-35 near Hancock Center, what
>would be about 42nd or 43rd St, there are already two
>signals (one for each frontage road) and crossing the
>frontage roads there is relatively safe and easy.  
>
>As you might be able to see in this map:
>
>http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=muGxF.p_0ToEMafmZBo0Bc0J_Jvo3jBrZg--&csz=78722&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
>
>heading north, the bike trail could parallel the
>tracks until Wilshire Blvd, turn west on Wilshire
>(betw U-Haul & what used to be Academy), then north
>along the frontage road (there's even a sidewalk
>here).  The traffic light currently enables bikes and
>peds to cross, though I usually see jaywalkers
>crossing anywhere from Fiesta/Short Stop, up to near
>Airport Blvd.  Peds are fiendishly clever that way.
>
>The underpass leads directly into Hancock Center
>(Wendy's/Sears), and the bike trail could then turn
>north again, to meet up with the ROW.  I'm sure there
>are other nasty barriers to concern us, but this is an
>easy one, IMHO.
>
OK, and all of the above could be done today without the commuter rail 
line being built. (It's a particularly bad route you've chosen; relying 
on travel along the frontage road itself; but whatever).

When Eric talks about commuter rail enabling barrier crossings, the 
assumption is that the route uses the commuter rail ROW itself.

- MD