River Trail FAIL!

[dbacks fan]

Us talking about this trail makes me wonder where the purveyor of cooked cabbage has been hiding for the last month....

He is either out shucking corn for harvest, or upset at the swipes taken at him.

[TheTed]

When they redo the section between 48th and 58th on the east side of the river, it'd be awfully nice if they'd figure out a way to keep it open. Something like what they do on interstates when they're reconstructed and traffic is all pushed onto one side.

Or they could always just carve out a lane on Riverside with jersey barriers and direct runners/bikers over there. But that doesn't seem likely here. Maybe Portland or something.

[cynical]

When the new entrance for the River Spirit Casino was built they did create a bypass lane for cyclists and runners.  They didn't use Jersey barriers, only the ubiquitous orange barrels and yellow tape.  Perhaps they'll do the same if they ever do the section under I-44.  There is a significant difference in traffic load between 51st and 81st to 91st, though. 

Did you see the article in this morning's Tulsa World about new bicycle legislation?  I had no idea there was already a 3-foot rule in Oklahoma.  You wouldn't know it from experience.

When they redo the section between 48th and 58th on the east side of the river, it'd be awfully nice if they'd figure out a way to keep it open. Something like what they do on interstates when they're reconstructed and traffic is all pushed onto one side.

Or they could always just carve out a lane on Riverside with jersey barriers and direct runners/bikers over there. But that doesn't seem likely here. Maybe Portland or something.

[SXSW]

When the new entrance for the River Spirit Casino was built they did create a bypass lane for cyclists and runners.  They didn't use Jersey barriers, only the ubiquitous orange barrels and yellow tape.  Perhaps they'll do the same if they ever do the section under I-44.  There is a significant difference in traffic load between 51st and 81st to 91st, though. 

Did you see the article in this morning's Tulsa World about new bicycle legislation?  I had no idea there was already a 3-foot rule in Oklahoma.  You wouldn't know it from experience.

I'm pretty sure it's funded and planned and will be dual trail.  It should start as soon as they are all finished with I-44 at Riverside; no idea when they expect to be completely finished though.  They will have to build a new bridge for the trails just south of I-44, that current wooden bridge is too narrow.

[Ihearttacos]

WB Trail I-44 to Turkey Mountain *Lights* - Yes, there will be lights! Sadly, installation coordination with PSO of these lights is not moving very quickly. 

WB Trail from Ped Bridge to Festival Park - This portion of trail has been bid as of June 2010 and expect construction to be complete summer 2011.   

Creek Casino Trail - This portion of trail has been designed to go behind the casino and events buildings avoiding traffic entering and exiting the casino. Possible future construction on the property creates questions for the trail alignment.  Waiting for the go ahead from the casino side. 

General notes:
not all areas will have dual trails 
not all trails can remain open during construction or have the budget built for a temporary trail-efforts to leave trails open or create detours are done when feasible (current example on WB south side of the 21st street bridge near the skate park)

[charky]

WB Trail I-44 to Turkey Mountain *Lights* - Yes, there will be lights! Sadly, installation coordination with PSO of these lights is not moving very quickly. 

WB Trail from Ped Bridge to Festival Park - This portion of trail has been bid as of June 2010 and expect construction to be complete summer 2011.   

Creek Casino Trail - This portion of trail has been designed to go behind the casino and events buildings avoiding traffic entering and exiting the casino. Possible future construction on the property creates questions for the trail alignment.  Waiting for the go ahead from the casino side. 

General notes:
not all areas will have dual trails 
not all trails can remain open during construction or have the budget built for a temporary trail-efforts to leave trails open or create detours are done when feasible (current example on WB south side of the 21st street bridge near the skate park)

Good stuff!

I was unaware of the Festival Park trail construction on my latest run. Had planned a 6.5 mile loop (going back across the Pedestrian Bridge)...but it turned into 8.5 mile out and back. The wood bridge just south of Festival Park had been dismantled.

[SXSW]

WB Trail I-44 to Turkey Mountain *Lights* - Yes, there will be lights! Sadly, installation coordination with PSO of these lights is not moving very quickly. 

WB Trail from Ped Bridge to Festival Park - This portion of trail has been bid as of June 2010 and expect construction to be complete summer 2011.   

Creek Casino Trail - This portion of trail has been designed to go behind the casino and events buildings avoiding traffic entering and exiting the casino. Possible future construction on the property creates questions for the trail alignment.  Waiting for the go ahead from the casino side. 

General notes:
not all areas will have dual trails  
not all trails can remain open during construction or have the budget built for a temporary trail-efforts to leave trails open or create detours are done when feasible (current example on WB south side of the 21st street bridge near the skate park)

The entire east bank should be dual trail from 96th to 11th, if possible.  They will have already done it that way from 71st to 11th, why not extend all the way to the Jenks bridge?  I'm okay with the less-used west bank trails being single lane though.  Lights along the west bank by Turkey Mtn. will be a nice addition.  And it will look really cool driving across the 71st and I-44 bridges at night.

[sgrizzle]

The entire east bank should be dual trail from 96th to 11th, if possible.  They will have already done it that way from 71st to 11th, why not extend all the way to the Jenks bridge? 

Everything south of 71st is not Riverparks.
http://riverparks.org/user/documents/maps/River-Parks-Map.pdf

[Conan71]

I put a post on RPA's Facebook and got whomever maintains the FB page to respond. They said they were aware of the dip I described and could someone take a picture of it and submit it. I've not had time to go back and get a pic yet. Couldn't Matt Meyer or one of his staffers take 30 minutes out of their day to do that. Or get the Rpa cop to drive the Smart Car down to investigate?  Is that asking too much out of people in a public authority?

[Ihearttacos]

I put a post on RPA's Facebook and got whomever maintains the FB page to respond. They said they were aware of the dip I described and could someone take a picture of it and submit it. I've not had time to go back and get a pic yet. Couldn't Matt Meyer or one of his staffers take 30 minutes out of their day to do that. Or get the Rpa cop to drive the Smart Car down to investigate?  Is that asking too much out of people in a public authority?

We are talking about a LARGE park to maintain.  I am sure they will or are looking into the matter it might be a matter of locating the specific portion of the trail and providing a visual for them to assess how to handle the problem.  Since part of the west bank is under construction and another portion was just finished, you could have been referring to a new portion and that might need to fall back on the contractor who did the construction.  In that case a photo to forward on would be helpful.  There are also at least two other construction projects on the east bank, their hands might be a little full with bigger picture items.  The RPA FB maintainer might also be under the impression that you are a frequent user of the trails and might be able to take a photo on your daily trail visit. 

[sgrizzle]

I put a post on RPA's Facebook and got whomever maintains the FB page to respond. They said they were aware of the dip I described and could someone take a picture of it and submit it. I've not had time to go back and get a pic yet. Couldn't Matt Meyer or one of his staffers take 30 minutes out of their day to do that. Or get the Rpa cop to drive the Smart Car down to investigate?  Is that asking too much out of people in a public authority?

It's a pretty small staff. There are several people who run that page (cough) but for instance Matt Carver, who responded to you, is their social/web/graphics guy and he only works a couple of days a week.

[waterboy]

Apologists. I run across the pedestrian several times a week and simply looked to my left as I exited to the west side path. They just stopped short of coming to the bridge.

But really Conan. Aren't all you bike guys proud of your "tough" persona? Do like I do when a biker swoops by me as I run the paths...close your eyes, hold your breath and utter a simple profanity.

[SXSW]

Everything south of 71st is not Riverparks.
http://riverparks.org/user/documents/maps/River-Parks-Map.pdf

On the east bank it is, all the way to the Creek Turnpike.  I wonder what it would take for RiverParks to be extended south of 71st on the west bank?  Or at least the trail on private property?

[sgrizzle]

On the east bank it is, all the way to the Creek Turnpike.  I wonder what it would take for RiverParks to be extended south of 71st on the west bank?  Or at least the trail on private property?

East bank south of 71st is City of Tulsa, not Riverparks.

[dbacks fan]

What about the rail line that runs from 71st and ends at Kimberly Clark? It appears that PSO no longer uses the sidings at the power plant and the only other siding is at Kimberly Clark,  the track ends at stream just south of the plant. Do they still use it?