BPAC backs $400,000 state design grant for New Design Road sidepath Phase 4

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission voted May 7 to approve a letter of support for a state design grant application that would fund Phase 4 of the New Design Road sidepath.

Laura Wiese-Lopez, Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Manager in the Division of Public Works, said the County will request $400,000 in design funds and that the grant requires a 20% local match. She said the state announces grantees in October and that the application deadline was in mid-May, making a timely letter important to the application packet.

Commissioners proposed edits to the draft letter to broaden the scope and better describe how the segment fits the countywide network. Vice Chair Elisabeth “Lib” Rood asked that the letter give more information on the whole trail rather than focusing only on Phase 4; David Meeske asked that the text link the funded segment to the countywide planned network. Member Rick Ludwick suggested the letter include hiking as an intended use and to substitute the phrasing “active transportation” for “biking” in one paragraph. Noah Fossick, the commission’s staff liaison, and Wiese-Lopez agreed to incorporate the edits.

David Meeske moved to accept the letter with the tracked edits; Rick Ludwick seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

Next steps: staff will update the draft to reflect the commission’s edits and submit the letter as part of the County’s grant application materials before the state deadline. The commission will review broader plan documents at the July meeting.