Lawrence Loop gaps identified; downtown segment wins TA award

Staff told the board the Lawrence Loop remains a high priority in the bikes plan and that three primary gaps remain on the route. Public open houses produced preferred alternatives for each gap, and staff emphasized that the routes remain concept‑level until engineering and evaluation are complete.

Jessica reported that the downtown portion of the Loop has received a Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant, which will fund further design and construction steps for that segment. She said the preferred alternatives from engagement will be pursued into engineering and that circumstances (for example, adjacent private development or riverfront design decisions) could lead to changes in final alignment. "We now have the route we will be pursuing as we move into engineering and evaluation of the preferred route," she said.

Staff and the board discussed funding mechanisms and noted that some bikeway projects are built through standalone bicycle/pedestrian CIP funds (roughly $700,000–$800,000 annually), road reconstruction/maintenance projects, or private development contributions. The board emphasized continued public engagement as preferred alignments proceed into design.