Bikers, seen during the UPAF Ride for the Arts this year on the Hoan Bridge, will not be getting a dedicated traffic lane, the state Department of Transportation has announced. Credit: Journal Sentinel file

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A proposed bike path across the Hoan Bridge has hit a dead end.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced Friday that it won't move forward with a bike and pedestrian path on the landmark span, a proposal that had aroused fierce passions among cyclists and motorists.

"The Hoan Bridge is a vital part of the Milwaukee-area freeway system," Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb said in a news release. "However, the alternatives presented in the feasibility study would impair our ability to provide safe, efficient travel and deliver less value than other possible department investments in economic development in Milwaukee."

Creating a lane for bicycles and pedestrians would have cost $9.4 million for closing off one northbound lane to traffic. Building a separate bike path above the current roadway would have cost $94.6 million, according to an analysis of alternatives prepared by the consulting firm Graef USA.

Many of those who commented to the Department of Transportation via email told the agency that the bike lane was too expensive and would have caused a traffic nightmare.

Reconstruction of the bridge is due to begin in 2013 and will cost $275 million to $350 million.

Cycling advocates said they were disappointed by the decision, which leaves a gap in a 162-mile network of cycling trails that connects Chicago with Sheboygan.

"It is unfortunate we will probably have to wait another 40 years to revisit this," said Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), who with other legislators had presented the DOT with more than 5,000 signatures backing the plan.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursick, a proponent of a bike path, agreed with the Department of Transportation decision, but held out hope that other plans could be explored in the future.

"I would love to see a bike path somehow going over that Hoan Bridge," she said. "I do not agree with losing a traffic lane to bicycles. Unfortunately the other alternatives that DOT presented probably are too expensive."

Mayor Tom Barrett said, "I am not surprised by this decision whatsoever because this is the department of roads," adding that the agency lacked a balanced approach to transportation.

Barrett also made a pitch for money to be devoted to local roads.

"People are more concerned about potholes than about expanding interstates in the state of Wisconsin," he said.

Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the decision.

"We had hundreds of people from the business community, thousands of citizens, explaining what a great idea this was for Milwaukee, how forward thinking it was for Milwaukee's future and how unsafe the current route is," he said.

Divided opinions

The pathway intended to unite the Oak Leaf Trail on either side of the bridge divided area residents, who submitted hundreds of comments to the DOT in letters and emails.

One anonymous writer captured the opponents' sentiments: "Engaging in even talking about such an absurd idea of putting bicycle traffic on the Hoan Bridge is such a waste of time and money that as a taxpayer in this city makes my blood boil over."

Stephanie Betancourt, 72, focused her objections on the state of the economy.

"In the times we are in, I don't think the money would be appropriately used," she said. "With so many people out of work and the streets in dire need of repair, I think the money could be better spent elsewhere."

Advocates for the path questioned the traffic projections used to determine that eliminating a traffic lane for the bike and pedestrian path would create severe congestion during the morning rush hour.

They also touted the economic benefits of an amenity they viewed as a tourist attraction, similar to facilities on the Golden Gate Bridge and the Cooper River Bridge in South Carolina.

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin submitted a supporting letter with signatures from 40 local business and government leaders.

"We believe that a bike and pedestrian path on the Hoan Bridge will greatly improve the accessibility of downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee's lakefront, which will benefit businesses, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike," wrote Bill Purcell, chairman, president and CEO of Robert Baird & Co.

The prevailing sentiment, however, was that the bike lane would be used by too few people to justify the cost.

Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) wrote: "Not $9, $9 million or $90 million should be spent on this project. We must build and legislate to satisfy the masses. We must balance the difference between need and want. This project meets none of the above."

In its news release announcing the decision on the bike path, the DOT also noted what it called "the most important projects regarding economic development" in the Milwaukee area.

Those projects include studying ramp modifications in the Lake Interchange, construction of Canal St. and bridge crossings to make the Menomonee Valley businesses "accessible to workers by bicycle and foot" and also "providing development space along the former Park East freeway corridor."

The agency said in its announcement that it "is in early discussions with the City of Milwaukee to investigate potential ramp modifications in the Lake Interchange. This could involve removing the I-794 eastbound exit and westbound entrance ramps that connect with Lincoln Memorial Drive. Options to enhance the Lake Interchange have been identified as a top economic development priority."

Journal Sentinel correspondent Tom Held contributed to this report.