It would be a shame if city leaders mothball a planned pedestrian bridge across Elm Creek.
The bridge would serve as an important link to the expansive Lehigh Portland Trails system to the south of town.
That’s the fun part.
But perhaps more importantly, the bridge would provide a safe route for those who walk or bike to their jobs at Gates Manufacturing. As the county’s largest employer, Gates deserves the bridge.
It all seemed possible only a few weeks ago when the city announced Thrive Allen County had helped it secure three grants totaling $269,000. The largest was for $197,000 from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
But then came the news that the cost of installing the bridge by use of a crane had somehow been omitted in determining the project’s total cost. Oops.
So now, the project is some $80,000 shy of what is needed.
GATES Manufacturing currently has more than 500 employees. Two years ago it was on the brink of a major expansion when the drop in oil prices forced it to halt such plans. Today, Gates is said to be giving those plans to expand by 80,000 square feet and hire an additional 80 employees a second look.
As a large-scale employer, Gates has its fair share of employees who lack reliable transportation to get to and from work other than their own two legs. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s the new thing.
But, it’s not the safe thing to do when it involves crossing the narrow State Street Bridge at the south entrance to town. Come shift time, the bridge is a solid stream of traffic. At night, that danger magnifies.
Giving these employees a safer route to work is in everyone’s best interest.
THE TOURISM aspect of the bridge is also not to be overlooked. More and more, Allen County is becoming known for its walking and biking trails. This is something we need to foster.
Unique in its purpose and design, the bridge would provide easier access to the trails that loop around Elks Lake and beyond.
Its location on South Washington Avenue also would bring more attention to the new disc golf course at street’s end as well as the bucolic park on the south side of the creek.
By keeping the project’s overall value in mind, city leaders hopefully will not let the miscalculation, while egregious, prevent them from going forward with the pedestrian bridge.
One step at a time — with the direction set to the future.
— Susan Lynn
