Concept Plans

Carlisle/Wortman Associates (CWA) and Stantec, Inc. conducted an analysis of potential bike and pedestrian routes from Watkins Lake State Park to the Village of Brooklyn. As part of the planning process, CWA and Stantec developed a matrix to provide an objective scoring system for all of the routes considered. The matrix evaluated a number of factors, including slopes, road speeds, easement requirements, and natural features to compare three primary routes (see Map 2 and Map 3). A fourth route utilizing the rail easement was quickly eliminated due to land access concerns and likely private property conflicts.

The team considered two primary forms of alignments, on-road and off-road. Off-road paths are 8 to 10 feet in width and are separated from the road, providing a safer and more pleasant travel experience. They frequently require easements, a fairly significant amount of space, and can be expensive to implement. On-road paths take the form of marked bike lanes on the side of a paved road, or signed bike routes along scenic roads. Traffic volume, high speeds, and physical limitations make expanding the shoulders of paved roads in the area difficult and expensive.

Ultimately, a hybrid of off-road and on-road facilities was determined to be the best suited option for the region (see Map 1). The preferred routes would require easements from a limited number of property owners for the off-road segments, and would take advantage of scenic gravel roads with relatively low traffic volumes to connect cyclists to Brooklyn. Simple trail markers or wayfinding signs would be installed at periodic intervals along the roads to identify the route. Short sections of off-road facilities may also be required on Hardcastle and Antcliff to ensure that cyclists are offered some protection on the higher-speed paved roads.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Maps