New route proposed for Towpath Trail through New Philadelphia eliminates areas of concern
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is proposed a new route for the Towpath Trail through New Philadelphia, eliminating areas of concern such as crossing West High Avenue at Five Points.
Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, conducted a public hearing Monday in council chambers for residents living in the area of the proposed route.
More on the route: A challenging task: Towpath Trail route draws opposition in New Philadelphia
The new route would go from Waterworks Park along the Tuscarawas River up to Front Avenue. It would cross the R.J. Corman rail line at Front and continue on to 10th Street. The trail would go north on 10th Street to Miller Avenue. To get trail users across West High Avenue, the coalition is recommending the installation of an actuated pedestrian signal and a crosswalk, similar to the ones currently on Broadway in downtown New Philadelphia and on Wabash Avenue at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium.
Crossing West High Avenue
"We feel really strongly that we don't want people trying to get across West High dodging cars," Rice said.
Ryan Smalley of The Envision Group of Cleveland, which helped develop the route, said the lights on the pedestrian signs would only flash when someone pushes the button. Studies have shown that lights that only flash when activated are more effective than lights that flash constantly, because motorist become acclimated to them and are less likely to pay attention.
The trail would go east on Miller Avenue and turn north onto Union Avenue and then go into Dover.
Testing the route
On the recommendation of Mayor Joel Day, Service Director Ron McAbier and Safety Director Greg Popham, the Canalway coalition wants to test the route first.
"The advantage of testing an idea is that way you don't invest all that money upfront. You test it light, quick and inexpensive. See how it's utilized and watch how it's utilized, and then you can learn from that," Rice said.
He recommended testing the route for one or two years before making a final decision.
Sharrows (white pavement markings showing a bicycle symbol with two chevrons on top) would be painted on 10th Street and Miller Avenue to mark the route, along with temporary signs. Because those streets are narrow, painted bike lanes would be impractical.
Five-foot-wide painted bike lanes would be installed on Union Avenue, which is much wider.
Opposition to the proposal
Dave Johnson, a former mayor who lives on Union Avenue, spoke against the proposed route.
"You want to bring more people and disrupt the majority of the people for a few," he said. "That's not the way America was built. Most of these people here are from Union Avenue, and they're going to tell you, they don't want it."
He asked why Wabash Avenue and Fourth Street, both of which are four-lane highways, were not considered for the trail.
Rice said Wabash was not considered because of the speed limit on the highway. Smalley added that Tuscarawas Avenue was not considered because it has an active rail crossing, it's narrower than Union Avenue and has more traffic.
'It's the safest road'
John Kelly of New Philadelphia said he has ridden his bicycle on Union Avenue hundreds of times.
"Union Avenue's always been my favorite road to ride on in New Philadelphia," he said. "It's the safest road. It's so wide. There isn't as much traffic as Tuscarawas and Wabash and Broadway. There aren't that many cars that park on it. I've been there early in the morning, and late at night and through the middle of the afternoon."
No final decision has made on the Towpath Trail route.
The trail, when completed, will connect New Philadelphia to Cleveland. About 90 miles of the trail have already been completed. It currently goes as far south as Zoarville. Dover officials are also developing a route for the trail through their city.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New route proposed for Towpath Trail through New Philadelphia
