This topic has been discussed before, "South Waterfront February 2006 planning workshop" (2/3/2006) and "Duncan brings home the bacon" (2/26/2009).

The new Henley Bridge will have bike lanes if I understand correctly.

I have been saying since work on the south waterfront plan began that this bridge should connect on the north side at the end of Volunteer Landing, just across from Second Creek Greenway. Then folks have a direct walk to downtown via Second Creek or to the waterfront.

Every time I bring this up City officials act like they're deaf. There was apparently an agreement made with UT about this at some time or other and UT wants it at Lake Loudoun Blvd. My guess is that UT thinks there will be huge parking lots on the south side (something that would NOT be in keeping with the south waterfront plan, BTW) and people can walk across the river directly to Thompson Boling.

But that's all conjecture.

Where are we on the south waterfront plan? Seems like a great idea with huge potential to redirect sprawl and create some very cool things downtown. However its also just "outside the box" enough that all the sprawl promoters are comfortable assuming its never going to happen. Are they right?

The fact that one major south waterfront project is now in foreclosure probably has all the sprawlers going "see, told ya", which of course they don't say about the many suburban fringe projects in the same pickle.

The big question nobody's bothered to ask is -- will students get out of their cars and use this bridge? The northern terminus is pretty far from most classrooms. There are a lot of students at River Towne - has anyone botherd to survey them? I highly doubt students living on Cherokee Tail will use the bridge.

Game day pork is what you're seeing.

I highly doubt students living on Cherokee Tail will use the bridge

Hadn't thought about the proximity to all that new student housing up there. But as you note, they aren't likely the types to park their cars and walk or ride a bike. And even if they did, it would be pretty dangerous on Cherokee Trail.

Interesting phrase. So you substitute vertical sprawl for horizontal sprawl. But residents will still get in a car to go to the grocery store or a lot of basic services.

Just a few comments -
When the SW Vision Plan was being drafted, a lot of discussion went into the idea of connecting the SW to the UT campus. One alternative was to use the Norfolk Southern RR brideg to connect to Volunteer Landing, thus connecting to World's Fair Park via the 2nd Creek Greenway. This alternative was dropped by public preference because it did not connect directly into the heart of the campus. There has been no deal struck with UT officials - they stayed out of the Vision Plan process. I belive the bridge should be viewed as yet another link allowing a river crossing that will compliment the Gay Street and Henley Street bridge crossings. The new bridge may be a very important link to property being planned for public access and use by the Legacy Parks Foundation, and it may eventually be used by students living up in Cherokee Trail housing.

An example of the type of desired impact the bridge could have may be found in Chattanooga. There they converted a former vehicular bridge to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, and areas across the river from downtown Chattanooga that were underutilized and environmentally blighted only 5 years ago have been reclaimed and completely redeveloped.

As an aside, the riverwalk about to be built on the shoreline in front of Cityview will be land-based. The wooden structures you see there now are part of the Cityview marina that received a TVA permit a few years ago.

Any statistical estimates on the origin and destination of users of the bridge? That seems like it should have a big influence on its placement.

Although with bike and pedestrian improvements to Henley Bridge, and Gay street having the barrier protected sidewalks and Buck Karnes with the pedestrian walkway, maybe it is logical to sandwich something where it is proposed, That would space four bike/pedestrian routes over the river.

Any statistical estimates on the origin and destination of users of the bridge? That seems like it should have a big influence on its placement.

Although with bike and pedestrian improvements to Henley Bridge, and Gay street having the barrier protected sidewalks and Buck Karnes with the pedestrian walkway, maybe it is logical to sandwich something where it is proposed, That would space four bike/pedestrian routes over the river.

I just don't see elevators working particularly well for a bike path. I'm sure people would use them becaue the time of transitioning through an elevator is less than detouring to the next bridge but I don't see elevators handling a large volume of traffic.

Another question - would this bridge be wide enough to accomodate motorized chairs as well as bike traffic? I guess ADA says it would have to be. The cynic in me says I'll be in one of these before the bridge gets built, but more likely I'm thinking about my Dad who would love to be able to motor over to the ecology dept and pester the youngsters.

I think the bridge is an OK idea, though Rachel's proposal sounds more sensible.

If the bridge does indeed provide good access to UT then a lot of students could end up living in apartments in the South Waterfront. Even so, its a long walk, and I imagine most will be on bike.

Regarding the elevators and stairs problem for bicyclists (who on a daily basis would more than likely be the main users of the bridge), would a spiral bike ramp be possible?