beavercreek

Supporters closer to funding pedestrian, cyclist bridge

Beavercreek Bikeway group has already raised about $2.4 million of the $3 million needed.

Bill Beecroft and Roger Brislawn, members of the Beavercreek Bikeway Advisory Committee, hold a concept drawing of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists they want to see built just south of the North Fairfield Road overpass of Interstate 675.

Christopher Magan/Staff photo Bill Beecroft and Roger Brislawn, members of the Beavercreek Bikeway Advisory Committee, hold a concept drawing of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists they want to see built just south of the North Fairfield Road overpass of Interstate 675.

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 9:12 AM Thursday, May 7, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — Supporters of a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over Interstate 675 are asking possible financial backers of the project to reaffirm their support as they begin to close the funding gap.

Roger Brislawn and Bill Beecroft, members of the Beavercreek Bikeway Advisory Committee, already have raised about $2.4 million of the $3 million needed to build the bridge they say will greatly increase safety for riders and walkers around The Mall at Fairfield Commons and Wright State University.

Now, the only way to cross between Beavercreek and Fairborn without a automobile is over the North Fairfield Road Bridge, which has little to no room for walkers and cyclists.

“Fifty thousand people show up to work there each day and the only way to get across is to drive,” Beecroft told county commissioners last month.

The commissioners, like Wright State, Clark State and the Beavercreek city council, said they would maintain their support for the bike bridge, but that tough economic times have tightened every agency’s budget.

“We’ll honor our obligation, but some things are beyond our control,” Commissioner Rick Perales said.

Beecroft and Brislawn have already secured $2.4 million in Federal Highway Administration grants through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

The county, Fairborn, Beavercreek and two colleges are being asked to put in a combined $300,000 and Beavercreek officials are working to secure more grants to raise the remaining $302,000.

“The city remains very solidly behind this project,” said Beavercreek City Manager Michael Cornell.

In coming weeks, Brislawn and Beecroft hope to get the same reassurance of support from Fairborn city council members, who also said they backed the project last year, but did not pledge fiscal support.

Pete Bales, Fairborn parks and recreation director, said he will discuss the project with council later this month in a work session.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

“The city remains very solidly behind this (bike bridge) project.”

Michael Cornell

Beavercreek city manager

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