River Path Evaluation (Lake St. to Wells Ave.)

Here's another portion of the river path, from the Automobile Museum to Wells Ave. reviewed with comments from one of our newer local bicycle advocates (David).  All the photos and observations are his (with a few edits from me for clarity).  A big thanks to David for doing this section of the path.

Location Map for comments and photos.  Working from East to West.

 

#1 Below is what once was a stop sign @ lower wells and the river path westbound. 

The path width at this location is 14'. Remove or replace device? 

 #2  Slightly further west at Brodhead Memorial Park there is a medium (<3") root protrusion on the south side of the path just before the Kuenzli Street access point. Path width is still 14'.

#3  Adjacent to the Kuenzli street access point there appears to be a tree stump and 2"x2" sign post base painted in high visibility paint on the north side of the path that likely should be remedied for safety. 

The path narrows here due to downhill (slope) creep. 

Usable width is now 8' and distance to the protrusions is 10'. Below are three examples.

#4  Next up for review is the Kuenzli Street overpass. 

Usable path width is now 10'. 

Guard rail present. 

Please note in the following photos the condition of the installed lighting fixtures as currently vandalized and non-functional. I can attest to these two fixtures having been in this state for over five years now (Three photos).

#5  Second Street overpass. 

Usable path with 10'. 

Unlike its pretentious Kuenzli Street counterpart there is no guard rail present. 

Again note the condition of the lighting fixtures, vandalized and non-functional (three photos).

#6  Past the Second Street overpass a "S" curve exists just prior to the auto museum. 

Usable path width varies and is at a minimum of 8'. 

Please note that the lamp in the picture is likely in a failed condition. I noted on my return after dark (but did not photograph), conservatively 80% of the lamps in the reviewed section are non-functional.

  

#7  Just east of the auto museum exists an outcropping of one gated structure and what appears to be a control or power mechanism is contained within the gated structure. Protrusions of metal lids at ground level (multiple).

Steep decline towards the river, without barrier.

Control/power device obstruction without barrier. Not clearly visible in dark conditions.

Very narrow usable path width @ 6' to 7'.

#8  Approaching Lake Street, adjacent to the auto museum.

Path width is 8'

One or more root protrusions of the smaller variety (<1") on the north side of the path. 

The irrigation system (Automobile Museum maintained) frequently leaks, flooding sections of the path, leading to rapid degradation of the newly repaved path.  How about some desert landscaping!