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By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar has put his stamp of approval on the Isanti pedestrian bridge project.
During a meeting with Isanti city officials and the public Sunday, June 24, Oberstar learned the need for a pedestrian bridge in Isanti during a presentation by Isanti Mayor George Wimmer.
With the new school, as well as residential and commercial growth on the east side of Hwy. 65, Wimmer said the pedestrian bridge comes down to a safety issue while serving as a way to connect the community.
Pictured: Isanti officials met with Rep. Jim Oberstar June 24 to discuss the location of the proposed pedestrian bridge in Isanti which will cross over Hwy. 65 near the intersection of Broadway Street east and Penny Lane. Pictured (l-r) are city engineer Bryan Oakley, Isanti Chamber President Jaysen Guthmueller, Oberstar, Isanti Mayor George Wimmer, Isanti Council Member Alan Duff and Isanti Community Development Director Carla Vita. Photo by Rachel Kytonen
“We’re looking at trying to find a safe way to get the children and everyone else across the road,” Wimmer said. “We’re trying to get the footprints established before the commercial development happens.”
Oberstar, who serves as chairman of the federal House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, agreed the pedestrian bridge is needed in Isanti.
“I can designate funds for this in the next transportation bill in 2009, but I want to see if there’s a way to get this done sooner,” Oberstar said. “This should get a top rating for safety.”
After exploring several different locations, the Isanti City Council in December decided the preferred location for the pedestrian bridge would be to cross over Hwy. 65 near the intersection of Broadway Street east and Penny Lane.
Oberstar said he will immediately meet with MnDOT officials to discuss the Isanti pedestrian bridge project.
In October the city of Isanti hired SRF Consulting Group out of Plymouth as its pedestrian bridge consultant.
“This bridge would be the only pedestrian bridge in Isanti County, but also in the greater region,” Wimmer said.
City Engineer Bryan Oakley from McCombs Frank Roos Associates, said the bridge would be approximately 1,000 feet in length and would meet minimum clearance requirements.
Preliminary costs for the pedestrian bridge range between $1.6 to $1.7 million. To receive federal funding for the project the city would have to provide a 20 percent match which would be paid out of park and recreation dedication fees.
During Wimmer’s presentation he noted Isanti’s population has been estimated at 5,206 and is projected to reach a minimum of 7,750 by 2010.
Wimmer also pointed out there have been 30 fatal crashes on Hwy. 65 from 2001-2005.
Isanti has received letters of support for the pedestrian bridge project in part from Cambridge-Isanti Schools, the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce and Active Living by Design.
“This project is viewed by the county as a regional asset,” Wimmer said. “This project is needed in the area. This is a three to five year project, but we want to secure funding and get everything in place now for this.”
Oberstar talked about how the Isanti project is similar to Elk River’s pedestrian bridge project. He noted both communities have schools on one side of the highway and a shopping district on the other side.
“We really need to do this pedestrian bridge project in Isanti,” Oberstar said. “One million six. That’s peanuts compared to the lives that will be saved and the accesses that will be gained.”
Wimmer said the city has the necessary easements it needs for the project on the east side of Hwy. 65 and is working on obtaining the needed easements on the west side of Hwy. 65.
“We feel we are carrying the burden for the entire region, not just the city,” Wimmer said. “This is really a critical project, especially since this will be the only pedestrian bridge in the region. This is really a way of making a safe crossing for people to get across a very busy highway.”
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