Bridgeport Planning Commission delays Non-Motorized Access Plan pending state grants

BRIDGEPORT – A non-motorized access plan was the main docket item at the regular monthly meeting of the Planning Commission last Thursday, March 7. The Commission elected to postpone further work on that plan until such time later this year that state Department of Commerce grant funding becomes available to cover further work.

Non-motorized access addresses safe and convenient routes for pedestrians, bicycles, and other forms of non-motorized conveyance around the downtown core and other high-traffic areas. Those access features can include striped and dedicated sidewalks, sidewalk improvements, and crosswalks, to name a few. 

Information featured in one community’s non-motorized access plan noted that 40 percent of the U.S. population does not drive and that virtually everyone is a pedestrian in the course of a day. Evidence supports that pedestrian and non-motorized trail systems can bring economic revitalization to a community. This is a key goal of Bridgeport’s current Community Revitalization Plan adopted in January 2021. Walking and biking routes help create a livable community for residents and attract visitors/

Danison said the plan will include maps of non-motorized access routes of sidewalks and trails and will be part of the city’s comprehensive plan.

Funding is always a key consideration for small communities like Bridgeport to cover or partially the costs involved with the creation and updating these mandated plans. Danison said that in his discussions with other Douglas County communities he works with, the two questions he frequently encounters are:

1. How long do they have to update their comprehensive plans?
2. When will money be available? 

“We have until the end of 2026 (to complete the plan) and grants will be available at the end of July,” said Danison.

“So, we could actually have the non-motorized access plan covered by the update,” said Planning Commission Chair Leslie Robb.

The commission recommends that the city work on other comp plan items like administrative procedures until grant money becomes available after July to pay for the non-motorized component. 

“It will be nice to have grant money to do it and help save the city budget,” said Danison.

Mike Maltais:360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media