Title
A Resolution requesting that the Ky. Transportation Cabinet include the design and construction of a section of the Town Branch Trail within the current plans for expansion of New Circle Rd. between Georgetown and Versailles Roads, and directing the Council Clerk to distribute a copy of this Resolution to the Secretary of the Ky. Transportation Cabinet. [Council Office, Maynard]
Body
WHEREAS, the Town Branch Trail promises to connect our world-class rural landscape with the heart of our historic Downtown connecting Masterson Station Park, McConnell Springs Nature Preserve, the Lexington Distillery District, the Rupp District, Town Branch Commons, Thoroughbred Park, and the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden; and,
WHEREAS, the Town Branch Trail is a city-wide greenway project that LFUCG has pursued consistently in comprehensive planning, grants, and bonding in coordination with the State of Kentucky for over a decade; and,
WHEREAS, over $4 million has been invested in and/or allocated for the 8-mile greenway trail project to date; and,
WHEREAS, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is planning imminently to expand the New Circle Road in a location that crosses and parallels the trail corridor; and,
WHEREAS, Ray LaHood, US Secretary of Transportation has SPECIFICALLY called for projects of this type to include bicycle and pedestrian paths like Town Branch Trail as integral components to highway expansions; and,
WHEREAS, AASHTO (American Association of Highway Transportation Officials) guidelines show this type of bicycle pedestrian bridge integration can save taxpayer funds as a standard component of urban highways; and,
WHEREAS, there are dozens of precedent examples of this exact type of highway and bike path integration already competed across the nation; and,
WHEREAS, building this section of the Town Branch Trail in conjunction with the New Circle Road expansion will accelerate completion of the trail by several years at a great saving to public dollars; and,
WHEREAS, the section of the Town Branch Trail requested of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to be constructed with the highway expansion will cost no more than one percent of the project budget; and,
WHEREAS, completion of the Town Branch Trail will offer many benefits for the city and state including decreased traffic congestion, reduction in pollution, increased in recreational opportunities while increasing property values.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
Section 1 - That the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government hereby requests that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet include the design and construction of a section of the Town Branch Trail within the current plans for expansion of New Circle Road between Georgetown and Versailles Roads.
Section 2 - That the Council Clerk is hereby directed to distribute a copy of this resolution to Mike Hancock, Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Section 3 - That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its passage.
PASSED URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL:
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CLERK OF URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL