City Council still divided over Milwaukee St bike tunnel
Podcast Episode
WCLO's Beth Wheelock reports on what one council member calls "a bad decision".
A controversial bike tunnel the Janesville City Council approved to be built under East Milwaukee Street is still generating controversy on the council more than two weeks after it was approved.
City Council President Amy Loasching says she hasn't heard any positive feedback from citizens about the tunnel. Council Member Tom McDonald made the motion to approve the tunnel, and says it's good that not everyone on the council agrees about the project. He says not everyone in the city agrees about the tunnel, and so the council is representing the city.
Loasching says the project could be stopped if the council doesn't approve funding at a future meeting, and so she's encouraging citizens to contact the council members who voted for the project. McDonald says Loasching is absolutely right to do that.
McDonald also says it's his understanding that the city needs $275,000 of additional funding. The total project, including grants, costs $670,000.
Scroll down to hear Loasching and McDonald discuss the tunnel.
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:48 a.m.
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There are already tunnels on the bike trail - why is this one such a "safety" issue??
Jul 10, 2008 at 11:07 p.m.
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Why hasnt anyone mentioned a bridge??? im sure it would be cheaper to go over the street then under the street.. and yes it could be done tastefully and be a welcoming into janesville from county A.
Jul 10, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
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We have much more important issues to address at this time than a tunnel.
This tunnel will not save lives....the lives at stake should be able to determine of they can cross Milwaukee St safely all on their own without a tunnel, or "permission".
This tunnel is not even safe for a child...there are predators that live on Milwaukee St...has anyone checked out http://www.familywatchdog.us ?
There are sex predators in the neighborhood, so why put a cuddley little tunnel in the neighborhood for them?
Just sayin'
Jul 9, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.
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Does the $670K cost include the $80K already approved to move a water line?
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/jan/30/...
Jul 9, 2008 at 11:30 p.m.
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I listened to the podcast. I hope Mr. McDonald gives some weight to other forms of cummunication (sound-off, letters to the editor, comments here), in addition to the people he has spoken to personally. I'm sure there are many people that would enjoy the tunnel, but no one I have talked to could justify the high price tag, considering the recently announced closing of GM, and the unknown impact that will have. I've always felt that Janesville will weather this economic storm (or rain shower), but we have to be fiscally responsible to do so.
Jul 9, 2008 at 10:55 p.m.
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LET'S DONATE THIS TUNNEL MONEY TO ROCK HAVEN!! :)
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