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<br />Harwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Study - 2007 <br /> <br />2. Purpose and Need Statement <br />2.1 Purpose <br /> <br />The purpose of the improvement is to provide a safe bicycle and pedestrian facilityl <br />across Interstate 29 in Harwood thus connecting west and east Harwood. The need fori <br />this improvement is described in Section 2.2. : <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />One of the major needs of this project is to encourage the residents of Harwood to use I <br />alternative means of transportation. With growing concerns about a healthy lifestyle,: <br />lesser dependency on automobiles, energy efficiency, air quality and traffic congestion, itl <br />is essential to promote non-motorized means of transportation. i <br /> <br />An enhanced bicycle and pedestrian corridor along Dakota A venue would improve the I <br />bicycle and pedestrian environment and may increase the use of non-motorized means of <br />transportation. I <br /> <br />2.2 Need <br /> <br />2.21 Need to Encourage Non-Motorized Means of Transportation <br /> <br />2.22 Need to Enhance Safety Standards Across the 1-29 Overpass <br /> <br />The other major need is to enhance the safety standards of the overpass bridge across I-I <br />29 for bicyclists and pedestrians. Many pedestrians and bicyclists cross the bridge daily I <br />and this raises safety issues as there are no separate facilities. With daily traffic volumes <br />of about 2500-3000 automobiles which include tractor trailer trucks and agricultural <br />equipment, safety improvements are needed along Dakota Avenue and the 1-29 overpass. <br /> <br />2.23 Need to Facilitate Safe Route To School <br /> <br />The most important need of this project is to provide a safe route to school for the <br />children in this community. I <br /> <br />Considering the level of usage of the bridge by young children going to school, it is of <br />immediate concern to provide a separated/improved facility for bicyclists and pedestrians <br />using Dakota A venue as a route to school. <br /> <br />2.3 Other Criteria <br /> <br />2.31 Short Term Implementation Feasibility <br /> <br />Since the study caters to the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians (especially children), it is I <br />important that the recommended alternative is not just feasible in terms of technical and <br />engineering aspects, but also feasible for implementation within a short range time frame'j <br /> <br />2.32 Financial Feasibility <br /> <br />Harwood is a small city with a population of 600 and funding is a very big concern. It is <br />likely that the City may not be able to successfully compete with bigger cities for federal <br /> <br />Fargo - Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments <br /> <br />- 4 - <br />