What to do about Mayo?
RTD takes a closer look not only the options before us with Mayo Bridge but also the history. Below is a quick summary of the options as posted by RTD. Interestingly only 2 of the 4 options have bike lanes.
Rehabilitate and strengthen arches, add overlooks
Construction cost: $21.6 million
Life-cycle cost: $35.7 million
Width: 60 feet
Details: two sidewalks, share road
Replace superstructure with concrete arches, add overlooks
Construction cost: $31.1 million
Life-cycle cost: $38.9 million
Width: 60 feet
Details: two sidewalks, shared road
Replace bridge with concrete arches
Construction cost: $38.4 million
Life-cycle cost: $43.0 million
Width: 73 feet
Details: bike lanes, wider sidewalks
Replace bridge with concrete girders
Construction cost: $26.6 million
Life-cycle cost: $29.1 million
Width: 73 feet
Details: bike lanes and wider sidewalks
Questions: What is the point of overlooks on a bridge? Is it to allow extra room for fishing?
Well, since the two options which mention outlooks also include sidewalks, presumably it’s so people who want to stop and look at the river while walking or biking across the bridge won’t impede others walking or biking across. Not to mention allowing those who want to fish to do so unmolested by walkers and bikers on the sidewalks.