On a serious thought...wesgonsin, you referenced the City losing $2 million. I follow City, County and School District finances and I do not recall seeing any story about the City losing $2 million. I know city officials are talking about deficits going into 2010, but can you give me more insight on what you know or cite the news article? Thanks.

I think we should use stimulus to buy Ms. Bessie some evening wear and foot wear. Perhaps a nice black dress and two pair of heels, size 22E. Pearls would be good too. Skip the hats, way to controversial.

Why should there be a need for private fundraising? Let's not forget that Janesville's kangaroo government somehow lost over two million dollars. Do their own personal financial statements fall under the open records law, seeing as how they are elected public officials?

I doesn't thinkin they is a listnin....lol

I Really Don't Think They Are Listening.......

Lakennedy: I agree with your post about it not being our job to amuse the kids, Well said!! Chainsaw: They should do a story on those lights, it sounds like they may be another good answer besides spending tons of our tax dollars!! What about it Gazette????

The trail stops at the north and south "ends" of Milwaukee Street. Although it might sound more familiar to call them "sides" they could technically be construed as "ends". If you're walking North on the trail from the south side of Milwaukee Street and don't stop at the "end" before crossing and look both ways, you may get run over on your side and meet your end.

23 1/2 hours later and still no word from the gazette about running a story about the lighted signs over in Fort Atkinson. hmmmmmm I think I have fallen on deaf ears.......I thought it was a good idea.........JMO

I cannot believe how negative and rude people are in this city. No wonder Janesville is in trouble! I am tired of this bickering and may move to share my talents and resources elsewhere.

lol sandman your funny

ENOUGH WITH THE BIKE TUNNEL BS -- AND NOW WHAT IDIOT HAS PROPOSED A "ROUNDABOUT" BECAUSE OF ONE ACCIDENT?!

THE CITY COUNCIL OBVIOUSLY HAS TOO MUCH TIME AND MONEY ON ITS HANDS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S TAXPAYER MONEY -- STOP WASTING IT ON SUCH OBVIOUS NONSENSE!!!

please read my whole post before you react.i think its great that people like to ride bicycles and truly enjoy it.i also think it would be nice to have a bike tunnel in that area, because it can be dangerous over there.but unfortunately the city can not afford it right now.bicyclers always want motorist to take responsibilty when it comes to looking out for cyclist and they should.but some cyclist act like they own the road and have no respect for people in cars,and i believe that a person on bicycle should have the same responsibility as a person driving a car.cyclist should be made to carry insurance just like you do on your car,if they want all these things then they should be responsible.i had bicycle run into my car at a stop sign because he was trying to cross without stopping and looking for oncoming traffic,he put 800 dollars in damage to my car and guess who had to pay for it? i did.the tunnel would be very nice for cyclist,but they also need to carry financial responsibility.

Why Not put a Car tunnel under the Bike path, Cars have rights to add Aduel purpose traffic circle that people can't drive around with out stopping

the council dont care for you to vote what they want they spend our money on. Hey I know fix the holes in the road in front of my house on south grant ave. Yes the ones that they filled with grvel earlier this year that made people wipe out on their bikes. Now the gravel is gone and the holes are back. Take care of what we have and quit spending on crap.

It's ok Zoom you must have had a long day ........take a deep breath and try again laterz

LOL

No problem flying_monkeys. Those signs are awesome. but then again it still takes the people on the trail to also watch out for cars cause you never know when someone might be texting and not see the sign. I wonder how much they cost? wouldn't take much to run power to them as power is already there. Hey Mr Angus. Maybe you could run a story on these signs and make sure the city council gets free copies that day......heck I'll even buy it for them (the paper).

Chainsaw... Sorry, read your post after posting myself. Those signs in Fort are GREAT I agree!!
They Always catch my attention, ALWAYS!! Hope more people go up there and see them, as this is a MAJOR highway running thru Fort, with much more "large vehicle" traffic than Milwaukee St in Janesburg! and yet... these signs WORK! Check out their signs up there ALL-- and you will see what is meant.

"how can there be a south end of Milwaukee street? It runs east and west."

Milwaukee Street runs southwest to northeast, actually. I meant southwest then. Sheesh.

Check out the lights on the signs in Fort, where the bike trail crosses Hwy 26. IF the people using the trail hit the button, the sign lights up like crazy!! Little oval reflectors all over this sign, blinking at the drivers to be aware. They are GREAT signs! BUT... pedestrians and bikers also have to be aware, and USE these safety devices. If not... it is their own fault. I was always taught, as were my children, that crossing streets on a bike was to be done WALKING the bike, not riding it. Dismounting and checking traffic takes only a few seconds, and if all is good, you go. If not... the short inconvenience may just save your life one day when the driver is not paying attention. Again... the signs in Fort are great! Why not try an option like this before paying thousands for a tunnel that will only cause more grief? Even driving past these signs daily, they have not become "second sense". They are there, and they ARE noticed, and cause more drivers to pay more ATTENTION, even when these lights AREN'T flashing!

Outspoken_8, I believe your posting off topic. But if you are depending on the government or society to fund civil projects for entertainment, you may have a long wait.

As for smoking, drinking, drugs...those are choices. Good or bad, we don't want government making choices for us, because that would not be a democratic society.

As for the tunnel, I don't need a tunnel, roundabout, islands, or lights to cross the street on the bike trail...I just use common sense, like EVERY other intersection on the planet.

If a tunnel is built on E Milw., then I will need one at Wright Rd., Beloit Ave/Main, Jackson, and especially Centerway/Hwy51.

Speed limits are not enforced much in WI. like they used to be. Think about it, a police officer would have to open the car door, and WALK all the way up to the offenders vehicle, then they would have to WALK all the way back to their squad car and do paperwork...

No, it's much easier to build a tunnel in the ONE place so traffic can remain lawless and unlimited, just like Court St, Milton Ave, Racine, Beloit Ave, and Kellog...just a free for all, the Wild, Wild, West.

outspoken:
Although your comment is completely off topic, I'll bite.
What, exactly, would you like the city to do for you? I mean, the impression I'm getting from your post is that you're very bored, and the city should spend taxpayer money to keep you occupied...that's the gist of it, isn't it? Where did you ever get the idea that it's the city council's job to keep you occupied? Here's a reality check: I don't give a damn if you have "nothing to do" DUH. Are you deluded enough to think that your generation created the term "bored?" Guess what, there was even less to do when I was growing up in Janesville, and even less than that when my parents were. Somehow, we got by.
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If you're so bored, why not get some of your bored friends together and start fundraising for something, like a skatepark?
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If you're so bored, how about you start volunteering in your community?
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In your post you write: "Everyone complains about all the underage drinkin in Janesville, maybe the city council should actually take some time and try and find things for teens to do that doesn't involve drinking or drug use..." Why is our city council's job to make sure you and your idiotic friends don't do drugs or drive around drunk? I've got a novel idea, how about you take care of yourself? If there is something you want to see done, go do it...don't sit back and piss and moan trying to get our city to pay for you and your cronies to have "something to do."

I'm an 18 year old that's lived in Jville my WHOLE life and i feel that the city now needs to build things for teens to do like a skate park or something, i've recently heard of kids drinking and smoking and doing other drugs starting in the sixth grade!!! Everyone complains about all the underage drinkin in Janesville, maybe the city council should actually take some time and try and find things for teens to do that doesn't involve drinking or drug use, THE TEENS IN JANESVILLE NEED SOMETHING TO DO!! Don't you think if we built something for teens to use that it would help teens from getting bored and resorting to drug and/or alcohol use...DUH!!

To those who want a sign.... There is one, it says, "Caution. Traffic May Not Yield."
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This is the problem, traffic may not yield.
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I would like to know what the upkeep costs are of a tunnel versus general trail maintenance. If it is not substantial, we should maybe look at this cost not as a one time sticker shock, but as a long term investment that will used for years to come.

Spikesmom, I really don't think the backup would be very disruptive to traffic. It would only turn red for a short time just like a cross walk sign turns white allowing pedestrians the right of way to cross. Then it would turn back green and wouldn't turn red again until someone else pushed the button. How much time would elapse 30 seconds maybe 60?

I have noticed this area both while riding on the trail and driving through this area and the yellow lights aren't real noticeable especially with the fire station right down the street with similar flashing lights. I have seen all types of behavior. Cars not stopping, speeding, some cars stopping and not others, bikers not pushing the button and just going out in front of traffic, and bikers sitting there talking on a cell phone while traffic stops and they don't cross. I think something should be done to remedy this situation, but I think a tunnel and/or roundabout might be a little overkill.

I seem to remember something about the light not being a good solution during the original discussion because of cost, practicality or something. I don't remember exactly. I would like to see it again if anyone knows what was brought up before.

If Janesville's city Elders want to attract new business to town, they need to stop hiring outside "consulting" firms to tell them how it's done everywhere else across the country.
If they can't conjure up some innovative new ideas on their own, well they should just step down and make way for people that can. Bike trails and resale/antique/year round rummage sale shops are getting stale. Old idea.

how can there be a south end of Milwaukee street? It runs east and west

And too, why do they call them paths "bike trails"?
See more people walking on them than riding bicycles. And not a great many walkers either....
Next time they blow a million dollars on an extension to a "bike trail", mabey they should build into it some sort of traffic counter to see just how many pedestrians are actually using it.
Janesville, "The City of Parks", only has a few worth seeing.
People aren't going to load the bicycles onto the roof of their SUV or Minivan and drive up from Chicago after they strap three screaming and fighting kids in, just to go ride bikes and have a gosh darn picnic to see views of downtrodden industrial buildings. And even if they did, what's that going to really do to help? What? So they stop off and buy a fast food hamburger or ice cream cone? Well whoop-dee-do.

Why don't they put new signs up like they have up in Fort Atkinson? The signs have BRIGHT STROBES along the edges of the signs and when they push the button to cross the street you CAN'T miss it. this would be way less than a tunnel. Maybe the council should take a little drive and see this for them selves. has anyone else seen these signs?? JMO

The tunnel should have just gone in right way when the trail was built. Nobody would have batted an eye. People tend to forget that there are other tunnels associated with this trail in other areas of Janesville. How about a sign that tells trail users how to cross safely? *Look both ways, give drivers a chance to see you, activate the yellow flashing light and then proceed carefully.* There is no way a red light can be installed out there. It would back traffic up too much. As a driver I need more notice to stop for you. Give me that chance. It should be no different than crossing the street anywhere else in town. Just because it's a marked crossing does not make it any different. Oh yeah, and when you are at that crossing and cars do stop for you, can you proceed? Don't just stand there. If you don't want to cross, then wave the cars through. Thanks!

Where's the common sense? How much of the tax base is gone with business leaving and unemployment through the roof? I don't see how there is any money to spend on it and thats the bottom line. Are there any ideas on how to pay for it without raising taxes? As far as the roundabout goes, although the fatality is regrettable, it does not justify redesigning the whole intersection at taxpayer expense. Do you honestly think the kid who killed that person would have slowed down because there was a roundabout? Not everyone has money to spend on things that aren't necessities much less have the money to pay for the necessities that are needed to live on. Let's not act like we as a city have money to burn because we don't.

Instead of the light flashing yellow, which DOES NOT work...
Make them Red!! I've stopped numerous times to let bikers/walkers cross while other idiots drive right through.
Also since I've lived here- 10 yrs. in that area I have never seen anyone stopped for speeding on that stretch and believe me there are speeders!!

I have discussed the option of putting the tunnel on a referendum with numerous council members. The consistent answer usually had something to do with the cost of a referendum...which I questioned since we had an election in November, and could have quite easily added this issue to the ballot.
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MOCO: I am definitely an anti-tunneler, but please don't equate that with being anti-safety. My argument always has been and still consists of two points...neither of which have been adequately addressed.

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1. There is absolutely zero evidence that indicates there should be a bike tunnel here. If no evidence is needed, then why shouldn't there be a bike tunnel under every street crossing one comes across on the trail? I'd actually assert that the debate surrounding this controversial tunnel has opened motorists and bike trail user's eyes alike to the area, and has resulted in better choices being made by both parties.
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And-
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2. Building this tunnel sends a very clear and dangerous message to those who either refuse to take any personal responsiblity when using the bike trail, and to those who consistently refuse to abide by the rules of the road.
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Those in favor of this idiocy constantly cite "safety" as being their main concern. To counter that argument, I ask you to show me a shred of evidence that indicates a safety concern actually exists.
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I live right off of this trail, and use it frequently with my son. I take responsibility for both him and myself when crossing any street, in addition to that, I abide by the rules of the road...I ask that the rest of you do the same and save our taxpayers this wasteful expense.

Rights of bicyclists – (Drivers) Give extra space to pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children. They can move into your path quickly and without warning. Do not share a lane with a pedestrian or bicyclist. Wait until it is safe to pass in the adjoining lane. Bicycles are vehicles, and are entitled to a full traffic lane. Give a bicycle at least three feet of room when you pass.
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http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/doc......

Those of you who think that bicyclists do not have the same rights and privileges as vehicles need to do some research.

I also like the idea of the light being green until someone pushes the button and it turns yellow then red. moco248: I agree their are certain people who milk the system and don't desrve our money but neither does a taxpayer need rising costs just for a tunnel that could be easily solved with some of these suggestions on this blog. Are you listening city council?????

How about a stop sign???

Wow. The ignorance flows freely doesn't it? I used to think the tunnel was needed but have since been convinced that there are less expensive ways of dealing with the problem. I think one lane is a great idea. Doing nothing is not the right choice. More than once have a seen the exact situation that was described earlier in the blog. A few cars stop and one doesn't. The one that doesn't probably can't see the pedestrian and the pedestrian can't see them. Why is this so difficult for you anti-tunnelers to understand??????? Something has to change and probably can be done with less money than the tunnel.

What doesn't surprise me anymore is the callousness of the people of this city.

To whoanellie, are you serious? Your statement about spending money on homeless is just as bad as a bike tunnel. I think that I already give enough to charities. Why should I give more to people who don't want to work just because you think city council should throw money at that (I'm generalizing of course, not all people choose not to work). My point is that no matter where the city council chooses to spend our money it will inevitably piss someone off and they'll have a better idea that will in turn piss someone else off. The only real way of deciding this issue is by voting on it. Give the people alternatives to the tunnel and VOTE!

people won't be allow to vote it away, janesville residents were given a referendum years ago on the ice arena. council built it anyways.
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we know how that turned out now don't we :D

Joker: You're kidding, right? I have yet to meet anyone who would reconsider relocating because of a tunnel...

Other cities have stop lights that are always green until a pedestrian pushes the button. Then they turn yellow and red so that the cars stop and the people can cross. This has to cost a considerable amount less than a freakin' tunnel. I agree- let the people vote on it!

I think unidentified has some great ideas. I think we should see how the roundabout and changing the flashing light to red will effect traffic before even considering anything else. I also agree with Lost_City. I think the pedestrians and bikers have to be responsible too. Every parent teaches their children to look both ways before crossing any road even at a controlled walk light.

Janesvillean: I do use the bike trail all the time and I have 2 eyes that I use when crossing the road. If you are riding a bike you don't get special priviledges for it, open your eyes, obey the trafficlaws, and stop when you need to cross the road. use signals and don't cross in front of people when they are driving. The people I've encountered and gotten angry with do not obey signals and do stupid things on their bikes. your laws are the same wether riding a bike or driving or running or walking. watch for cars and obey the law! And don't waste my tax money on a tunnel when there are homeless people that could use it more!

How else will Levitt and his Council cronies be able to run the city into the ground without projects like water towers, roundabouts or tunnels? Instead of building a tunnel for nearly $700K why not spend $7 million on a bridge for the cars?

It's really shocking how little concern for the safety of trail users people are showing here. Actually -- since I ride on Janesville streets -- it isn't surprising. There are a lot of people out there who actively hate bicyclists and show it through harassment.
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The idea that this is a lot of money is frankly ridiculous. It's only because it's a separate line item that people are even looking at it. If it were part of a street resurfacing it would not bat a single eyelash.

Just remember, with the money it would cost for that tunnel, you could hire a cop to sit at the cross walk during all daylight hours for 10+ years....And you would actually create a JOB!

Read my lips city council: Don't waste MY money on any tunnel!!! If you want it so bad, spend your money on it not the taxpayers!!

Although I agree with the fact that some pedestrians are not exercising common sense in crossing E. Milwaukee, neither are a lot of vehicles.
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I use the trail almost daily. I don't mind waiting my turn. In fact, most drivers do indeed slow down or stop to allow people to cross. The problem is that there are too many people that don't pay attention or don't feel like they need to stop.
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Why a tunnel? Because although a stupid pedestrian deserves what is coming to them, a stupid driver kills someone who doesn't deserve it.
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You can't fix stupid, but you can protect innocent. Are there ways to lessen the problem? Yes, but a tunnel prevents it.

Good. It would have been a waste to spend money on this worthless project

The problem with this waste of stimulus money is the amount of money going towards wasteful projects such as this. In FL they are spending 3 million dollars on a turtle tunnel for the turtles to cross the road! These projects will not create LONG term jobs. Besides, the majority of the money will be spent towards the 2nd and 3rd year of the presidents term so people will think he "fixed" the economy because so many jobs are being "created"

what a bunch of whiners; the simplest way to slow down traffic and the least expensive would to construct speed bumps for the cyclists to get there attention. When they they the cyclists start paying road taxes or foot the bill for a tunnel maybe it could be done but on there money only!

Last week I was following a guy on a motorcycle. We were both doing 30. As we approached the crossing, a man using the trail reached the curb. He did not stop, he did not look for traffic and he just walked right out. The guy on the motorcycle hit his brakes and he almost tipped it. I'm not sure how he kept it from falling. The man that was walking saw this and just kept on walking. He never acknowledged the motorcyclist. He just went on his way. It's like that ALL THE TIME. Motorists are willing to stop at that crossing if they are given a chance to notice people there. I don't know know why people using the crossing automatically assume they can just walk right out into the road. Yes, there are signs in the road that we are to yield for pedestrians but the pedestrians need to give all 4 lanes of traffic a chance to notice they are there. God forbid you need to wait 30 seconds for traffic to notice you. This is for the pedestirans out there that use this crossing...how are you able to approach that crossing and just continue walking across the road without looking for traffic? Why do you think you are above the law? You want motorists to give you a break so then give us a break once in awhile. Acknowledge our existence and give us a chance to stop.

When they spend $672,000 on a bike tunnel (and you just know they will in the end, despite the controversy) well then there darn well be a pot of gold, a lucky troll, or three magical wishes waiting for anyone that emerges from the other end as they pass through it. By jimminy......

What is everyone so worked up about this bike tunnel? It is only money! Maybe this bike tunnel will change the minds of all of the families that are moving out of Janesville.

Milwaukee St is not the belt line in Madison, not even Milton ave, has a bridge or tunnel to cross over....Get real Janesville......I use Milwaukee St daily, post more signs or make the yellow flashers red! Most people stop...teach the bikers and walkers to use the lights.

"Levitt said 'staff' would bring the tunnel back to the council"........
"Staff is exploring other low-cost ways to improve safety"........
Who are these people they call 'staff'?

Yes, the single lane option seems to be the most logical solution. Convert the outside lanes to parking and bike lanes. Build peninsulas/barriers at the bike path crossing out to the middle lanes.

Milwaukee Street east of Wright Road does not get enough traffic to justify four lanes, per the city engineers. Also, conversion to single lanes has slowed traffic on Wright Road, north of Hwy 14, and on the south end of Milwaukee Street. Single lanes might also alleviate the need for a roundabout at Wuthering Hills Drive.

The police can't be everywhere at once. Putting the blame on them is not a solution. Pedestrians also fail to use the lights, and it's not because they are inconvenient. Many either don't fell comfortable stopping traffic, or they feel safe crossing without the lights. They deserve half the blame for the problem.

The city could pay me to sit there and help these people cross the street. I have been able to cross many streets in my life without ever being hit. Maybe these people who use the bike trail just need to be trained on how to cross streets. Stop. Look both ways. Check again. Cross when it is safe to do so. Simple!

Speeders are not the main problem. Close calls for me have been when vehicles in the inside lanes yield and a vehicle in the far outside lane does not. They can not see you and you can not see them. If the city is planning on re-constructing the road, how about single lanes from Wright Rd to the proposed roundabout at Wuthering Hills? This would not only make it safer to cross, it would slow down traffic as well.

Since the city installed speed monitors people have really slowed down. I know, because I live on E. Milwaukee. I'm guessing a round about will have the same effect. There are a few things I would suggest. First make the button to push more accessible for people walking/riding. Right now it seems a bit out of the way and many don't bother to push it. Make the flashing lights red and larger. Right now they are yellow and aren't too far from the yellow lights at the fire station that flash all the time. Paint big lines on the cross walk. However, also paint diagonal lines with a "slow" across them like you see at some schools further out from the cross walk. Another option would be smaller versions of rail road type gates that come down when the button is pushed. They wouldn't have to be elaborate, but would be more obvious. I think there is a variety of less expensive options.

Unfortunate.

the gazette must be referring to the bike tunnel SCAM! once the spendaholic city council has a 'want' state of mind, nothing else matters.

Well spoken LJS64 !! I agree with you 100% - TOOOO MANY people drive fast & crazy on that street. It would be nice to see our local police handing out more tickets on East Milwaukee Street. Mr police chief if you read this may I also highly recommend MORE tickets on Milton Avenue on Friday and Saturday night. Milton Avenue traffic on those days and times is CRAZY! I even saw a small truck with a confederate flag being waved by some nut as they raced up and down Milton Avenue on a Friday recently. Hurt them in the pocket book and they will slow down! One final thought 0n East Milwaukee Street - I believe that was the location of a fatality due to fast and eratic driving by someone. Did they ever do anything to the guy that caused that death?

BOO HOO on the tunnel. If that was your personal money you wouldn't think for a second about blowing that ridicules amount of money. I'm with ljs64. Nail the people speeding and not yielding on that road and your problem is solved. It would be less money to have a cop stationed on that road than to build and maintain a tunnel. If the tunnel was built, the police would be there anyway investigating graffiti.

Here's an idea to make that area safer. Have the morons that speed up and down E. Milwaukee Street slow the he*l down. Let me guess that would cost NOTHING!!