Bike Board Members, I hope you all had a chance to submit comments on making sure that the new I-79 interchange bicycle climbing lane and sidewalk are actually constructed. If you haven't, it looks like the form is still open today. Please, please comment as Perry Keller regularly encourages us to do. It is another important avenue for us to be heard and not taken for granted!

For some ideas, my comment read: ----------------------------------------- *To Whom It May Concern, I am very excited about the possibility of a new bicycle climbing lane as part of the new I-79 interchange in Morgantown, WV. I understand a dedicated climbing lane was proposed for the East or uphill side from the interchange to the new development and a sidewalk on the West or downhill side where the ballpark will be located. Please make this happen.

Pedestrians and cyclists reduce the load and deterioration of our roads, which, in the long term, saves infrastructure costs. It also encourages folks to live healthier lives and reduces poor air quality which Morgantown has struggled with attaining in recent years. In March of this year, Morgantown City manager stated that we are close to being in non-attainment with the EPA air quality standards. This means that we may lose federal money that is used to help fund our roads, and the EPA may force us to use that money to help develop a plan to meet air quality standards.

WV's children have asthma rates of 25% with the national average at 8%. We must encourage less automobile traffic to reduce air pollution.

Morgantown, WV was just voted #7 on Kiplinger's Best Places to Live list. I think we should value our citizens health and continue to prove to everyone else why we're a great city to live in. Building cycling and pedestrian infrastructure attracts intelligent, motivated people that will continue to enhance Morgantown's culture.

Please include the climbing lane and sidewalk in the new plan for all of us! Thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------- * * ~*Derek * *

On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 12:34 PM, Christiaan Abildso cabildso@yahoo.comwrote:

I spoke briefly with Perry Keller at the DOT show...dedicated climbing lane on the East side/uphill (from the interchange up to the development) and sidewalk on the opposite/West (downhill) side which is the side on which the ballpark will be located. ***Perry told me specifically to make sure that everyone comments that they want/can't wait to use/demand the climbing lane and the sidewalk: "just because it's in the plan doesn't mean someone won't forget how important it is if not reminded in the public comments."

Go to the following page to comment OFTEN:

http://www.transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/i79interchange...

Thanks Christiaan

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*From:* Traci Knabenshue Traci.Knabenshue@mail.wvu.edu *To:* bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com *Sent:* Thursday, June 27, 2013 4:44 PM *Subject:* [Bikeboard] I-79 Interchange article

Hi All,

Mentions accommodating bicycles. Just wanted to share.

http://www.wvusports.com/page.cfm?story=23677

Thanks,

Traci

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