Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/33025
After the meetings, the presentation boards were avail- able for inspection, promoting dialog among presenters and the public. “In the future, we might look into using a 3-D flythrough or images to put onscreen that are more interactive, but the boards were helpful to refer to during and after the meeting,” he adds. Before proceeding into the final design phase, the bridge design had to pass muster with PennDOT. Feedback from the public meetings led to several design changes. Sidewalks were widened to accom- modate pedestrian traffic from the college and park, and a bike lane was added to provide a continuous thoroughfare for the bike lane along High Street. As the design evolved, new renderings were quickly generated for review. This proved especially useful as the team finalized finishes to the structure. According to Hickson, “The 3-D model allowed us to easily change the aesthetic options so stakeholders could see what they would look like.” TPD came away from these meetings with agreement on other architec- tural treatments that also complemented the historic buildings and downtown streetscape. For example, the architectural light fixtures on the new bridge are similar to those used downtown. Stamp of Approval Initiated in 2008, the High Street Bridge over Manatawny Creek Bridge Replacement Project design is completed, with construction scheduled to begin in early spring 2011. The $3 million bridge is expected to be open to traffic by the spring of 2012, when it will become an important component of the Pottstown revitalization strategy. Before it’s complete, however, stakeholders will have one more chance to approve the historic look. “We’ll give the contractor our rendering and send it the file and photos,” notes Hickson. “The contractor will build a mockup of the formliner before it actually casts it on the bridge. It will stamp the concrete on the sample and do the staining, and the borough will have the opportunity to look at it before it becomes final. They will be able to say that that’s what they want.” This commitment to public involvement will ensure that the new bridge fulfills the functional requirements and meets High Street standards for an aesthetic structure in a historic context. Revitalizing Transportation Infrastructure The revitalization plan for the borough of Pottstown examined the crucial role of transportation in the community as it affects mobility, accessibility, safety, economic development and quality of life for residents. The planners considered commuting patterns, major roadways and bridges, municipal airports, public transportation, commuter and freight rail, and previously programmed improvements for Pottstown. For the Pottstown transportation infrastructure to support a healthy community and economy, the plan proposed making some strategic changes, including the following: • Enhance Gateway Areas. Gateway areas can support other borough objectives, such as rebranding Pottstown’s image and facilitating its role as the region’s urban hub. • Improve Access Management. Reducing the number of access points to heavily traveled roads would improve mobility. • Implement ITS Systems. Synchronizing traffic signals in the borough and with adjacent municipalities would assist with more-efficient vehicle movement. • Reduce Excessive Noise. Noise-reducing measures near residential areas would impact the community’s aesthetics. • Ensure Context-Sensitive Design. Updating land- development procedures and design guidelines would ensure that roads and bridges blend into their environment. • Support Transit-Oriented Development. Demand is increasing with the growth of the elderly population and the rise of commuters who use public transportation. • Improve Aesthetics. On-street parking, bike lanes, shade trees, landscaping and pedestrian elements such as benches and street lamps all help to create a destination. As part of the effort to revitalize the Main Street commer- Cathy Chatfield-Taylor is a freelance writer/editor for the infrastructure engineering and construction industry; e-mail: cathy@CC-Tunlimited.com. cial district along High Street, the Manatawny Creek Bridge Replacement project fulfills several of these criteria and will help to attract new and expanded businesses within the Main Street district. Source: Pottstown Economic Development Strategic Plan, March 2008 M AY 2O11 / WWW . GEOPLA CE .C O M 17