New bridge on Norbeck Road over the ICC

Where are the shoulders and sidewalks?

Last weekend, I was dismayed (and infuriated) to see that the new bridge on Norbeck Road over the ICC has no sidewalks or bike lanes.  In fact, there is no room at all on the bridge for a pedestrian or bicyclist to travel safely through without the risk of being hit or run over by cars and trucks.

Adding insult to injury is the fact that pedestrians and bicyclists would not be able to jump onto grass should a speeding car come too close as often occurred in the past.  Now, a pedestrian or bicyclist would have to jump over the bridge’s railing and plunge into ICC traffic below.  Death is all but guaranteed.  

Curious to see how a pedestrian or bicyclist would feel trying to cross this new bridge, I took chances with my own life and ran across the bridge, facing traffic, on Saturday afternoon (06/21/2011).  Once was enough.  I didn't wish to replicate it coming back across the bridge with my back to traffic, which would be even more scary.  Suffice to say, it was a frightening experience as I had to occupy the entire left lane and wave at motorists to move over to the right lane so I would have enough room to cross without getting clipped or hit by passing automobiles.  

This is nothing short of poor engineering and a major oversight by the Intercounty Connector (ICC) Project Office so I wrote to the ICC"s John Sales and SHA's Jeremy Beck and expressed my concerns about the dangers of trying to cross this bridge by foot or bike.  

I don't understand why pedestrian and bike safety always appears to be an afterthought during the planning, design, and construction of these roadway projects.  Don't these engineers ever walk and ride bikes?  Would they wish this upon their own children, friends, neighbors, etc?  Sigh.........