BY, Bob Kalinowski, Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice
WILKES-BARRE — Engineers, architects and urban planners walked around downtown Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday as part of a study aimed at creating a bicycle and pedestrian network in the city.
“What’s really amazing is Wilkes-Barre has a riverfront. You have open space here,” said Bob Thomas, of the Philadelphia-based Campbell Thomas and Co.
Thomas’ firm is working with Barry Isett and Associates and urban planners in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to bring bike lanes to both cities.
Larry Newman of the Diamond City Partnership and Wilkes-Barre Councilman Tony Brooks, along with officials from the Luzerne County Transportation Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation took part in Tuesday’s tour and a public hearing afterward at King’s College.
A similar meeting was previously held in Scranton.
Thomas said the Market Street Bridge with its wide sidewalks and grand architecture would be great to be part of a bike trial.
“We’re trying a lot of different approaches,” Thomas said.
The planning team is also soliciting public input thought WikiMapping, an interactive online mapping tool that allows users to identify important biking and walking routes, as well as wish-list destinations and obstacles to getting there.
Those wishing to give input can visit https://wikimapping.com/swb-plan.html.
The WikiMapping Survey will be open through July.
