GreenWay case studies
Midtown GreenWay Minneapolis
Many other cities across the world are achieving amazing results creating GreenWays, including GreenWays which link to new mass transit solutions.
Midtown GreenWay, Minneapolis
This 10km off-road cycle route has been constructed on a former industrial rail corridor. It first opened in 2000 and has since been expanded. Thousands of cyclists use the route every day for commuting – helping cement Minneapolis’ ranking as America’s healthiest city. It’s part of some 136km of off-road cycleways throughout the city.
In October 2011, it was announced that Minneapolis public transport provider Mass Transit will receive funding to examine light rail options alongside the Midtown GreenWay.
Further information:
City of Minneapolis
Midtown GreenWay Coalition
Midtown GreenWay video
Minneapolis America’s healthiest city
Proposed Portland light rail bridge with cycling track
Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project
This 11km light rail line (under construction as at June 2012) will include strong cycling links. A new 500m long bridge over the Willamette River for the light rail will include dedicated cycling routes while a series of new bike lanes and ‘bike and ride’ facilities will be included as part of the line’s construction.
Further information:
Rose Kennedy GreenWay
The 2.4km Rose Kennedy GreenWay was created by placing a poorly-designed and ugly 1950s elevated freeway underground. It opened in 2009 and is controlled by a public trust. The GreenWay has since been described as an ‘urban jewel’ which has transformed Boston. Bostonhas been ranked America’s third healthiest city.
Further information:
Downtown GreenWay, Greenboro in North Carolina
This is a 6.4km circular route (partially completed in June 2012) around the city of Greenboro (population 270,000). Businesses are keen to relocate near this GreenWay as it provides a commuting route for staff.
Further information:
High Line in New York
Manhattan
Manhattan has the iconic High Line, a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets onManhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City ofNew York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition.
The High Line is integrated with a greenway which encircles Manhattan Island and has become a tourist attraction.
Many of these US greenways are a similar size to the Cooks River to Iron Cove Greenway, but the US is also home to probably the largest greenway project – the 4,800 km East Coast Greenway which runs the whole length of the east coast of the USA.
Further information:
In Britain, the walking and cycle-way in east London known as “sewerbank” had fallen into disrepair in the 1990′s, when it was revived and given the less Dickensian sounding name of the Greenway. The trail is being improved further as part of the urban renewal associated with the 2012 London Olympics.
In Helinski, a safe 1.3km bicycle route called the Baana opened in June 2012 on a disused sunken freight corridor. Some call this route the “Low Line” – as distinct to New York’s High Line.
June 10th, 2012 at 15:35
So many good examples of how much communities can benefit from a greenway. How can we convince our NSW pollies that it makes good sense to go ahead with our greenway?