Hanley Road bicycling/walking receives key support

St. Louis County Councilwoman Barbara Fraser on Tuesday opposed the design of an interchange at Hanley and Manchester roads that includes improvements to a stretch of Hanley to the north.

"I want to see Hanley Road designed in a way that not only improves traffic flow but also accommodates people who live, work and shop there," she told the council. "Hanley neighborhoods do not need an interstate-type overpass with little consideration for people."

The stretch of Hanley should become an urban parkway with space for pedestrians and bicyclists, Fraser said. The project area is in her district. . . .

The county wants to install an overpass for Hanley and Manchester. Pedestrians could walk along Manchester, which would be on the lower level. But those along Hanley would have to take a ramp down to Manchester, cross that road and then take a ramp up to Hanley.

Trailnet, an advocate for hikers and bicyclists, has opposed the design since last May. It wants the county to retain the Hanley-Manchester intersection and build an urban parkway with the outer lanes wider than inner ones to accommodate bicyclists.