Chitty Chatty Bridge, What Were They Thinking?
 

Watching the latest of Don's videos, I am surprised (or maybe not surprised) at the lack of foretought in the design of the Chitty Chatty bridge.

Unlike the bridge crossing Lake Sumter, where there is a dedicated walking and biking lane, the Chitty Chatty bridge features(?) a single walking / biking lane on the Rohan side of the bridge which abruptly ends at the top.

While a good idea (developer liability), won't this cause more problems than it attempts to alleviate?

As a walker / runner / cyclist, with many years sharing space with carts and cars, here is my take.

On a flat roadway / sidewalk

1. Walkers travel at 2 to 5 mph.
2. Runners travel at 6 to 10 mph
3. Cyclists travel at 8 to 18 mph
4. Carts travel at 20+ mph

So what happens at the top of the grade when the four groups merge together to travel across the bridge?

Answer, the walkers walk at 5 mph, the runners run at 8 mph, the cyclists cycle at 14 mph and all the carts line up behind them, even though the cart drivers are used to traveling 20 mph.

Hopefully, all the cart drivers will be abundantly patient and slow to 5 mph. The carts will not attempt to pass the walkers / runners / cyclists. Yeah right!

Can you say Morgan and Morgan?

does anyone know the width of the 2 lanes on the bridge?

Actually it is worse as the average walker is more like 2-3 mph.

Anything to save a few bucks. You are correct. How shortsighted, and dangerous.

I was told by my barbers gardener, that the walkway to the top was for skiers to use when it snows here in the winter!:icon_wink:

Wow we are new and thought we could never use our skis here.

Now to find someone to wax our skis.

Turnpike Bridge
 

Is the Fl Turnpike bridge the same design?

Guess you can stay off the bridge, problem solved!

A sidewalk at ground level to a new crosswalk or the light at Morse/44 would aleviate the risk.

A crosswalk the a recently added at Everglades to allow walkers to bypass two tunnels.

Well, we will see for ourselves as we drive the Chitty Chatty bridge in a few days. Its rather spectacular to see from a distance and drive under on State Route 44.

I doubt that there will be many people walking on that bridge, maybe at the beginning but it will quickly fade. I also don't see it having heavy bike and golf car traffic, it will be used by both but doubtful there will be any "traffic jams" as there will be plenty of space for the cars to pass the bikes. For the next few months only those living in Chitty Chatty and Bradford will have easy access to the bridge, even walkers from west of the Turnpike will have to find a place to park their cars before starting their journey. As far as those living north, after they find there is really nothing much to see or do over there at this time they won't come back until the golf courses are open or at such time that they can cross the turnpike.

solution? Drive you’re car to the other side of the golf cart bridge, then park and start walking, or remove you bike from car and start riding. I don’t know how much that bridge costs? But you can bet it not cheap. Be glad got golf cart bridge connection the lower section.

Few hundred thousand bucks?

or even more

Try modifying speed to match traffic and road conditions. Tried the bridge. No big deal.

Chitty Chatty Bridge walkway on the north side...
 

The north side of Chitty Chatty is shorter and steeper than the South side. I wonder if the walkway was added for those cyclists that would have difficulty riding up the steeper north side...

The bridge width is 19 ft 4 inches according to the attached drawing. If you deduct a few feet for curbing and structural members it is reasonable to assume that the travelable deck area is about 16 ft, or the same width as the standard multi-modal path south of CR466. The bridge at Lake Sumter Landing and the bridge over 27/441 have a 10 ft wide golf cart lane. (I'll know the exact deck width tomorrow when I measure it.)

With a little bit of caution and COURTESY BY ALL there should be no problems with walkers, biker, and golf carts using the path.

You are so correct ... and isn't it surprising that the Morses didn't anticipate this issue?

I think the bigger problem might be exiting the ramp on the north side. All bridge traffic must turn right onto Kristine Way, and then left into the Citizens First parking lot to get to the pathway If they wish to go to Rohan rec center or other points north in The Villages. Those wishing to go all the way to Brownwood will have a long ride or walk, too.

Depending on the temperature outside, depends on how fast the walker is walking.

Its dangerous to have carts, bikes and pedestrians who all travel at different speeds, sharing the same space.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

This assumes that the speed limit will be 20. What is the speed limit crossing the 441 bridge?

I am of the opinion that sooner or later a walker is going to get killed or seriously injured walking on the "multi modal" paths. When that happens I wouldn't be surprised to see the victim or their family sue the Villages for encouraging people to walk on these paths. I'm all for personal responsibility but they way lawyers and courts view things like this I believe that the developer have left themselves in a precarious position.

People walk on these paths all the time because they have a right to. IMHO, you are taking your life in your hands by exercising your right. There are several blind corners and the brakes on golf carts are not all that great. They are not meant to stop a cart going 20+mph. With all of the places to walk, why would someone choose to walk where 600 pound vehicles with bad brakes and elderly drivers are zipping along at 20+MPH?


The Villages should call these "Golf Cart Paths" and either strongly suggest that people not walk on them or ban walking on them all together.

I suspect when these "multi-modal" paths were first created, golf carts were only going about 13 mph. Now, of course, we have higher speed golf carts, and the difference in speeds of the pedestrians, cyclists and golf carts is larger, and more dangerous. I really think they need separate walking trails. Of course, that would cost more money to build.

access to bridge
 

So if we live in Fenney or one of the other villages south of 44, we do not have golf cart access to the Chitty Chatty bridge? When will we get access?

There will hardly be anyone walking over that bridge. Which is the same case with the bridge over 441.

If you live south of the turnpike you won't have golf cart access until those bridges are finished, probably sometime next year. The west end should have access sooner as that bridge is already in place.

Opportunity!
 

This is an opportunity for someone to set up a small business with a cart (4 seater with partition for safety) that can transport walkers/joggers across the bridge and ramps for a fee.

I agree that Walkers on Multi-Modal paths are in danger. The path through Marsh Bend and Deluna starting at Everglades Rec center is full of Walkers and bicycles. Some days driving that path in a Golf Cart is very frustrating. Two carts CANNOT fit when there are bicycles and walkers preset. Someone has to give way to the other side. I have had walkers virtually walk right into the path of my golf cart. When the Water Lily bridge over the Turnpike opens this path will be full of golf cart traffic and there will be problems.

Why don't you ask them what they were thinking rather than complaining to us.

I suspect when the golf cart paths was built the were golf cart paths. I walk paths often and have no problems? Why? Cause at first sign of any congestion I step way off the path, thus taking myself out of any danger.

They put themselves danger? Just step out of the way. Not that hard. The problem when you get couple yaking and not paying attention. They are the ones in danger.

Been here almost 20 years. I do not recall an instance of a walker being hit by a golf cart. Somebody must be doing thing right.

There have been many instances.
One was Joan Colonna who died from her injuries 12/30/2018.

That's why God invented eyes to look around and brakes to slow down carts and bikes when those damned selfish people are sharing the MULTI-MODAL paths (they are NOT GOLF CART paths). That's also why God created DAN NEWLIN. He was planning ahead. :D

That did not happen on an MMP. She was walking in the diamond lane on Sunset Blvd.

I also can not remember a walker being struck on an MMP. Let alone many. I can remember at least on bike rider.

Diamond lanes are considered multi-use lanes.
From the sheriff:
"Within the Town of Lady Lake, Avenida Central, Del Mar Drive, Rio Grand Avenue and Chula Vista Avenue all have side lanes with the diamond painted on them. These are designated as PED or pedestrian lanes. It is a common misunderstanding that these lanes are dedicated for golf cart use only. These are considered “Shared-Use” lanes since pedestrians, bicycles and golf carts may utilize them."
https://www.(villages)-news.com/2018...or-golf-carts/

The lower section ????? Only the 2 NEWEST villages are connected. The rest are still the rotten stepchildren