Sitka has the highest per capita percentages of non-motorized users in Alaska however it does not have all the necessary facilities to support the high number of pedestrians and cyclists. The downtown core also did not have the capacity to meet the demand of cruiseship passengers and recommendations for improving pedestrian facilities were needed. Christopher Mertl developed a community wide non-motorized transportation plan that analyzed the existing neighborhoods and facilities and made recommendations for improving these facilities. Recommendations were made for the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods while being sensitive to the community’s scale and character. Work included an extensive public involvement process and endorsement by the community. Recommendations were made for the development of new sidewalks, bikeways, and multi-use trails and providing design guidelines for these new facilities while meeting AASHTO and ‘Green Book’ Guidelines. This planning effort has formed the basis for several design and engineering projects recently installed to enhance the community.

This work was completed by Mr. Mertl while with Jensen Yorba Lot Architects in Juneau.