Surfrider invited to DTOP to Discuss Bikepath

As a follow up to a meeting in the Mayagüez regional office the prior week, Surfrider was invited to San Juan on December 4, 2007 to meet with Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) officials regarding the proposed Rincón bicycle trail. The meeting was well attended and included the Executive Director of the Highway Authority (ACT) José E. Hernández Borges.

At the meeting, DTOP’s Thelma Valenzuela Sanchez outlined some changes that DTOP intends to ask the architects to make to the plan. Some of these changes, like the elimination of gabions, were a direct result of community outcry. Other changes, like the addition of kiosks, were requested by Rincon’s mayor Carlos López.

While the potential modifications are a step in the right direction, the plans still include a number of seawalls at Domes, Tres Palmas and the Balneario. The overall scale of the project remains vastly overbuilt with minimum pavement widths of 12 feet.

In addition to the documented changes, DTOP officials also agreed to review the placement of the path heading south at Steps Beach and at Marias.

The future maintenance of the path was discussed at the meeting. ACT Executive Director José E. Hernández Borges indicated that while the municipality of Rincón would be responsible for maintenance, there is currently no proposed budget or forecast of the costs required. In a prior meeting, Mayor Carlos López had requested the addition of kiosks that would be leased to help off-set the cost of maintenance. Additionally, DTOP officials indicated that there are no projections for number of users or potential tourism revenue generated by the project.

Surfrider and other members of the community will continue to implore DTOP to make the additional changes necessary to improve the plan and minimize the impact it will have on our local environment. The elimination of seawalls is a priority as coastal armoring will inevitably result in beach loss.

The meeting was attended by:

José E. Hernández Borges – ACT Executive Director
Thelma Valenzuela Sanchez – ACT/DTOP Oficina de Patrimonio Cultural
Julio C. Rodriguez – ACT Oficina de Estudios Ambientales
Dennisse Luciano Collazo – ACT Construcción Región Oeste
Felix Rodriguez Soto – FHWA
Eugenio Fernandez – EFE Arquitectos (Architect)
José L. Torres – FHWA
Jorge A. Ramos Vélez – ACT Región Oeste
Daisy Ramos Pitre - DTOP Oficina Ing. y Agrimensura
Edwin Rivera Malavé - DTOP Oficina Ing. y Agrimensura
Annette Blasini – Surfrider Foundation
Leon Richter – Surfrider Foundation

Take Action to Stop the Bike Path Today!

Please Take Action Today to avoid the destruction of Rincón, Puerto Rico's precious coastline that is so important to the community and its economic well-being.

The PR Department of Transportation's proposed bicycle and pedestrian trail is actually a two lane paved road that will harm or destroy beaches, habitat, beach access and water quality and threatens endangered species including sea turtles and Elkhorn coral. Click below to send a fax urging Rincón's Mayor, the Governor of Puerto Rico, the PR Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to redesign the path with community input so it makes sense for Rincón and protects its coastal resources.

This will only take you 10 seconds. Click the below link to send your letter asking officials to put a STOP to the proposed bike path.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Tell-a-Friend! Visit this web address to tell your friends about this.

Your letter will be sent to the following decision maker(s):
Alcalde Carlos López Bonilla
Governor Anibal Acevedo-Vila
Ing. Carlos González Miranda
Roberto Fonseca

Recuerde Lo Que Podriamos Perder

Al Propuesto Paseo de Bicicletas y Peatones de Rincon
Recuerde Lo Que Podriamos Perder

"Una Verdad Rinconveniente"

Mito 1: Es un camino

Realidad 1: Es una carretera (pulsa para leer más)

Mito 2: Sigue la vía antigua del tren

Realidad 2: Muchas secciones colindan con la playa (pulsa para leer más)

Mito 3: El camino conecta Barrio Puntas con el Pueblo

Realidad 3: La carretera se construirá
en 2 fases. Fase 2 que incluye el camino de la planta Nuclear (Domes) se hará en un futuro (pulsa para leer más)

Mito 4: El camino será verde
Realidad 4: La carretera dañará o destruirá playas, hábitats, accesos y calidad de agua (pulsa para leer más)

Mito 5: Este camino será bueno para Rincón
Realidad 5: Este camino no cuenta con participación pública, otros proyectos municipales no han sido integrados, está desproporcionado y exageradamente costoso (pulsa para leer más)

Remember What's At Stake

The Proposed Bike Path and Pedestrian Trail

Remember What's At Stake:

"A Rinconvenient Truth"

Myth 1: It is a trail
Truth 1: It is a road (click to read more)

Myth 2: It follows the old train right of way
Truth 2: Many sections are built adjacent to the beach (click to read more)

Myth 3: The trail will connect Barrio Puntas to Pueblo
Truth 3: The road will be built in 2 phases. Phase 2 which includes the Domes Trail might be built at some future date (click to read more)

Myth 4: The trail will be green
Truth 4: The road will harm or destroy beaches, habitat, beach access and water quality (click to read more)

Myth 5: This trail will be good for Rincon
Truth 5: This trail failed to include public input, lacks integration with municipal projects, is overbuilt and outrageously expensive (click to read more)

The solution (click to read more)

What you can do...(click to read more)

Surfrider Corre las Olas Radiales

Surfrider estuvo con Toti Figueroa en su programa de entrevistas mañaneras, “Comunicando con Toti Figueroa” en WPRA 990 AM para discutir la verdad acerca del propuesto Paseo de Bicicletas y Peatones de Rincón. El formato del programa radial incluyó llamadas de oyentes y preguntas acerca del propuesto paseo de bicicletas. Muchas gracias a Toti por divulgar la “Verdad” a la comunidad.

Voluntaria de Surfrider Annette Blasini se sienta con Toti Figueroa para revelar la “Verdad” acerca del propuesto Paseo de Bicicletas y Peatones de Rincón.

Surfrider Rides the Airwaves

Surfrider joined Toti Figueroa on his morning talk show, "Comunicando con Toti Figueroa" on WPRA 990 AM to discuss the truth about the proposed Rincón Bike & Pedestrian Trail. The talk show format included calls from listeners and in depth questions about the proposed bike path. Many thanks to Toti for getting the “Truth” out to the community.

Surfrider volunteer Annette Blasini sits down with Toti Figueroa to get down to the "Truth" about the proposed Rincon Bike & Pedestrian Trail.

Surfrider Revela el Paseo de Bicicletas al Comité Porta del Sol

El Comité de Porta del Sol de la Asociación de Hotel y Turismo de Puerto Rico (PRHTA) se reunió en el Mayagüez Resort para discutir asuntos sobre el turismo para el área oeste de Puerto Rico. Hon. Norman Ramirez, Presidente de la Comisión de Turismo de la Cámara de Representantes, no asistió a la reunión y Surfrider ocupó el tiempo con una presentación de “unaverdadrinconveniente.” Para la mayoría de los asistentes, incluyendo Joanne Ferguson, Presidenta del Comité de Transportación del PRHTA, en esta reunión fue la primera vez que escucharon de este tal-llamado “proyecto de turismo y transportación.” Miembros de Porta del Sol quedaron atónitos con los planes para una calle de asfalto de 4m, y están comprometidos a investigar aún más y contactar la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico.

Surfrider Shines a Light on the Bikepath for the Porta del Sol Committee

The Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association’s (PRHTA) Porta del Sol Committee met at the Mayaguez Resort to discuss tourism issues for western Puerto Rico. Hon. Norman Ramírez, Chairman of the Tourism Commission of the House of Representatives, failed to make the meeting and Surfrider filled the slot with a presentation of “arinconvenienttruth.” For most of the attendees, including Ms. Joanne Ferguson, Chairwoman of the Transportation Committee of the PRHTA, this meeting was the first time they had heard of this so-called “tourism and transportation project.” Porta del Sol members were shocked by the plans for a 4m asphalt road, and are committed to research the issue further and to contact the PR Tourism Company.

DTOP Celebra Taller con Respecto al Paseo de Bicicletas y Peatones de Rincon

El Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas celebró apenas el segundo taller informativo sobre el paseo de bicicletas en siete años. Más de 300 personas asistieron el taller donde aprendieron que DTOP ya tiene todos los endosos, excepto el de ARPE, para construir el propuesto Paseo de Bicicletas.

La mayoría de la gente en asistencia presionó al Alcalde Carlos Lopez, al Dept. de Transportación y a la Administración Federal de Carreteras a re-diseñar el paseo de bicicleta con participación comunitaria.

Mira el video de la ponencia de Surfrider.

No es demasiado tarde...

Mas de 300 Personas Asistieron Taller

Pulsa para ver más fotos del taller

DTOP Holds Public Hearing regarding Rincón Bike and Pedestrian Trail

The PR Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) held its second hearing in seven years on the proposed Rincón Bike & Pedestrian Trail. More than 300 people attended the hearing where they learned that DTOP already has all the necessary permits, except for ARPE, to build the Bike Road.

The majority of the attendees urged Rincón's Mayor Carlos Lopez, DTOP and the Federal Highway Authority to redesign the path with community input.

Click here to watch Surfrider's Testimony from the hearing.

It's not too late to get involved.

Click to see more photos from the hearing

Reparos a ciclovía en Rincón

Activistas afirman que la ruta propuesta a lo largo de la costa agravaría la erosión.

Gladys Nieves Ramírez / gnieves@elnuevodia.com

RINCÓN - Miembros de la Fundación Surfrider hicieron un llamado ayer a los residentes de Rincón para que asistan esta noche a una vista sobre el paseo de bicicletas que el Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP) se propone construir a lo largo de la costa.

La activista ambiental, Annette Blasini, informó que les preocupa la magnitud del proyecto y sus efectos en la erosión, que anualmente está devorando un metro de la costa rincoeña.

Destacó que, según los planos del proyecto, el DTOP se propone construir una carretera de 15 pies de ancho, gran parte de ella sobre gaviones y murallas en la zona marítimo terrestre y áreas de anidaje de tortugas.

Agregó que en ciertos puntos del trayecto habrá puentes y plazas que no se han integrado a los proyectos que ya está construyendo el Municipio de Rincón, como la Plaza de la Amistad y la Ventana al Mar.
Blasini sostuvo que les preocupa, además, el mantenimiento del paseo y el hecho de que el fuerte oleaje en la costa de Rincón pueda socavar las murallas y la vía pueda desplomarse.

“Es una cosa monumental, fuera de proporción para Rincón. Pensamos que iba a ser algo más pequeño, un camino para bicicletas pero es una carretera grande que va a acelerar la erosión porque se convertirá en una barrera al flujo natural del oleaje. Cuando hablaron del paseo se presentó como algo bonito que iba a reducir el tráfico en Rincón, pero si miras los planos, te das cuenta que es otra cosa lo que están proponiendo”, afirmó.

El proyecto de cuatro millas, a un costo de cerca de $20 millones, comenzaría a construirse en el balneario público y continuaría hacia el área de Tres Palmas, donde se erigirá un puente de madera, hasta llegar a la playa Marías. Allí se construirá una plaza y luego continuará hacia Puntas en una segunda etapa.

La vista se llevará a cabo hoy a partir de las 6:00 p.m. en el Polideportivo de Rincón, informó Blasini, quien apuntó que será la primera oportunidad que los ciudadanos tienen para expresarse sobre el proyecto.

Google Map of Bike Path Solution

View Larger Map

Rincón Mayor Gets Rincónvenient News, But Did He Actually “Get It”?

Hon. Carlos López Bonilla allowed Surfrider to reveal the truth in a lengthy meeting in his private office in the new Alcaldía. The Mayor was joined by staffperson Juan Carlos and the two municipal representatives endured the entire “arinconvenienttruth” presentation and had the opportunity to review the actual construction documents from the Planning Board files. The Mayor expressed disbelief that the plans from the Planning Board were accurate. When pressed on how he could have endorsed a bike path without reviewing the construction documents, the Mayor could not provide an answer. Instead, Mayor López promised to contact Departmento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP) to learn more and to request a meeting in Rincón.

Rincón Blogger Peter Aviles followed up with his own meeting with the mayor and reported on his blog:

“We spoke to the Mayor about the bike path, who upon being confronted with a copy of the plans, immediately requested a meeting with the Public Works and Transportation Secretary. He wants to ensure that the bike path plans presented to him are correct and updated. He went on to say that he'll issue a position statement after his meeting. It appears that our Mayor was not fully aware of what was being planned for the most valuable natural treasure of his town.”
Fast forward to the November 8 hearing and it becomes evident that the Mayor is backing the existing plan.

Mess of the Week! -The Piñones Bike Path

In 2001 the Piñones Bike Path was the Winner of FHWA 2001 Environmental Excellence Award for Nonmotorized Transportation.




Just 6 years later the same project was featured at the Mess of the Week in July 16, 2007 edition of the San Juan Star. Check out the photo on the lower right.







The caption reads, " The Piñones Boardwalk designed as a walkway and bicycle route along the ocean in Piñones is rotting away. Lack of maintenance on the structure is creating a hazard, to the point that some of the wood planks are already missing."

Rincoeños Take Ride to DTOP to Discuss Proposed Bike Path

Ruperto Chaparro of SeaGrant, Carlos Carrero from UPRM’s Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios del Litoral (CIEL), and Surfrider’s Leon Richter met with senior Departmento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP) planning, legal and engineering staff to outline community concerns regarding the proposed Rincón Bike and Pedestrian Trail. Months after the “arinconvenienttruth” presentation, the community groups were asked to submit written comments.

Click here to download the Surfrider Bike Path Comments 9-25-07

These comments were sent on September 25, 2007 to:

Ing. Carlos González Miranda
Secretary & Executive Director
PR Department of Transportation (DTOP)

Gabriel A. Rodríguez, PP, MSCE
Strategic Planning Director
PR Department of Transportation (DTOP)

Antonio J. Barceló Hernández Esq.
Director - Right of Way Acquisition Area and Property Management
PR Department of Transportation (DTOP)

Roberto Fonseca
Acting Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Division Office

Municipalidad de Rincón

Honorable Carlos López Bonilla, Alcalde

April 26, 2007—DTOP surveyors (with tripods) mark inland points of path that will extend towards the water