Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on December 14, 2004

 

 

Attendance:   Rich Karis (New York State Canal Design Bureau), David Hudda (New York State Canal Design Bureau), Salim Adler (PTNY), Judy Breselor (Rensselaer County), Jessica DesLauriers (HRVG), Jesse Day (NYBC), Joshua Poppel (Downtube Bicycle Shop), Howard Halstead (Friends of the MHBHT), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH), Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), David Gehrs (CDTA),  Scott Lewendon (Clough Harbour), Michael Lyons (Town of Colonie), William Mackesey (Town of Clifton Park), Don Odell (Retired),  John Stangle (Village of Menands),  Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart),  Ivan Vamos (NYBC),   Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The November 2004 meeting minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

2.1 Presentation--Extension of trail from Rotterdam into Montgomery County

 

Rich Karis and David Hudda of the New York State Canal Design Bureau gave a powerpoint presentation of the extension of the Canalway Trail (MHBHT) from Amsterdam to Rotterdam Junction.  The overall length of the proposed segment is 8.4 miles.  The extension will incorporate over a mile of existing trail in Rotterdam and utilize old railroad beds for most of the length.

 

Four major crossings were identified.  They are at the Callanan Industries site, Route 5S, over the CSX railroad and finally at the Guilford Rail line. 

 

The project was funded through the TEA-21 Enhancement Program and construction costs are expected to be around $3M.  Preliminary designs and route alignments are currently being worked on and a paved surface is being considered.  CDTC will receive a copy of the draft design report when it is finished.  The project is expected to be let in early 2007.

 

2.2 Presentation--Canalway Trail Project Connecting Cohoes and Waterford

 

Salim Adler of  Parks and Trails New York gave a powerpoint presentation of the Canalway project to connect the existing trail to the Waterford Visitors’ Center.  The purpose of this study is to provide a recommended route for linking the Erie Canalway Trail to Waterford, the Eastern Gateway of the New York State Canal System.

 

Existing trail initiatives were looked at including the Erie Canalway Trail, the Champlain Canalway Trail and the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail.

 

The study produced three recommendations/route options.  The primary connection would use Manor Avenue, Mohawk Street and cross the Route 32 bridge into Waterford.  The secondary connection would use High Street, NY 470 and Delaware Avenue.  This is consistent with the MHBHT Crossroads Connection Study.  The third option is to use the Enlarged Erie Canal Loop.  It is anticipated that interpretive and wayfinding signage will be incorporated into any implementation option.


The full document is available in PDF at www.ptny.org/pdfs/cohoesstudy.pdf or you can contact Salim at
sadler@ptny.org for more information.

 

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Guilderland Pathways Committee: No one was present from the Pathways Committee.

 

3.2 Fulton Street Bridge

              

J. Purvis noted that the recent correspondence related to the Fulton Street Bridge was attached in the mailout.  Salim mentioned that this bridge is expected to be part of the connection to Waterford.

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

 

4.1 Other New Business: 

 

M. Cashman noted that he has heard many good things about the new MHBHT maps.

 

J. Day mentioned that there is meeting of the Albany County Bike Coalition on Thursday 12/16 at 7pm at the public library.  J. Day also handed out the latest version of the NYBC newsletter.

 

The Institute for Healthy Infrastructure (iHi) is developing a conference to be held on March 18, 2005.  Conference topics can be seen on www.nybc.net.

 

I. Vamos discussed the current communications with NIMO regarding the trail at the EPA clean up site in Rensselaer County.  Conference calls continue to be scheduled to discuss the options.

 

J. Breselor thanked Ivan for the amount of effort put into the Rensselaer County Trail project.

 

S. Adler stated that PTNY is working on a trails conference to be held in June 05 in New Paltz.  J. Purvis and D. Spicer sit on the planning committee for this conference.

 

D. Spicer is working with Eric Ophardt to try and put together safe routes to school projects throughout the State.

 

4.2 Scheduling of 2005 meetings

 

The following Task Force meetings were scheduled for 2005. 

 

Tuesday January 11th

Tuesday February 8th

Tuesday March 8th

Tuesday April 12th

Tuesday May 10th

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-        The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.