Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of the Meeting on December 11, 2012

Attendance: Linda Von der Heide (Rensselaer County), Mary Harding (NSYDOT SRTS), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Gina Gillooley (NYSDOH), Mike Lyons (Town of Colonie), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Ed Tremblay (City of Cohoes), Elaine Troy (NYS DOH), Kate Lawrence (City of Albany), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Christine Marshall (Village of Altamont), Mike Paris (NYSOFA), Rob Leslie (Bethlehem) Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 New Business

1.1 Transportation Alternatives (Guidance from FHWA)

The Transportation Alternatives funding is new under MAP-21. It combines many of the stand-along bike/ped funding sources (TEP, SRTS, Rec Trails) into a single program. Most of the activities that were eligible under the stand alone programs will still be eligible under TA. Jason attempted to go through the interim guidance released by FHWA (www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/guidance/guidetap.cfm ). The amount of funding and exactly what type of activities will be funded is still unknown.

1.2 Safe Routes to School

M. Harding shared that all of the regional review information has been received by Main Office. The statewide review for non-infrastructure only applications is also complete. An announcement of funding is expected soon.

1.3 CMAQ/Spot Solicitation

Applications for two funding solicitations were due on December 7^th. Jason indicated that the number of applications received was uncharacteristically low. The Planning Committee will determine how/if any remaining funds will be spent. There was discussion that possibilities for a lower than expected response could include, a) the risk associated with having to have the project obligated by October 2014 and b) limited opportunity for the municipalities to get budget approval for the matching requirements.

1.4 Scheduling of January-June 2013 meetings

The group decided on the following dates for the first half of 2013. The meetings will continue to be on Tuesday mornings from 9:00-10:30am.

January 8

February 12

March 12

April 9

May 14

June 11

1.5 Local Project Updates

· E. Tremblay indicated that when Cohoes receives approval from NYSDOT on the solicitation and bids of the Black Bridge project, they will sign a contract. Ed also mentioned that construction on the bike trails is complete for the season and will pick back up in the spring. Cohoes is hoping for a Memorial Day weekend opening for the trail.

· D. Odell shared that a new ghost bike was installed on Washington Avenue in memory of the recent cyclist fatality that received a lot of press. A memorial was held at the ghost bike location on December 4^th.

· K. Lawrence indicated that the next Albany Bike Share/Wayfinding public meeting is scheduled for January 22^nd at the College of St. Rose. Kate also indicated that striping in the City is complete for the season. There is a map of existing bike infrastructure viewable at http://albanyny.gov/_files/Albany%20Bike%20Plan%20Update%20Breakdown.pdf

· M. Lyons said that the Town of Colonie’s Safe Routes to School project from Round 1 went out for bid with construction expected in 2013.

· I. Vamos shared an article about the Willis Avenue Swing Bridge in NYC. It has excellent bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. The bridge was fabricated in the Albany area and the hope is the ‘lesson’ from NYC can be transferred to the Capital Region.

Ivan also reported that NYBC received correspondence from the Governor’s office indicating that all 3 design options for the new Tappan Zee Bridge would include bicycle infrastructure.

· G. Gillooley reminded us (again) that she has an upcoming tropical vacation. Task Force members are not invited.

1.6 “They Just Don’t Get It”

NYBC expressed their concerns about the NYSDOT 2 year capital plan not addressing bicycling and pedestrians.

2.0 Upcoming Events

Meetings Open to the Public:

NEXT CDTC BIKE & PED TASK FORCE MEETING: January 8, 2013 9:00 AM