Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on February 11, 2003

 

 

Attendance: David-Iman Adler (NYPCA), Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Kevin McLoughlin (City of Rensselaer), Don Odell (retired planner), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Paul Russell (Town of Colonie), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Angelika Harrington (CDTC), David Jukins (CDTC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

January 2003 minutes were approved.

 

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

2.1 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Update: Due to time constraints no update was given.

 

2.2 CDTC Community & Transportation Linkage Program: Due to time constraints no update was given.

 

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that meetings have been held with two of the three focused study areas. J. Purvis gave a brief presentation providing an overview of the proposed routes.  J. Purvis noted that a public meeting will possibly be held at the end of March in Cohoes.  J. Purvis reminded members that there are three additional study areas that will be discussed in the narrative of the report only.

 

3.2 Game Plan and Toolbox Update: Due to time constraints no update was given.

 

3.3 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell noted that the Canalway group is focusing on adopt-a- trail issues, primarily in Schenectady.

 

3.4 Guilderland Pathways Committee: Due to time constraints no update was given.

 

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: J. Purvis noted that CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Network needs to be updated as part of the Toolbox Update.  The following questions were posed to the task force: 1) Are there roads that should be added to the current network? 2) Should the eligibility criteria be modified?  3) What sort of attention should be given to roads on the network in regards to project funding?  4) Are there specific areas that warrant heightened priority? 5) Should off-road connections be included in the network?

 

Support was given for the inclusion of off-road connections (trails) to be included in the network. 

The following roads were mentioned as possible additions:         Albany Shaker Road (new alignment/extension, and trail), NY 470, 112th Street Corridor in Troy, State Bike Routes 5 and 9, Consaul Road, Sand Creek Road, Watervliet Shaker Road, and Broadway in Menands and Watervliet.  It was noted that regional connections be emphasized. It was also noted that eligibility criteria be less focused on the worst routes and more focused on enhancing and maintaining marginal routes. J. Purvis agreed to draft a letter to municipalities informing them of the update to the existing network, offering them opportunity for input.  Task Force members agreed to review the current BP Network and submit additions to the network at the next meeting. 

 

 

 

4.2 Other New business: I. Vamos noted and distributed copies of NYBC's new CD containing several tools for advocates and professionals to utilize in the improvement of bicycle and pedestrian safety. 

 

J. Purvis reported that the public meeting for the Slingerlands Bypass project had been held.  Comments are due on the 18th of February.  Both J. Purvis and D. Jukins attended from CDTC.  D. Jukins presented the Bicycle/Pedestrian elements of the project to the task force.  Concerns of CDTC staff and task force members were as follows: 1) the sidewalks do not connect well, especially on the Guilderland side. 2) The pathway is a nice feature, but it would be better if it extended to an easily accessible street in the city of Albany. (i.e. to Krumkill Rd, project limits) 3) The redesign of New Scotland Road (i.e. narrowing of pavement, bicycle/pedestrian friendly shoulder width), to enhance the quality of life along the corridor, was not included in project plans.  4) The overall width of the road is a little wide.  5) A signal is necessary at the Maher Road intersection in order to safely allow bicycle and pedestrian movements. 

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.