Capital
District Transportation Committee
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on July 15, 2003
Attendance: Lindsay Childs (Guilderland
Pathways), Jesse Day (NYBC), Dom De Cecco (Retired Legislator), David Gehrs
(CDTA Planning), Andy Labruzzo (Albany Co. Planning), Kevin McLoughlin (NYPCA),
Ralph Pascale (Cohoes), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Bob Speece
(NYSDOT Region 1), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), John Stangle (Village of
Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy
Heart), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)
1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW
B Quint noted the following amendment to the June 2003
minutes: "3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee",
"Legislator" should read, "Legislature".
2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES
3.0 ONGOING TASKS
3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the grant is
near completion. The draft document is
currently being reviewed. Completion is
expected within a few weeks. When
complete the study will be available on the web. Additionally, J. Purvis noted that a Linkage
Study on the Rensselaer side of the river will begin
soon.
3.2 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority
Network: J. Purvis noted that he needs to meet with David Jukins and
Deborah Stacey of the CDTC staff to finalize the Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority
Network.
3.3 Game Plan and Toolbox
Update: J. Purvis reported that the Toolbox working
group is making progress and will be presenting some material to the task force
at the August meeting. J. Purvis noted
that sue to construction, CDTC interns have been unable to complete all of the
comparison counts.
3.4 Canalway Initiative: No update was
given.
3.5
Guilderland
Pathways Committee: J. Purvis reported that neither FHWA nor NYSDOT have policy regulations
prohibiting the proposed Thruway Trail. J. Purvis noted that there may still be
feasibility issues. L. Childs reported
that the Pathways group may pursue a possible boat launch at the Nott Road Park as part of the Normanskill
study. B. Quint noted that work
continues on the development of Guilderland’s Master Plan for trails. L. Childs reported that there is no visible
progress on the French’s Mill Bridge.
3.6
Mohawk Hudson
Bike Hike Trail Map update: A. Labruzzo requested the GIS files for the bikemap. T. La Salle noted that she had received
comments from Ivan Vamos. T. La Salle also noted that she just
received a GIS file of many of the Trailhead Parking areas along the
trail. Specifics of the map were
discussed including map layout, detail and attributes. Work on the map will continue as time
allows. Printing options were discussed
at length.
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1Other new business: K. McLoughlin noted that
approximately 400 riders participated in the Canal ride from Buffalo to Albany. Participants came from 39 different states
and Canada.
A.
Labruzzo inquired whether or not CDTC maintained an electronic version of the
map distribution list. J. Purvis noted
that requests from individuals are maintained in a LabelMaker database.
B.
Speece announced that he is the acting Bike/Ped Coordinator for NYSDOT Region
1.
J.
Purvis noted that Saratoga Open Space has been awarded a $100,000 trail
development.
E. Troy noted that she attended the recent Canalway Charrette regarding Scrafford Lane. About thirty people were in attendance,
including a representative from the Railroad. The main debate focused on the
options of a bridge or a tunnel at the site.
No conclusions were made at the meeting. Several other issues were
discussed including the need for more trail signage (way finding), trail
beautification, and handicapped accessibility.
There will be a follow-up public meeting.
J.
Purvis noted that an education facility in Massachusetts is putting together a
report of collaborating departments of health and transportation
professionals. NYSDOH and CDTC’s
relationship is being highlighted as one of several case studies. A final report will be provided to the task force
when it becomes available.
J.
Day noted that NYBC is working on a Statewide Safe Routes to School Grant
A.
Labruzzo provided an update on the D&H railroad abandonment. Albany Count has been granted a request to
acquire the property. Albany County has until January 2004 to
negotiate the acquisition of the Corridor with CP Rail. The cost of acquisition is $700,000. The County is currently working with Scenic
Hudson on possible funding.
R.
Pascale noted an error in the brochure for the Erie Canal Ride. R. Pascale reported that the City of Cohoes has applied for a grant for
trail development form the Green Island Bridge to 112ths Street through
the Land and Conservation Grant. The
city is currently debating with Parks regarding property from Ontario St to Peebles Island. Cohoes also has a project on the
TIP for pedestrian enhancements at the Green Island Bridge.
J.
Purvis noted that there had been a request to hold the task force meetings
earlier in the day, in an attempt to get more municipalities to attend. The August meeting will be held at 1:00
p.m.
on Tuesday the 12th.
5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS
-
The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at the CDTC
Offices.