Capital
District Transportation Committee
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on July 8, 2008
Attendance: Martin Daley (Parks &
Trails NY), Ross Farrell (CDTA), Rob Leslie (Town of Bethlehem), Jim Levy
(Consultant/Niskayuna Resident), Don Odell (ABC), Fred Thompson (Friends of
MHBHT), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart Program), Michael Williams (CDTA), Jamie
Ceplar (CDTC), Teresa LaSalle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)
1.0 NEW BUSINESS
1.1 Erie Canal Towpath
Connector Trail – Clifton Park & Halfmoon: J. Purvis noted that this will be the topic
of a presentation at the August Task Force meeting.
1.2 Spot
Improvement Program: J. Purvis reported that solicitations are out
and due August 29th. Projects containing Environmental and
Historical constraints will be screened out.
These funds are geared for small capital projects and full design
documents will be necessary. Additional
information can be found on CDTC’s website.
1.3 Transportation
Enhancement Program: J. Purvis reminded attendees
that applications for TEP projects were due June 27th.
NYSDOT is currently reviewing for
eligibility. CDTC is putting together a
review committee composed of several agencies.
A total of 28 applications were received for all of NYSDOT Region
1. The applications received within
CDTC’s Planning Area as follows: Albany County -7, Rensselaer County-2, Saratoga County – 9, and Schenectady County – 2. The total amount of available funds is still
unknown. CDTC will be receiving
applications for review in the next few weeks.
1.4 Set-asides for TIP: J. Purvis distributed a handout of the
results for the Bike/Ped project category.
1.5 Local Project Updates:
1.51 Altamont Linkage
J.
Purvis announced that Alta Planning has been selected as the study consultant. The Study Kick-Off Meeting will be held on
July 16th. As part of the data collection effort for this study,
CDTC’s interns collected and mapped an existing condition of Village sidewalks.
1.52 City of Albany Linkage
J.
Purvis noted that CDTC will be meeting with the City to flush out the
scope. They are hoping to have an REI in
the NYS Contract Reporter by the end of July.
1.6
Articles
“They just don’t get it….”: Nothing to report.
1.7 Other New Business:
T.
LaSalle noted CDTC’s student interns are in the process of completing an
off-road MHBHT signage inventory using GPS, which will verify the existing
signed on-road portions. They have
completed the off-road portion of the trail in Schenectady County. The data inventory includes photographs of
all existing signs as well as notes, such as whether or not a sign is facing
the wrong direction or covered by vegetation.
This inventory can be used to relay information to the organizations
responsible for installing and maintaining the signage as well as to aid in the
mapping of the on-road portions of the trail.
A map of the current inventory was distributed.
J.
Levy noted that the Exit 26 Linkage Study has been completed.
M.
Daley provided an update regarding the ongoing trail/ RR corridor issue in Green Island.
R.
Farrell noted that Michael Williams is riding the 21X route into Altamont, as part of his data
collection efforts for Bike Rack Usage on CDTA Buses. M. Williams shared a draft survey with the
group for discussion.
E. Troy noted that the Glens Falls Police Department is looking into
purchasing Segways. On a related note,
she also mentioned that legislation is being considered to provide Segways with
the same on-road rights as bicycles.
E. Troy reported that the Healthy Heart contractor in Glens Falls maintains a good
rapport with the City and the School District and has money
available to work with AGFTC for programs along the same line as Safe Routes to
School. The program is called “Active
Commute to School Act”.
F.
Thompson stated his concerns with the sign posted at the MHBHT crossing at Aqueduct Rd., which reads “Walk
Your Bike Across, Vehicular Traffic Has The Right Of Way”.
J.
Purvis noted that Saleem Adler of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation, will be giving a presentation at the August Task Force
meeting regarding the Saratoga Spa State Park Master Plan, including trail
connections.
J.
Purvis reported that the list of preferred Safe Routes to School projects that
NYSDOT Region1 sent to NYSDOT Main Office is not the same list that CDTC
recommended for funding. Announcements
are expected the week before school begins.
3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS
The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian
Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2008 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.