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.