Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on June 12, 2007

 

 

Attendance: Martin Daley (Parks &Trails NY), Jim Levy (Latham resident), Sheena Salvino (Hudson River Valley Greenway), John Stangle (Town of Colonie), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The minutes from May’s meeting were approved without changes.

 

2.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

2.1 New Visions 2030—Discussion of status: J. Purvis noted that the Planning Committee approved the plan and the Policy Board approved the plan for Public Review.  The Quality Region Task Force will reconvene as part of the new plan.  After the Public Review period, the plan will go to the Policy Board in September for final approval.  CDTC must be SAFETEA-LU compliant by October 1st.  CDTC will be engaging in extra public involvement activities throughout the fall.  The plan will undergo final reaffirming in December by the Policy Board.

 

2.2 Game Plan and Toolbox Document—How it fits into New Visions: The updated Toolbox will serve as the bicycle and pedestrian component for New Visions 2030.  Most of the Task Force recommendations identified in the document will be strengthened and become CDTC policy.

 

2.3 Safe Routes to School Training: CDTC was invited to participate in a two day training session at NYSDOT Region 1 in early June. T. La Salle attended the training which was the same course offered last Fall downstate.  The content of the course did not focus on how the program will work in NYS, as NYSDOT is still working out the details of the program.  NYSDOT plans on offering training on the details of the program later this year.

 

2.4 Priority Network Update:  The Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network serves as the main performance measure of Bike/Ped progress. J. Purvis noted that in regards to pedestrian accommodations, we are ahead of target, but way behind target for bicycle accommodations. The first step in “updating” the network will be a review of the purpose of the network and its regional focus, for those task force members who are not that familiar with the network.  Once this is accomplished, the network will be reviewed to identify any major gaps.  The network will not undergo a major modification.

 

2.5 Other New Business: 

 

J. Purvis reported that CDTC is working on a joint study with NYSDOT that is looking at Hudson River Crossing’s.  The study is looking at all the river crossings on the Hudson beginning with the Patroon Island Bridge and emphasizing bike/ped accommodations on these connections.  The consultant team will be presenting this study to the Task Force in July or August.

 

J. Purvis noted that the Task Force will be moving toward a “workplan’ that will set focus areas for each year.

 

J. Purvis reported that the Town’s of Halfmoon and Clifton Park are looking into a bike/ped connection under the Twin Bridges as part of an existing TIP project.

 

M. Daley of Parks & Trails NY noted that he has replaced Terry Conway.  He also shared “Stop, Watch, & Walk” brochures form Parks & Trails NY with the Task Force.

M. Daley also reported on efforts to make trail connections through Green Island, including a handout illustrating possible connections.  He noted that the D&H Railroad has filed for a second abandonment between the Town of Colonie and Tibbits Avenue in Green Island.  CDTC’s 2003 Crossroads Connections Linkage Study explored several possible connections in this area.

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.