Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on May 5, 2003

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB),Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Dominick De Cecco (Retired), William Mackesey (Town of Clifton Park, SCHTC), Don Odell (Friends of MHBHT), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Sarah Kurpiel (CDTC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

April 2003 minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the 2nd public meeting was held at the Cohoes Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m.  The final maps and graphics were available for viewing at the meeting and at the current bike/ped task force meeting.  Jason noted that there was a small turnout for the meeting and that comments are still being accepted. An executive summary is available on CDTC’s website.

 

3.2 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: The bulk of the meeting was spent discussing the Albany and Rensselaer County portions of the proposed additions to the network.  T. La Salle provided a live GIS map of the existing and proposed facilities.  At the June meeting Saratoga and Schenectady Counties will be reviewed.  A summary of changes will be discussed, once all the counties have been reviewed.

 

3.3 Game Plan and Toolbox Update:  J. Purvis noted that a small workgroup met on Tuesday, April 29th to discuss the direction to take in the update of the Toolbox.  S. Kurpiel is gathering and compiling data to update the charts and graphs.  J. Purvis noted that existing maps and tables will be updated as well.  The group is also in the process of creating an inventory of Comprehensive/Master Plans within the region and whether or not they address bike/ped elements.  The group will continue to research what has occurred in bike/ped planning in the region since the original 1995 document.  The group will meet again on May 20th and June 18th.

 

3.4 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell noted that the next meeting will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, May 19th at ECOS.  D. Odell noted that ECOS has published a 60 page guide to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail titled, “Along the Bike-Hike Trail”.  D. Odell also noted that the eastern portion of the trail in Montgomery County should be completed by the end of the summer.  The western portion is expected to be completed by the summer of 2004. The Albany Heritage Area received a $5,000 grant for interpretive signage of the Hudson River Way Bridge from the Greenway.  CSX is abandoning a six mile segment of railroad tracks in Pattersonville.  NYS Parks is interested in obtaining the segment for trail development.  D. Odell noted that Saratoga County has sold potential Champlain Canal Trail lands to private landowners.  Lastly, D. Odell noted that Ralph Pascale, City of Cohoes presented an overview of the NY470 Project.

 

3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee: B. Quint reported that the public hearing for the town’s sidewalk master plan has not been held yet, but will probably take place sometime in July.  B. Quint reported that she had received a phone call from Gene Messercola, County Legislator, who is on the Public Works Committee.  He informed her that the Committee has approved a contract to repair and remodel the French’s Mill Road Bridge.  Work will begin as soon as it is passed by the legislature.  B. Quint reported that the Pathways Committee recently requested money allotted for an engineering study to put a bridge over the Blockhouse Creek.  L. Childs noted the Pathway’s recommendation of a proposed Bike Path along the NYS Thruway ROW from Exit 23 to Exit 25.

 

3.6 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: T. La Salle noted that preliminary work on the recreation/update of the map continues.  The size and general layout of the map will be based on the Old Croton Trailway State Park map.  T. La Salle inquired what additional features members would like to be included on the map.  Members requested that historic sites, parking areas (trailhead parking), and restrooms be included.  These facilities will be included if possible.

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1Other new business: I. Vamos brought attention to proposed legislation to allow Segways on sidewalks at high speeds.

 

E. Troy mentioned the NYSDOH’s walking campaign in Binghamton for persons aged 40 years and over.

 

J. Purvis reported that CDTC received a letter fro the legal representative for the Voorheesville RR track stating that abandonment of the line will be official on 5/21.  The preferential rights process should be complete by the end of the year.  Albany County is still interested in obtaining the land.

 

J. Purvis announced an upcoming APA Audio-conference to be held at CDTC from 4-5 p.m., on Wednesday, May 21st.  The audio-conference is titled “Planning for the Physically Active Community”.

 

 J. Purvis briefly mentioned a CDTC Linkage project concerning pedestrian access in the Village of Hoosick Falls.  There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at the Hoosick Falls Village Hall. 

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.