Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on May 13, 2008

 

Attendance: James Levy (WSA/Latham Resident), Joshua Poppel (Alta Planning & Design), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Jeff Gritsavage (NYSDOT), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1 Planning), Kelly Mateja (Town of Colonie), Jason Purvis (CDTC), Jen Ceponis (CDTC), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC)

 

1.0   New Business

 

1.1  Safe Routes to School – J. Purvis announced CDTC’s recommendations for funding to NYSDOT Region 1.  It was added that NYSDOT Region 1 will ultimately make the final decision of applicants recommended for funding.  Concerns, particularly over the value of infrastructure projects vs. non-infrastructure projects, were raised by various attendees.  B. Malhotra encouraged applicants to submit letters to NYSDOT with comments on the application process for future re-evaluation of the program and application evaluation process.

 

1.2  Spot Improvement Program – As per the Planning Committee, Spot Improvement solicitations will go out in June.  NYSDOT Region 1 has typically used a streamlined NEPA, design and construction process however; federal regulations are making it more difficult to use the abbreviated process.  Projects will have to remain small and fairly simple to achieve the goals of the program.  Therefore, the initial project evaluation criteria will become stricter and will screen out projects that have obstacles, such as historic resources, right-of-way acquisition and/or environmental issues. 

 

1.3  Transportation Enhancement Program -- J. Purvis reminded everyone that 6 copies of the TEP project applications are due on June 27th and should be sent to Wilson Moore at NYSDOT Region 1.

 

1.4  Set-asides for TIP – Projects will be evaluated before the July Planning Committeemeeting.  It was originally anticipated that bicycle/pedestrian project evaluation would be completed before May, however CDTC feels that further discussion and evaluation of the applications is needed.  It was felt that in order to have the ability to move projects from one set-aside to another required a full evaluation of all projects.

 

1.5  Capital Bike Month Events – J. Poppel announced the Tuesday’s (5/13) legislative breakfast was a success and anticipates the building of bike safety education programming in the near future.  Bike to Work Day is Friday (5/16) and all were encouraged to register even if not riding their bicycle to work.

 

1.6  They just don’t get it -- Nothing new was reported.

 

1.7  Local Project Updates

 

A. Altamont Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan – A request for interest has been released in the Contract Reporter.  Proposals are due on Friday June 6th.

 

B. Albany Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan – A detailed scope of work is being developed by the City and CDTC. Once complete, it will be advertised in the NYS Contract Reporter

 

C. Cohoes Linkage Study – The study has been completed and study documents will be posted to the CDTC website.

 

D. Exit 26 Linkage Project – The final public presentation was made and final documents will be posted to the website.  Several recommendations were made to make the trail crossing at Route 5S safer.

 

E. Town of Colonie Central Avenue Raised Median – The town has rejected the offer to have a raised median on Central Ave in front of the Northway Mall due to maintenance considerations.

 

1.8  July-December 2008 Meeting Schedule – The Task Force meeting schedule was set for the rest of 2008.  The dates are as follows:

July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 18 and December 9. 

 

J. Gritsavage was chosen for the Albany Comprehensive Plan Committee.  Art on Lark is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 and Lark Street will be closed to cars to improve pedestrian safety.  Business activity on Lark Street has increased the last few months. 

 

2.0  Upcoming Events

 

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2008 at 4:30 PM