Capital District Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on November 13, 2007

Attendance: Martin Daley (Parks & Trails NY), Rob Leslie (Town of Bethlehem), James Levy (Latham Resident), William Mackesey (Town of Clifton Park), Raj Malhotra (NYSDOT Region 1), Kelly Mateja (Town of Colonie), Peter Melewski (Bergmann Associates), Don Odell (ABC), Jeff Olson (Alta Planning), Joshua Poppel (NYBC), Kurt Seitz ( SUNY Albany Graduate Student), John Stangle (Town of Colonie), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Jennifer Viggiani (Town of Clifton Park), Mike Alba (CDTC), Teresa LaSalle (CDTC), Chris O’Neill (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 NEW BUSINESS

1.1 Hudson River Crossing Study (Bike/Ped elements)—Presentation:

By study consultant team – Bergmann Associates/Alta Planning.

An overview of the bicycle and pedestrian elements of this multimodal study concerning the Dunn Memorial, Livingston Avenue, Patroon Island, and Menands Bridges was presented. All four bridges need bicycle and pedestrian improvements and are non-ADA compliant. Comments regarding this study should be submitted to Jason by the end of November for forwarding to the study consultants.

1.2 Safe Routes to School (Program Update)—short presentation by Jason: J. Purvis provided a brief presentation of the program. A link to the DOT materials is posted on CDTC’s homepage. For complete information on the program visit NYSDOT’s website www.nysdot.gov/safe-routes-to-schools

1.3 Scheduling of meetings for January – June 2008: Due to time constraints this item will be moved to December’s agenda.

1.4 Priority Network—follow up from October meeting: Due to time constraints this item will be moved to December’s agenda.

1.5 Other New Business:

J. Purvis requested input on an upcoming NYSDOT project on NYS Route 5 Central Avenue in the Town and Village of Colonie. The original project limits were from NYS Route 155 New Karner Road to Fuller Road. NYSDOT has requested to extend the project from Fuller Road to the Town of Colonie/Albany City Line. The project is a “mill and fill” project proposed with a 12 foot median, (2) 11 foot inside travel lanes, and (2) 14 foot shared use outside travel lanes. The project is curbed with sidewalks the full length.

CDTC is concerned with the 14 foot shared use outside travel lanes and requested feedback regarding this option in comparison to a striped 3 foot shoulder with drainage gutters. The Task Force felt that the speeds are too high on this section of Central Avenue for the shared-use lane to be effective and safe. The preference is for a striped shoulder (not marked as a bike lane). Understanding the substandard width and the potential conflict with the drainage grates, members still would prefer the shoulder. Members feel it gives both the motorist and the cyclist a psychological advantage. Drivers would better expect a bicyclist to be sharing the road and cyclists have a sense of where the traffic should be. CDTC will formalize this feedback and share it NYSDOT.

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

1.2 Safe Routes to School (Program Update)—short presentation by Jason: J. Purvis provided a brief presentation of the program. A link to the DOT materials is posted on CDTC’s homepage. For complete information on the program visit NYSDOT’s website www.nysdot.gov/safe-routes-to-schools

1.3 Scheduling of meetings for January – June 2008: Due to time constraints this item will be moved to December’s agenda.

1.4 Priority Network—follow up from October meeting: Due to time constraints this item will be moved to December’s agenda.

1.5 Other New Business:

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, 2007 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.