PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting
Minutes
April 4,
2012
MEMBERS
ATTENDING
William Anslow, Albany County
Melissa Ashline-Heil, City of Cohoes
Bradley Birge, City of Saratoga Springs
Frank Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Robert Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Peter Comenzo, Town of Rotterdam
Frank Commisso, Albany Port Authority
Kevin Corcoran, Town of Glenville
Ross Farrell, Capital District Transportation Authority
Steve Feeney, Schenectady County
Rocky Ferraro, Capital District Regional Planning
Commission
Nadine Fuda, Town of Schodack
David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Andrew Kreshik, City of Troy
Joe LaCivita, Town of Colonie
Patrick McCarroll, representing Michael Loftus, NYS
Thruway
Authority
Barbara McHugh, Town of Clifton Park
Mike Morelli, Town of Bethlehem
Rosemary Nichols, City of Watervliet
Paul Reuss, Village of Menands
Dede Rudolph, City of Albany
Stephen Strichman, City of Schenectady
Joseph Teliska, representing Wayne Bonesteel, Rensselaer
County
STAFF AND
OTHERS
Ann Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jennifer Ceponis, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Joe Cimino, Clough Harbour Associates
Mike Cooper, Bergmann Associates
Darrell Duncan, Albany County
Bob Hansen, Creighton Manning
Karen Hulihan, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Larry Mulvaney, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
John O’Sullivan, City of Schenectady
Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee
Osvaldo Priotti, City of Rensselaer
Heidi Romines, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Carrie Ward, Capital District Transportation Authority
Ed Wolk, Capital District Transportation Authority
VISITORS
ISSUES
David Jukins opened the meeting at approximately 9:34 AM. There were no visitor’s issues.
ACTION ITEMS
ADMINISTRATION
Approval of
the February 1, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Members approved the February 1st minutes.
TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
SA217
(1757.36), Crescent Road Bike and Pedestrian Improvements
Barb McHugh explained that this project has experienced
unanticipated cost increases related to unforeseen design requirements such as
more guiderail. The project extends for
1.2 miles, encourages walkability and connects two towns, two crosswalks,
residences, shopping, office buildings and an elementary school. Members approved the amendment as presented.
S175
(1755.37), CR 103 over Normanskill
Steve Feeney explained that two main contributors to
cost increases for the project were the need to use costly micro-piles in the
foundations and the need for two project inspectors. There was discussion about the maintenance
and protection of traffic (MPT) for the project. It was explained that MPT costs were the
subject of a previous TIP amendment, and were already addressed by the Planning
Committee at a previous meeting. Frank
Bonafide explained that although HBRR funding is tight, the fact that this
project is ready to go makes it a strong candidate for this amendment. Members approved the TIP amendment as
presented.
S189
(1758.06), New Traffic Signal at the Intersection of Providence Avenue and
Hillside Avenue
This amendment was presented for information purposes;
no action was needed because the cost change was less than $0.250M.
Ten Rail
crossing Projects: R303 (1932.08), R304 (1932.24), R305 (1932.25), S210
(1932.26), R306 (1932.42), SA269 (1932.91), S211 (1933.18), S270 (1933.19),
A534 (1933.20), RG40 (1T09.94)
Frank
Bonafide explained that the rail crossings program is managed out of the Main
Office, and there is one statewide pot of money that can only be used for rail
crossing projects. The Main Office
decided that these ten projects have a high statewide priority. Money was taken from a STIP set aside. Members approved the ten rail crossing
project amendments as presented.
CERTIFICATION
REVIEW
Dave
Jukins explained that the Certification Review for CDTC is under way. Last week, FHWA and FTA met with CDTC
staff. Several Planning Committee
members stopped by, and others have been in touch with FHWA and FTA by
phone. There will be another chance to
comment once the draft certification report is released early this Summer.
DISPOSITION
OF UPWP COMMENTS
Dave Jukins
reviewed comments received on the UPWP, including a
comment from East Greenbush Police Chief Chris Lavin requesting more emphasis
on traffic signals and intersection management. The CDTC response to Chief
Lavin explained that CDTC efforts support operational improvements to signals;
and that the Regional Operations Committee will be considering various regional
activities related to signal improvements. Staff responded to all UPWP comments.
TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
TIP
Update/New York Works Infrastructure Program
Dave Jukins explained that at the emergency meeting of
the Policy Board (by conference call on March 9, 2012), CDTC endorsed the
addition of two statewide projects to the STIP and TIP: RG122, Accelerated
Pavement Preservation Program, and RG123, Accelerated Bridge Program. CDTC endorsement gives permission to the
State to implement those parts of the bridge and pavement programs planned for
the Capital District. Both projects
represent statewide lists of projects that were not yet finalized at the March
9 meeting. Subsequently, lists of
projects were finalized. A partial list
of projects was included for information in the Planning Committee mail out.
Dave Jukins explained that although the process was
different than normal, because of the urgency, a decision was made that the
process used to approve RG122 and RG123 was the best approach. Frank Bonafide
stated that NYSDOT staff appreciates CDTC support, and that projects were
selected by Region 1.
A handout was distributed by NYSDOT at the meeting which
provided a list of New York Works projects in the Capital District (a press
release from the Governor’s office). A
second handout was distributed (an April 3, 2012 letter to John Poorman) which
described TIP changes required for the Patroon Island Bridge Rehabilitation project.
Dave Jukins stated that discussion was necessary about
appropriate Planning Committee action for the Patroon Island Bridge
project. Andrew Kreshik asked if full
replacement of the bridge should be considered.
Frank Bonafide explained that rehabilitation was the most cost effective
approach. Dave Jukins explained that
rehabilitation was consistent with the CDTC Hudson River Crossings Study, which
found that capacity expansion of the Patroon Island Bridge is not needed and
would not be appropriate.
Steve Feeney and Steve Strichman raised concerns about
the Western Gateway Bridge project. They
commented that bicycle and pedestrian access improvements should be
incorporated into the deck reconstruction, and that the cost of such
improvements would be minimal compared to the $18.105M project cost. Frank Bonafide said that he will check to see
if the requested features can be, or perhaps already are, incorporated into the
project. Dave Jukins stated that John
Poorman had written to Commissioner McDonald expressing his concern that
recommendations of CDTC Linkage studies should be incorporated NY Works
projects wherever possible.
Brad Birge commented that complete streets legislation
should be applicable to the Western Gateway Bridge, and that the capacity
already exists on the bridge for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Steve Feeney stated that the existing right
of way should be large enough, especially if lane widths are reduced. Rocky Ferraro commented that failing to make
these improvements now could mean losing a once in a generation opportunity.
Rosemary Nichols commented that sharrows and a bike lane
should be included in the Congress Street Bridge. Frank Bonafide stated that sharrows are on
hold for the State until a statewide policy is developed.
Frank Bonafide requested Planning Committee approval for
the TIP amendment for the Patroon Island Bridge project as documented in the
handout. He stated that this approval
would be needed to allow for a thirty day public review prior to the Policy
Board action on the amendment. Members approved the TIP amendment for the
Patroon Island Bridge project. (Subsequent to the Planning Committee
meeting, it was determined that Policy Board approval of the Patroon Island TIP
amendment is not required, because CDTC thresholds for Policy Board action were
not exceeded for this amendment.)
Frank Bonafide explained that other projects on the list
do not require TIP amendments. He stated
that the Northway Twin Bridges project does not require a TIP amendment, but
rather requires CDTC approval to support the project, since it was already
approved at the emergency Policy Board meeting on March 9. Glenn Posca expressed the opinion that if the
project is to be shown as an individual project on the TIP, it requires an
amendment approved by the Policy Board.
Frank Bonafide said that it can be approved as an administrative
modification. The Planning Committee did
not want another emergency Policy Board meeting if it could be avoided. A motion was made to approve the Twin Bridges
project and any necessary action by the Policy Board if required. The motion was approved by members. (Subsequent
to the meeting, CDTC staff determined that Policy Board action is not required
for the following reasons: the Policy Board approved this project as part of a
list of projects on March 9, 2012; the CDTC TIP project selection guidelines do
not address adding a project to the TIP from a Statewide project list already
approved by CDTC; and the Planning Committee considered it preferable to act on
its own to address the NYSDOT request for approval to place this project on the
TIP. This action will be reported to the Policy Board at its next meeting.)
2013-18 TIP
Update/NYSDOT Capital Program Update
Dave Jukins explained that because the STIP will need to
be updated next year, CDTC must begin the process for a TIP update. Since Congress has not approved a new federal
transportation bill, there is great uncertainty about how much funding will be
available for the TIP update. NYSDOT and
CDTC will need to make some reasonable assumptions about expected funding and
proceed. Staff anticipates county level
meetings about project status and costs, and estimates of future allocations to
be developed this summer. NYSDOT is
expected to update its Capital Program.
Ozzie Priotti asked when there would be a chance to add new projects. Dave Jukins explained that theoretically that
would be this update cycle, but it will depend on the allocations of federal
funds.
FEDERAL
TRANSPORTATION BILL AUTHORIZATION
The working assumption is that Congress may continue to
continue extending the old bill through the end of the calendar year.
STATUS OF
PLANNING ACTIVITES
CDRPC
Rocky Ferraro reported that CDRPC is proceeding with their
efforts as the region’s Climate Smart Communities Coordinator under a program
sponsored by NYSERDA. They will be
developing greenhouse gas emissions inventory from a variety of sectors,
building on existing efforts. Population
forecasts are completed, and waiting for completion of age cohort forecasts,
which are under way.
CDTC
Dave Jukins explained that staff would like to work with
the Planning Committee to develop boiler plate regional projects that everyone
is comfortable with that could be submitted on short notice when federal
announcements for special funding programs occur. A potential example of such a project would
be the CDTC greenways plan. This is a
topic for future conversation.
CDTA
Ross Farrell reported that CDTA service planning
continues, with Phase 2 of the Albany County restructuring under
development. Five to six public meetings
are anticipated. CDTA is planning
changes to the Northway NX service. CDTA
anticipates release of an RFP for the Washington Western Alternatives Analysis
in May or June. The CDTA Park and Ride
Study is near final approval. The new
Morton Avenue bus route has been well received.
NYSDOT
Frank Bonafide reported that Region 1 staff would be
moving to Wolf Road by Monday April 9th. He reported the following projects which were
let:
·
Clinton Avenue Viaduct, let at $20.7M
·
Washington Fuller, let at $14.8M
·
Route 378 over the Hudson Rehab, let at $9.0M
·
I-87 Paving from the Twin Bridges to Exit 10, $8.3M
Rob Cherry reported on the I-87/US 9 Integrated Corridor
Management Study. A public meeting was
held in March, with good newspaper articles covering the meeting. The Study will identify ways to make the
facilities operate more efficiently.
NYSDOT and CDTC attended workshops in Malta for the Linkage Study. The Town has been receptive to NYSDOT’s
concern that development should be encouraged parallel to Route 9 rather than
on Route 9 due to the high cost of reconstructing Route 9 as a main street.
New York
State Thruway Authority
Patrick McCarroll reported that the Thruway project
between Exit 23 and Exit 24 is under construction, with all traffic moved to
the northbound side of the facility.
Next year, the opposite side will be under construction.
Albany Port
Authority
Frank Commisso reported that the Port is doing well,
with tonnage and man hours both up.
Rensselaer
County
Joe Teliska expressed thanks to Glenn Posca and the
staff for helping with getting the Rensselar County bridge project out to bid.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:20 PM. The next Planning Committee meeting is
scheduled for May 2, 2012.
The next Policy Board Meeting is scheduled for June 7, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
David P. Jukins