CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Geoff Bornemann, City of
Peter Comenzo, Town of
Frank Commisso, Albany Port District Commission
Fred Howard,
Stephen Iachetta,
David Rettig, NYSDOT Region 1
Dede Rudolph, City of
Phil Serafino,
John Stangle, Town of
Michael Valentine,
Steve Watts, Town of
STAFF AND OTHERS
Robert Hansen, NYSDOT Region
1
Jack Kelley,
Jeff Lipnicky, Town of
Sandra Misiewicz, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Sree Nampoothiri, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Fred Mastroianni, Foit-Albert
Associates
Dennis O’Malley, Village of
Paul Reuss,
Steve Szanto, Luther Forest
Technology Campus
John Tozzi,
VISITORS ISSUES
Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately
Action Items
ADMINISTRATION
Approval
of the
The minutes of the
UNIFIED
PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
Closeout
Budget Revisions
Mr. Poorman summarized the previously-distributed
material on the Luther Forest Technology Campus transportation plan. The Round Lake Bypass has received state
funding commitment. Dave Rettig reported
that the funding will come from existing upstate NYSDOT state funding
allocations. Mr. Poorman noted that the
Bypass is considered under CDTC’s terminology as a “community compatibility”
project rather than a capacity project.
CDTC will need to update the regional transportation
plan to show the Bypass and to re-assess air quality conformity by modeling the
impacts of all the Luther Forest Technology Campus transportation plan’s
elements.
Jack Kelley and
Members agreed to recommend the plan amendment and
authorized the air quality conformity review.
Mr. Poorman noted that FHWA has raised the possibility that CDTC may be
required to undertake a full plan update in order to meet federal guidance that
a 20-year plan horizon remain at the time of a major plan amendment. CDTC’s New Visions 2025 plan has 19 ½ years
remaining in its horizon.
2005-10
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
SA225,
Mr.
Hansen noted that project SA225 still has funds that have not been assigned to
particular projects. As part of the
Luther Forest Technology Campus transportation plan, NYSDOT is ready to program
some of that available funding toward engineering. A request was made and approved by members to
program an additional $0.650 M of available earmarked funds for
engineering. It is expected that
amendments to program the balance of the funds will be on the agenda for the
August 23 Planning Committee meeting.
A289, Grade Separation of
Mr.
Rettig described the need for the amendment.
Due to uncertainty about the state’s CMAQ-funded high-speed rail
initiatives, these two CMAQ-funded rail crossing elimination projects must be
deferred beyond the 2005-10 TIP period.
NYSDOT has initiated more modest grade crossing warning device upgrades
to deal with safety needs for the foreseeable future. Members agreed to the project deferrals. Due to the nature of the action, Policy Board
concurrence will be required at its meeting on September 7.
RG29, CDTC Technical Services
Mr.
Rettig reported that the proposed amendment will add $250,000 in STP funds to
the CDTC technical services contract for the purpose of a joint CDTC-NYSDOT
planning effort regarding system planning issues related to the
A477,
Mr.
Poorman introduced the amendment request, noting that project RG39 is a
set-aside for local ITS signal initiatives.
Dennis O’Malley described the project as one which both upgrades
antiquated signal equipment and allows integration into alternative routing
plans for incidents on the I-787/NY-787 corridor. A total of $0.190 M would be used of CDTC’s
2006-07 budget for RG39 with the amendment.
The village also requests NYSDOT to examine the cash flow potential to
fund the project in the current year. Members
approved the amendment.
Discussion Items
NEW
VISIONS STATUS
Mr. Poorman shared an updated version of the status
report presented to the Policy Board in June.
Work continues with the finance task force, with major issues emerging
regarding the adequacy of funding to meet pavement needs. A color version of the Big Ideas paper is
available in draft and the June workshop on Greenway system concepts was
successful. The recent AMD announcement
has the effect of increasing the plausibility of major initiatives and regional
dialogue on “urgency” can be expected.
STATUS OF
PLANNING ACTIVITIES
CDTC
CDRPC
Mr. Ferraro reported that CDRPC has been assisting with
CDTC’s trail surveys as part of the UPWP effort; is participating in CDTC’s
Human Service Agency work; has accepted the Global Insight population
projections; will have regional employment projections completed by September;
and continues to be engaged in 2010 Census preparations. He noted that CDRPC is participating in a
statewide NYSERDA project regarding wind energy and that the joint fiscal
analysis effort with CEG is progressing well.
CDTA
Ms. Younger reported that CDTA has agreed to a new
contract with the labor unions; is in the process of awarding BRT contracts for
station design ($0.500 M, operating plans ($0.400 M) and branding ($50-75 K);
will be unveiling five new Northway Express buses on Friday; has adopted the
Saratoga Springs TDP element; and has implemented a new Saratoga Springs
visitor’s pass TDM project.
NYSDOT
Mr. Rettig reported that the I-90 rehab project is
progressing well; the
Mr. Hansen reported that Region 1 is involved in a pilot
program using special software to improve documentation of construction
inspection and change orders on locally-administered federal aid contracts.
NYSTA
Phil Serafino indicated there was nothing major
to report.
Steve Iachetta reported that the airport has opened $10
M in bids. Progress on hanger, ramp and
security/terminal work continues.
Albany Port
District Commission
Frank Commisso reported favorably on current port
activity. Tonnage is up; windmill
shipments are a new activity; additional acreage has been acquired for
expansion. The barge service has been
discontinued, but may restart.
TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Bids and
Lettings
Mr. Hansen distributed a summary of May-June lettings
and July-August scheduled bid openings.
The I-87 Exit 5 bridge was let, with the low bid again higher than the
TIP estimate. Projects SA122 (I-87/D&H),
A242 (Slingerlands Bypass) and S129 (Rt 159/Conrail) are scheduled for
July. Discussion ensued regarding
problems with bids exceeding engineer’s estimates; Mr. Iachetta reported that
the airport is not experiencing the same phenomenon.
OTHER
The next
Respectfully submitted,