V.  PROVISION OF SERVICES

 

TASK 5.51, 5.52 Provision of Services

 

This task continues with a scope similar to that shown in the past.  CDTC staff provides a significant amount of technical assistance to members and other local agencies under Task 5.51 (and to other parties through Task 5.52, Provision of Community Services) annually, as shown in CDTC's extensive quarterly report documentation of this work.  In 2005-06, this task will continue to include contractual support of the Town of Colonie's FGEIS implementation in the Airport area.  A Delphus kill area analysis of transportation impacts of anticipated development was completed in 2004-05.

 

More significant, ongoing technical assistance is programmed for Albany County in connection with its annual contract with CDTC.

 

In 2005-06, CDTC will continue to work with the town of Colonie and Albany County to refine the GEIS statement of findings to ensure consistency with the current implementation plan.  The work will be coordinated with the Linkage study for the NY 7 / I-87 area.

 

TASK 5.61          Project Development Support (TIP funded)

 

CDTC staff continues to assist NYSDOT Region 1 in an ongoing fashion in developing traffic forecasts and other material for project development and design purposes.  Specific support ranges from analysis of maintenance of traffic plans related to bridge or lane closures to sketch analysis of traffic diversions from alternative highway routings.  This effort is funded with Surface Transportation Program (STP) as part of the TIP and will continue at the same level in 2005-06.

 

Cooperative support of the NYS Thruway Authority's plans to study capacity issues between exit 23 and 26 (including a potential high speed connection between the Northway and Thruway) has also required CDTC staff activity from this budget.  A supplemental contract with the Thruway Authority has allowed CDTC to enhance the VISUM model for the Thruway corridor, including refined toll pricing relationships.  The progress of this study has been slower than anticipated but CDTC’s technical support effort is complete.  The study will conclude in 2005-06.

 

TASK 5.57          Commuter Support Services

 

CDTC's carpool/bus/bike/walk "Guaranteed Ride Home" program and Commuter Register program will continue.  As a pilot program, the Guaranteed Ride Home program was enhanced by engaging Access Transit to broker taxi services for NYSDEC carpool and non-CDTA bus users.  CDTC will continually improve the Internet capabilities of the Commuter Register, provide paper copies as requested and seek employer access for publicity.  Ongoing telephone surveys of listers will continue; this survey has provided CDTC with a long (ten+ year) time series of data regarding success rates, and the nature and duration of carpools.

 

TASK 5.60          Public Transit Planning Support

 

CDTC staff will be continue to be active in assisting CDTA and its consultants in exploring alternative ways of implementing the New Visions recommendations.

 

TASK 5.62          NY 5 Corridor Support

 

The NY 5 Land Use and Transportation Concepts Plan was completed in 2001, culminating in adoption by CDTC in October.  Additionally, each of the five corridor municipalities endorsed the study recommendations by resolution, and pledged to work with CDTC, NYSDOT and CDTA on implementation activities.  In 2003-04, CDTC staff contracted with ITC for a full VISSIM microsimulation of transit priority features for the Central Avenue TIP project A341.  Traffic flow and speed and delay runs were prepared as well, serving both the TIP project and the BRT study.  Work by a Bus Rapid Transit / Street Design Committee, Corridor Coalition and completion of the zoning effort is shown under task 5.84.

 

Major effort in 2004-05 was the BRT concept design study, co-administered by CDTC and CDTA.  Final products are expected by the end of 2004-05, leading to a preliminary design phase in 2005-06.  CDTC staff will continue to be active in the project development process.

 

TASK 5.63          Travel Demand Management Initiative (implementation as TIP project)

 

This project is led by CDTA with CDTC staff assistance.  In June 2001, NYSDEC and its labor unions agreed to participate in a transit incentive program funded through the TDM project on the TIP.  This pilot also proved successful, and a celebration of the 1,000,000th mile saved took place in 2003.  A new pilot with the large Albany downtown BID began in December 2003, labeled “Commuter Cash.”  This pilot lasted six months with the intention of leading to employer-sponsored TDM effort.  The pilot has also spurred greater state employee interest in a permanent, employer-sponsored “Commuter Check” program.

 

Exploration of broader coverage and additional pilot experiments will occur in 2005-06. 

 

TASK 5.67          Linkage Program Oversight

 

This task supports staff activity on a number of Linkage Program projects that do not involve direct CDTC technical work.  Activity under this category includes work with project sponsors to develop requests for proposals, evaluate proposals, select consultants, develop contracts, participate in study advisory committees, monitor work progress and solicit and evaluate proposals for future Linkage Program projects.  The many concurrent studies and heavy reliance upon CDTC staff for the development of consultant scopes and management of consultant contracts has led to an increase in the staff support budget for 2005-06.

 

In February 2002, CDTC established an ongoing "Community / Transportation Planning Group" to meet regularly and review progress on the many Linkage and related local planning efforts.  This group will continue to meet in 2005-06, and will be reframed as the “Linkage Regional Coordination Forum” with Linkage funding recipients expected to participate on a regular basis.

 

TASK 5.68          Pinebush Study Update (complete)

 

TASK 5.77          Hoosick Street Integration Project (complete)

 

TASK 5.81       Troy:  Lansingburgh 112th St. Corridor Study (completion delayed)

 

The city of Troy has administered a Linkage consultant study with CDTC staff assistance that focused on the "urban village" of a large commercial / residential neighborhood in Lansingburgh.  The study provides a detailed basis for transportation improvement and enhancement actions, as well as for land use decisions to be made in the City's upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Revised Zoning Ordinance.

Draft final report materials have been prepared and are being discussed with city officials.  Study completion had been expected by 3/31/04, but has been delayed.  Study completion is expected in early 2005-06.

 

TASK 5.82        Glenville:  Freeman's Bridge Road / Dutch Meadows Master Plan (completed)

 

TASK 5.84       NY 5 Corridor Implementation Tools

 

For 2005-06, implementation activities will include regular meetings of a NY 5 Corridor Coalition; work by a Bus Rapid Transit/Street Design Committee; and completion of the zoning effort begun in 2002-03.

 

TASK 5.85       Integrated Transportation and Community Design (Statewide Shared Cost Initiative)

 

A consultant was selected in 2003-04 and has identified candidate highway and land use candidates for more thorough documentation.  A major emphasis has been placed on documenting innovative practices and projects within New York State, supplementing these examples with a limited number of best-practice results elsewhere.  An important product will be an accessible, attractive document to be made broadly available to transportation professionals, elected officials and other community leaders throughout the state.  Completion in early 2005-06 is expected.

 

A follow-up training effort of $100,000 is also programmed.

 

TASK 5.86       Capital District Clean Communities Program

 

In early 2001, CDTC agreed to assume the lead role in the Capital District Clean Communities Program previously provided by Schenectady County.    Efforts will continue to focus on alternative fuels and provide a forum for CDTA, the Albany County Airport Authority, local governments and private sector representatives to explore new technologies jointly.  CDTC staff will update the Memorandum of Understanding with the USDOE for the initiative in early 2005-06.  In addition, CDTC's involvement will assure coordination with regional planning and programming activities, including TDM, transit and carpooling efforts.  Work will continue during 2005-06.

 

TASK 5.88       Town of Ballston & Malta:  Route 67 Corridor Study (carryover)

 

The Town of Ballston requested assistance in identifying short-term solutions to transportation problems along Route 67 from Exit 12 of the Northway to Route 50 in the Village of Ballston Spa.  The function of the transportation corridor under current and short-term future conditions will be analyzed by developing rough estimates of future traffic, estimating level-of-service under alternative system treatments and investigating design options for the corridor.  Recommendations will also be made for service road construction, driveway consolidation, driveway spacing, sidewalk placement, bike accommodations and typical Route 67 cross-section and intersection treatment.  The Town of Malta is contributing $5,000 above the local funds provided by Ballston to ensure consideration of the western edge of Malta within the corridor.

 

The schedule for this study was delayed to allow completion of the GEIS of the Luther Technology Park.  Development of the park has implications for Route 67.  Work began in late 2004-05 and is expected to be finished in 2005-06.

 

 

TASK 5.94       City of Rensselaer:  Route 20 Corridor Study (complete)

 

TASK 5.97       Thruway Capacity Analysis Study (carryover)

 

CDTC staff has participated as a subcontractor in technical analysis of main line capacity issues on the New York State Thruway in the Capital District.  This effort addresses the area from south of Albany to Exit 25A.  The study is examining options for a high speed EZ-Pass connection between the Northway and Thruway southbound among other subjects.  Completion is expected in 2005-06.

 

TASK 5.98       North Greenbush I-90 Exit 8 Connector Land Use Study (carryover)

 

TIP Project R173, I-90 Exit 8 Connector Phase 2:ITS Demonstration, is listed in the New Visions long-range regional transportation plan under the category of community enhancement/regional economic development.  The MIS/EPP for this project was adopted by CDTC in December 1999.  Since that time, work on this project continues and involves development of alternative arterial designs and a draft Environmental Impact Statement. 

 

As work has progressed, it has been apparent to NYSDOT, Town, County and CDTC staffs that a more clearly town-articulated land use vision for this important area would be beneficial in assuring that the investment to be made in this corridor is preserved and enhanced.  To accomplish this, NYSDOT and CDTC approached the Town with a proposal to use a portion of the available demo funds to support a town-lead land use planning study that would explore land use alternatives and access arrangements within the area around the proposed connector.  Funding was obtained by shifting a portion of monies already secured for construction into the preliminary engineering category.  This Town-directed planning study can proceed in parallel to the environmental analysis and other work being progressed for the I-90 Exit 8 Phase II Connector.

 

The study began in 2003-04, was delayed for a period to allow a GEIS effort to proceed in a portion of the study area and will be completed in 2005-06.

 

 

TASK 5.01       City of Albany: Arbor Hill Gateway Planning Study (deleted)

 

This Linkage effort was intended to develop an attractive and pedestrian-friendly gateway for the Arbor Hill neighborhood at the intersection of Henry Johnson Boulevard and Livingston Avenue.  The need for the study was rendered moot when the city of Albany completed a Henry Johnson Boulevard capital project in 2004, achieving many of the Linkage study’s objectives.  Funds earmarked for this Linkage study have been reprogrammed to other Linkage studies.

 

TASK 5.02       Town of Colonie: Route 7 Corridor Study (carryover)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Colonie with a consultant study that will build upon the land use and transportation plan for the Route 7 Corridor (form Vly Road to Exit 6) that was developed under the 1991 Airport Area Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS).  The study will examine the remaining land use opportunities in the corridor to better define arterial management actions for Route 7 and to help define a vision for the corridor’s function and role.  The study will also identify land use design options that will help the transportation system in the future, knowing that Route 7 will remain as a five-lane cross section.  The study will also build from the New York State Department of Transportation’s work in conjunction with the Exit 6 interchange design.  Some of the objectives of this study are to:

 

  • Collect current traffic volumes to gauge progress of the FGEIS plan.
  • Identify existing and projected development patterns.
  • Develop a vision of the corridor function.
  • Develop zoning and regulatory tools to achieve this vision.
  • Develop a visual representation of street cross section and site design.

 

This effort is underway and will be completed in 2005-06 with consultant and CDTC staff technical assistance.

 

TASK 5.03       Village of Colonie: Streetscape Guidelines and Architectural Design Standards (carryover)

 

CDTC will assist the Village of Colonie with a consultant study to develop Village wide streetscape guidelines and architectural design standards.  Project activities will include an environmental survey, community meetings to develop a vision for the Village, and the development of a document containing the recommendations made in public meetings and the streetscape and architectural design concepts for the Village.  The public will be heavily involved in all aspects of the study including project scoping, “hands-on” design charettes or other public meetings, and development of recommended design standards and guidelines.  This will be a continuation of the planning process already started in the Village through the development of its Master Plan.

 

This effort is underway and will be completed in 2005-06 with consultant assistance.

 

TASK 5.04       Town of East Greenbush: Route 4 Transportation/Land Use Master Plan (carryover)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of East Greenbush with a significant staff effort to address the present and future transportation needs of the Route 4 corridor from the North Greenbush Town line to the intersection with Rtes 9 & 20.  Additional consultant support is included as needed.  The area is experiencing considerable growth and a long-range plan must be developed.  A number of traffic studies have been conducted over the last couple of years for the individual developments indicating that there is an existing problem.  A long range solution is not within the scope of the proposed development.  Through this plan, the completed studies will be brought together in order to support the development of a long-range plan and solution for the area. 

 

This effort is underway and will be completed in 2005-06 with consultant assistance.

 

TASK 5.05       The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson Valley, Inc.: Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail – Rensselaer County (completed in 2004-05)

 

 

TASK 5.06       Town of Halfmoon: Halfmoon Center Roadway Improvement Study (carryover)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Halfmoon with a consultant study to further develop the concept of a mixed-use “Town Center” as identified in the Town’s Draft Comprehensive Plan.  The success of the “Town Center” concept hinges on the relationship between land use and transportation, both motorized and non-motorized.  The study will include:

  • Review of aerial mapping and physical resource mapping of the area.
  • Field reconnaissance to verify existing physical elements and development conditions in the area.
  • Identification of alternatives for location and geometry of the connector roads and the reconstructed roadways.
  • Identification of alternatives for improved and increased opportunities for non-vehicular elements to be incorporated into the roadway improvement plan.
  • Review of existing land use and potential changes in land use opportunities as a result of the roadway improvements.
  • Development of an overall plan for funding the identified improvements.

 

This effort is underway and will be completed in 2005-06 with consultant assistance.

 

TASK 5.07       Town of Rotterdam: Route 7, I-88, NYS Thruway Exit 25A Land Use & Transportation Study (completed in 2004-05)

 

TASK 5.08       W. Haywood Burns Environmental Education Center, Inc.: Patroon Greenway Trail Project (completed in 2004-05)

 

TASK 5.09       Fifth Year Linkage Program Reserve (new task)

 

CDTC intends to continue the successful Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program with a solicitation for new studies in 2005-06.  The solicitation had been delayed due to the delay in approval of the TEA-21 Reauthorization and to allow existing Linkage studies to move forward.  A solicitation was made in the fall of 2004 and 14 submissions have been reviewed.  The final 2005-06 UPWP will include a listing of the selected studies.

 

CDTC has tentatively reserved $200,000 in FHWA PL funds to support the fifth year program.

 

TASK 5.10       Travel Behavior Factors Shared Cost Initiative

 

CDTC assumed the lead for NYSMPO on this study in 2004.  By early 2005, a steering committee involving NYSMPO, FHWA Office of Planning and the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center was created.  The format of the effort was established, focusing on a “Colloquy” of invited experts at the Rensselaerville Institute in June 2005 and web-based discussions before and after the colloquy.  Final products are expected in early 2006. 

 

The effort is using $100,000 in NYSMPO shared cost initiative funds and an additional $100,000 in FHWA funds assigned to the Volpe Center.  A small portion of the NYSMPO funds will be used to cover CDTC staff administration and Sarah Siwek Associates’ staff administration of the project.

 

TASK 5.11       Regional Operations Planning (new task)

 

To help integrate management and operations into the planning process, CDTC intends to explore the creation of a joint CDTC/NYSDOT regional operations committee.  Regular meetings will facilitate coordination of activities and initiatives across jurisdictions.  A particular aspect of the effort will be the identification of cost-effective operations and management initiatives for consideration in CMAQ programming efforts, including routine draw-downs of regional set-asides in the 2005-10 TIP.

 

TASK 5.12       Town of Malta: Route 9 Corridor Plan (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Malta with a consultant study to develop a plan for the Route 9 north and south corridor.  The plan will identify each parcel located within the corridor (excluding the Downtown Overlay District) and determine what type of development would be best suited to be incorporated on each parcel.  The plan will generate design standards to guide this development and will incorporate architectural standards, streetscapes, parking standards, and visually attractive entranceways.  This plan will also incorporate the ideas generated in a previous linkage study (the Malta Highway Access Guide and Pedestrian Plan) to help improve street connectivity and allow for sidewalks or multi-use paths.

 

Consultant Total: $50,000 ($35,000 federal, $15,000 local cash match)

 

TASK 5.13       Harriman Research and Technology Development Corporation: The Harriman Campus-University of Albany Corridor Transportation Study (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Harriman Research and Technology Development Corporation (HRTDC) with an integrated study that considers growth and development plans for the North Washington Avenue parcels, the planned transformation of the Harriman Campus into a Research and Development Park and the planned expansion of the U/Albany – CESTM facility.  The HRTDC has requested that it administer a consultant contract, with additional CDTC staff technical assistance, to consider traffic and transportation-related issues within the geographic boundaries of I-90, Washington Avenue, Fuller Road, Western Avenue, Brevator Street and Route 85. 

 

Consideration will be given but not limited to:

·          bicycle and pedestrian facilities

·          transit routing, timing and public notification/awareness

·          roadway traffic patterns, signal timing and appropriate speed limits

·          traffic, parking and access, and campus interconnectivity

·          lighting, way-finding and security improvements

·          emergency and maintenance vehicle access

 

This study would be part of the Campus Master Planning Process and would have the immediate goals of evaluating the current use of the Harriman Campus and Ring Roads, developing recommendations regarding traffic and pedestrian travel in the U/Albany – CESTM campus, planning input for the new CESTM building, evaluating and making recommendations for traffic on Fuller Road, plan recommendations for the undeveloped parcels on the North Washington Avenue property at Washington Avenue and I-90 and developing plans for interconnectivity to Western Avenue and Brevator Street. 

 

Consultant Total: $100,000 ($50,000 federal, $50,000 local cash match)

Additional CDTC Staff Technical Assistance: Amount to be determined by CDTC

 

TASK 5.14       Town of Stillwater/Village of Stillwater:  Route 4 Main Street Plan  (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town and Village of Stillwater with a consultant study to develop strategies for an active and attractive Route 4 corridor.  The plan will identify ways to support revitalization and redevelopment of the Village Center and commercial corridor, improve safe access between Route 4 and the Hudson River, enhance and develop additional activity nodes in the downtown area and improve bicycle and pedestrian safety through well defined connections.  The plan will also encourage preservation of the community’s historic structures, rural character and visual quality.  The plan will identify a multi-modal network that can accommodate and integrate all modes.  Finally, the plan will develop design guidelines for building development, signage, bicycle/pedestrian improvements, access management and traffic calming measures. 

 

Consultant Total:  $50,000 ($37,500 federal, $12,500 local cash match)

 

TASK 5.15       City of Saratoga Springs:  Downtown Improvement Plan (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the City of Saratoga Springs with a consultant study to identify future transportation improvements that will have to be made to accommodate new development in the downtown area.  The study will identify a fair share plan to raise the required funds to implement the improvements.  The study will also screen different levels of development intensity against alternative transportation improvements.  The screening will identify needs and consequences of the land use development scenarios and transportation improvements.  The study will assist the City to identify other policies that should guide land use and transportation decisions in the downtown. 

 

Consultant Total:  $80,000 ($40,000 federal, $40,000 local cash match plus an additional $5,000 City staff in-kind services)

 

TASK 5.16       Town of Guilderland: Guilderland Hamlet Neighborhood Master  (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Guilderland with a consultant study and staff technical assistance to prepare a master plan for the Guilderland Hamlet.  The plan would be one of five studies recommended in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.  The plan will address the topics of access management, pedestrian facilities, streetscape improvements, scenic and environmental features, architectural and site design standards, and standards for mixed use development.  The study area is bounded by Route 20, the 20 Mall, and the Hunger Kill adjacent to the Guilderland YMCA.

 

Consultant Total: $52,000 ($39,000 federal, $13,000 local cash match plus an additional $2,500 in Town staff in-kind services).  Additional CDTC Staff Technical Assistance: $7,500.

 

TASK 5.17       Town of Bethlehem: Route 9W Corridor Study (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Bethlehem with a consultant study that will look at the Route 9W corridor from Exit 22 to the Routes 32/9W interchange.  The study will build upon the recommendations and needs identified in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan by providing a focused and targeted 9W corridor vision and management plan.  It will also review the feasibility of a northern alignment alternative to the Selkirk Bypass project.  This connection is envisioned to improve safety and traffic on Route 396, facilitate economic development, and ease traffic pressures on Route 9W.  The plan will also identify standards for shared driveways along the corridor and identify sidewalk standards for incorporation into subdivision or site plan regulations.  Finally, the plan will identify bicycle and pedestrian loops between existing and future points of interest along the corridor.

 

Because of the study’s connection to project A290, the Selkirk Bypass, TIP funds (STP) will be used to fund this Linkage effort.

 

Consultant Total: $75,000 ($37,500 federal, $37,500 local cash match)

 

TASK 5.18       Town of Hadley: Hadley Design and Land Use Standards (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Hadley with a consultant study to develop a plan for the Town’s hamlet district.  The plan will create conceptual designs, design standards and identify a means of implementation to create a gateway and appropriate streetscaping to link existing transportation routes and recreational areas.  The primary focus of the plan will be Rockwell Street, the entrance into the Town from the bridge over the Hudson River.  The plan will develop streetscape designs for a pedestrian friendly sidewalk and trail system.  The plan will also address parking concerns in the hamlet district.

 

Consultant Total: $37,500 ($27,500 federal, $10,000 local cash match)

 

TASK 5.19       Town of Berne:  East Berne Hamlet Study (new task)

 

CDTC will assist the Town of Berne with a small consultant study to focus on the revitalization of the East Berne Hamlet.  The study will develop strategies for integrating small-scale economic development while preserving the historic setting and current residential neighborhoods.  It is expected that the plan will bring more commerce to the region, answer residential demands for services while protecting the rural working landscape of farms and forests.  The plan will recommend zoning changes that allow for a greater mix of uses in the hamlet accompanied by rigorous design standards.

 

Consultant Total: $12,000 ($6,000 federal, $6,000 local cash match.