Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of the Meeting on August 9, 2011

 

Attendance: Katie Bronson (C/O Albany Planning), Joe Kelly (C/O Albany Planning), Susan Olsen (NSYDOT Region 1), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Martin Daley (Parks & Trails NY), Brian Kehoe (NYBC), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Nelson Ronsvalle (T/O Halfmoon), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Nadine Lemmon (Tri-State Transportation Campaign), Rob Leslie (T/O Bethlehem), Mary Harding (NSYDOT SRTS), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Linda Von der Heide (Rensselaer County), Chris Marshall (Village of Altamont), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Ed Tremblay (C/O Cohoes), Gina Gillooley (NSYDOH), Steve Strichman (C/O Schenectady), Matt Smith (C/O Schenectady), Aaron Detter (CDTC), Jen Ceponis (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 New Business

1.1 Livingston Ave Bridge

According to NYSDOT Region 1, all options for the bridge replacement are still on the table.  Congressman Tonko’s office is aware of the project and NYSDOT will be coordinating a public meeting/workshop in the early Fall. 

-M.Daley asked where funding is coming from -- S.Olsen said all design is funded by FRA and there will be a public meeting in mid-September but no date has been announced yet.

-I.Vamos submitted a 5-page paper addressing the bike/ped issues to NYSDOT; found a report on rails with trails by FRA; According to paper, a ped path along railway is not inconsistent and there are examples in other parts of the country.  The report can be found here: http://bit.ly/qo0oyH

-CDTC will keep task force updated on any meeting or other announcements about bridge project

 

1.2 Upstate Transportation Forum

Ithaca Car Share is hosting a transportation conference: Transforming Communities through Creative Collaboration September 22-33 in Ithaca, NY.  The conference does not only include discussion on car sharing but also on methods for better collaboration with different entities and agencies, communications, marketing “place,” and getting the most from a shoe-string budget.  Register online: http://conta.cc/lzrqui

 

1.3 PTNY Finger Lakes Trails & Greenways Conference

The Finger Lakes Trails and Greenways Conference will be held after the Upstate Transportation Forum in Ithaca, NY September 23-24. For more information and to register visit the PTNY website: http://ptny.org/greenways/conference/index.shtml

 

1.4 Capital Coexist

1.4.1 Radio Disney -- recent events (GE kids day, Schenectady Night Out, etc.)

1.4.2 Activity Book -- reprinted Cornell Local Road Program's activity book funded by GTSC and hope to distribute it throughout region at kid-friendly bicycling and family events including the C/O Albany bike rodeo  and Albany County’s bike helmet distribution event on Aug 17 @ Taft Furniture in Colonie.

1.4.3 Enforcement – CDTC met with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee & will coordinate to get contacts of enforcement agencies; outreach will begin in early 2012

 

1.5 Bike Rack Program Update

All racks have been distributed by CDTA.  Anyone who received a bike rack should send a picture of the installed rack to C. Ward at CDTA so they can be included in the CDTA Google-based bike rack map.  The train station bike lockers will be received and installed in the near future.  If anyone would like to buy a bike rack before the next solicitation they can be purchased online from DERO (http://www.dero.com/).  The next solicitation will follow the same timeline as the last two years.  If anyone who has not received the information in the past is interested they should contact C. Ward to get on the mailing list for next year. 

 

1.6 Capital Moves: A new TDM website

C. Ward from CDTA presented some preliminary designs of the TDM website being developed as a central location for Capital Region commuting options and information.  The site will also provide resources for long-distance travel to and from the Capital Region.  If anyone has questions regarding the site they should contact C. Ward at CDTA or J. Ceponis at CDTC.  The site launch is planned for Fall 2011.

 

1.7 "They just don't get it...

Raquel Nelson, a single mother from Georgia, was convicted of vehicular homicide after she and her children were the victim of a hit and run accident while trying to cross a suburban arterial on foot.  The accident took the life of one of her children.  The full story can be read here: http://bit.ly/nTtHNR

 

1.8 Other New Business

-Henrietta O'Grady sent CDTC an email announcing the Bike the Byway event Saturday, August 13.  More information can be found: http://www.mohawktowpath.org/events.html

-N.Ronsvalle -- Erie Canal Community Connective is a joint effort between Clifton Park & Halfmoon funded by TEP; looking at connecting trails under twin bridges to Vischer Ferry in Clifton Park; biggest issue is trying to get occupancy permit to run trail parallel along I-87 for short length where a towpath currently exists; I.Vamos mentioned that there is a small pond along the path and asked how it will be dealt with; N.Ronsvalle said there will be a bridge over it

-Oct. 5 is Walk Children to School Day -- Albany County & NYSDOT are both planning events; Justin Booth is being funded by GTSC to promote Walk our Children to School events; G.Gillooly advised people to begin organizing these types of events as early as Spring because of hectic school schedules; National Safe Routes to School website has information for all schools with registered events.

-B.Kehoe asked about status of TEP solicitations & both J.Purvis & M.Harding said nothing has been announced yet & DOT is reviewing evaluation process

-M.Harding said that TEP will not delay or interfere w/SRTS; there will be opportunity for grant feedback & DOT Design Services Bureau will put out cost estimation table

-E.Troy Asked if there was a separate funding pot for non-infrastructure projects -- M.Harding said that there will be $ put aside (to GTSC) for non-infrastructure projects & details of program are still being worked out

-B.Kehoe received a notification of rescission by NYSDOT, sending $15M back to feds

-R.Leslie said Bethlehem received NYSERDA grant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, looking to do bike route project as pilot project; doing bike & ped maintenance manual - must get done by March 2012. --M.Daley said that Dutchess County has a similar project that may serve as a model for Bethlehem

-I.Vamos said Colonie repaved a small part of Osbourne Rd and in process narrowed driving lanes and reclaimed shoulder space which has made it more comfortable for bikes

-E.Troy - there have been many bike/ped phone calls that have linked health & transportation groups, these will be revived and should be 3rd Thursday (Aug 18) of month at 1pm; NYSDOH will run phone call quarterly & open it up to contractors; CDTC sets up conference call to open up phone call to anyone interested

-D.Odell shared that he appreciates and is thankful for all the improvements to bicycling infrastructure in the City of Albany

-N.RonsvalleHalfmoon received grant to work with Carl Beard; looking to make 10 miles of Champlain canal trail shovel-ready

-K.Bronson – The City is hosting a welcoming event on Aug 18 3pm at Washington Park Henry Johnson entrance for the "Bike Trip for Kids" - two men from TX doing cross-country trip to raise $ for their hometown youth centers; City will welcome them & then have short bike tour of local infrastructure (K.Bronson will send out details); Albany 2030 Comp Plan is on website (http://albany2030.org/) & available at libraries for review; there will be another public meeting to present findings; City is doing "walkshops" to show what improvements have been made in City & also "Bikeshops" to showcase bike improvements - dates to be determined

-J.Purvis announced that the City of Albany is also slated to do another Linkage Study to investigate the feasibility of bike sharing and developing a bike signage system for the City.

-E.Tremblay - Cohoes Delaware Ave trail paving complete w/LED lighting; someone GPS’d the trail route as a driving route and people are driving down it; still trying to find offsets to build bridge; received email that approved Heritage Trail to design phase

-T. Fabozzi announced that CDRPC will be reapplying for the HUD sustainable communities grant program to look at land use and how it impacts walkability; also applying for NYSERDA grant for a regional climate inventory plan; Stapleton CO redeveloped former airport site as New Urbanist development - have a walk to school event in the beginning of every school year

-S.Strykman – City of Schenectady is completing 4 phase connection to Central Park & chipping away at gap in recreational trail

 

2.0 Upcoming Events

Meetings Open to the Public:

NEXT CDTC BIKE & PED TASK FORCE MEETING: September 13, 2011 9:00 AM