Capital
District Transportation Committee
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on December 9, 2003
Attendance: David-Iman Adler
(N.Y.P.C.A.), Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways
Committee), David Gehrs (CDTA Planning), Andy Labruzzo (Albany County Planning), Don
Odell (Retired Planner), Paul Russell (Town of Colonie), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH), John
Stangle (Village of Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Jason
Purvis (CDTC)
1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW
The November meeting minutes were approved.
2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES
3.0 ONGOING TASKS
3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis handed out CD’s to task
force members containing the final report. The final report is also available
on CDTC’s website and will be posted to Albany
County’s website very soon. J. Purvis noted that the next step is to
follow up on regional trail maintenance issues with the Waterfront Committee.
3.2 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell
reported that he will be stepping down as section director and will no longer
be recording and distributing minutes.
Representatives from The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Committee attended the last Canalway meeting and provided an overview of their
committee. A public meeting will be held
at The Crossings of Colonie on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm to gather comments on the Committees
plan. It was reported that on Friday
December 12th at 1 pm
there is going to be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Peebles
Island Bridge.
On Tuesday December 16th there will be a meeting at Peebles
Island State Park
to discuss the creation of a Visitor’s Center and displays to be built at the
former Powerhouse. Marcia Keyes is the
contact person.
3.3 Guilderland Pathways
Committee: L.
Childs reported that the French’s Mills Road Bridge opened and the ribbon
cutting was on December 4th.
The Pathways Committee is looking into crossing the RR tracks at
French’s Mills Road, south of Route 20. L. Childs will contact Ted Thompson at NYSDOT
regarding this issue.
3.4
Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: No update. A. Labruzzo offered assistance from Albany
County with map layout and
production.
3.5 Greenway Linkage—Rensselaer County: I. Vamos gave a brief presentation and overview of the project. The SAC will continue to work with the
consultant and report to the Task Force.
It was noted that the Department of State is in the process of designing
a trail along the waterfront up to the Livingston Ave Bridge. I. Vamos will
contact DOS for more information.
3.6 Patroon Greenway: J. Purvis reported that the REI is in the Contract Reporter. Proposals are due on January 9th
at 5:00 pm. The project
will focus on a feasible routing option from the Pine Bush Preserve through the
Tivoli Preserve, to the Corning Preserve.
T. La Salle is the main contact for this project.
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1
Jason’s
Pedestrian Safety Scanning Tour: J. Purvis gave a PowerPoint Presentation of his
recent Domestic Pedestrian Scanning Tour.
The participants are currently working on putting together a document of
findings and recommendations.
D.
Adler reported that NYPCA is organizing a Statewide Trail Day Program. They are expecting 10-25 activities
throughout the State. The events will take
place on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 1st
2004. NYPCA hopes that events will encourage
comments to promote trail use and tie into the health aspect of trails. NYPCA will be changing its name to Parks & Trails New York.
A.
Labruzzo and P. Russell both expressed interest in the Task Force seriously
beginning to think of bike paths as alternate transportation corridors rather
than just recreational facilities.
5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS
-
The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January
13, 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC
Offices.