Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on July 12, 2005

 

 

Attendance:   Dom De Cecco (Retired), John Dennehey (Hudson River Valley Greenway), Mike Lyons (Town of Colonie), William Mackesey (SCHT, Town of Clifton Park), Fred Mastroianni (Laberge Group), Kevin McLoughlin (Parks and Trails NY), Mary  McNeill (NYSDOT Region 1), Jim Mearkle (Albany County DPW), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Edward Peck (Halfmoon/Clifton Park Trails), Joshua Poppel (NYBC), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The June 2005 meeting minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PRESENTATION

 

Richard Schell, NYSDOT—Bicyclists and Pedestrians at Roundabouts.

 

3.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

3.1 Regional Map update process:  T. La Salle noted that municipal level maps have been sent to each municipality as well as to NYSDOT and each county, to verify existing data and gather additional data for the update of CDTC’s 2002 Regional Bike-Hike Trail Map.  Feedback is requested by the end of July.  Several responses have already been received.

 

3.2 Parks and Trails New York Conference:  The conference was a success with over 150 in attendance.

 

3.3 Linkage Projects:  J. Purvis noted that CDTC has started several new Linkage Studies, many with bike/ped components including Route 4 in Stillwater, Malta, Hadley, East Berne, and the Harriman Campus Redevelopment.

 

3.4 Trail user Survey:  J. Purvis reported that CDTC will be adding a task to the 2006 UPWP to redo/update a trail user survey that was originally completed in 1998.  Details regarding the new survey are still being worked out and task force members input will be welcomed.                              

                                                           

3.5 Other New Business: 

 

M. McNeill provided a handout of NYSDOT’s Region 1 Ped/Bike Report May 2005. The report recognizes successes of pedestrian accommodations in design projects.

 

B. Mackesey reported that the Zim Smith Trail is making progress and construction should begin in Spring 2006 in from Round Lake South and East to Coons Crossing and from Round Lake to the Northern terminus of the trail.  In response to user interest and concern, a dual user pathway will be constructed.  One side will be for horses and snowmobiles (8 feet wide); there will be a four foot break in the center and an additional 8 foot wide trail for bikes and pedestrians.

 

K. McLoughlin noted that CTANY is encouraging the City of Schenectady to include the Urban Bike Master Plan in the cities comprehensive plan.

 

K. McLoughlin also noted that the 7th Annual Cycling the Erie Canal Event will be arriving in the Capital District on Saturday and Sunday, July 16th and 17th.  The Hudson Valley Pedal will take place August 17th-21st.

 

I. Vamos provided information on his suggestions to NYSDOT regarding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on the I-87 Exit 6 Reconstruction project.

 

D. Odell mentioned concerns regarding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations and safety on the Central Avenue/Everett Road Service Road.  J. Purvis noted that according to a March Design Report, sidewalks are to be included on one side, with raised medians throughout.

 

T. LaSalle noted that the August meeting has been changed from August 9th to August 16th.

 

 

4.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-        The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.