Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on November 14, 2006

 

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Dom De Cecco (Retired), David Gehrs (CDTA), Bill Mackesey (Town of Clifton Park), Fred Mastroianni (Foit-Albert Assoc), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Henrietta O’Grady (Halfmoon Trails), John Stangle (Town of Colonie), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC)  Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

Minutes were not taken of the October meeting due to very low attendance. 

 

2.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

2.1 Spot Improvement Program: J. Purvis distributed a table showing the projects that were funded in Round 4 at the November 1, 2006 Planning Committee.  All eight proposals were funded.

 

2.2 Transportation Enhancement Program:  J. Purvis distributed a table showing the projects that were selected for funding under the most recent round of the TEP.  The Capital District had 4 projects funded for a total of $4.9M.  NYSDOT is expected to announce another round of Enhancement funding in approximately 2 years.

 

2.3 Regional Greenway: Jason and Teresa are working with Alta Planning and Jeff Olson to finalize the plan.  Jeff will be making presentations to the Bike/Ped Task Force, Planning Committee and Quality Region Task Force.  The final product will be available on the CDTC website.

 

2.4 Paving of MHBHT in Colonie: It was announced that the section of the MHBHT between Route 9 and the City of Cohoes has been paved.  This was funded with Spot Improvement funds.

 

 

2.5 Other New Business: 

 

E. Troy noted that PTNY held bicycle roundtables in various locations throughout the state where discussions were held on how to attract new users.  Signage was also a major discussion topic.

 

E. Troy reported that the Institute for Healthy Infrastructure (iHi) has been working on a model policy document for bike/ped zoning alternatives.  This report is on the iHi website (www.albany.edu/~iHi)

 

E. Troy noted that a Safe Routes to School group and Healthy Heart have developed a survey for parents with children walking to school.  Results show that most students are driven to school and the biggest fear for parents is strangers/sex offenders/bullies.  The second biggest fear is the speed of passing cars.

 

H. O’Grady expressed her delight at Clifton Park and Halfmoon receiving TEP funds.

 

I.Vamos shared the response he received from CDTC related to his comments on air quality at Luther Forest.

 

I.Vamos shared a copy of a plan completed in New Jersey that provided a commitment to funding bicycle and pedestrian projects.

 

I.Vamos reported that the Schuyler Flatts trail connection to the MHBHT may have some wetland issues that have to be resolved before construction can be completed.

 

D. Gehrs reported that bike racks are now on the entire CDTA fleet except the Shuttle vehicles.  CDTA is looking to collect data on bike rack usage by incorporating a button onto the fare box.  It is anticipated that by spring CDTA will have the capability of keeping accurate data. 

 

D. Odell noted that the Albany Bicycling Coalition is asking the Common Council to include bicycle and pedestrian elements into the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

 

D. Odell reported that the new striping of Loudonville Road near Siena College eliminated the shoulder causing a potential safety issue.

 

B. Mackesey noted that he anticipates the construction of the Sherwood Dawson Trail along Route 146A with kiosks at Dawson Drive.

 

B. Mackesey reported that he is working on having the new development trails that are built in the Town to connect with “trunk” trails with kiosks.

 

B. Mackesey reported that preliminary work has been done to build a trail along the Dwaaskill and Round Lake reservoir.

 

 

 

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.