Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on October 7, 2003

 

Attendance: Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), David Gehrs (CDTA Planning), Scott Lewendon (CHA), David Iman Adler (NYPCA), Don Odell (Retired), Robert Ritter (The Louis Berger Group), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Mark Cashman (MHCC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The September minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

In an attempt to encourage more attendance at the Task Force meetings, CDTC began to alternate the start times of the Task Force meetings.  Unfortunately, the change in start time did not bring more people to the table.  Therefore, the Task Force meetings will back (and stay at) the original start time of 4:30 pm.     

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the SAC is making progress with Clark Patterson Associates in the development of the final document.  The group offered valuable comments on the graphics and potential options.  J. Purvis hopes to have the final document available on the web as soon as possible.

 

3.2 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell reported that the Canalway group is continuing its efforts to get signage on the on-road portion of the Mohawk Hudson Bike Trail in the City of Schenectady.  They are working on ways to address the concerns at the Scrafford Lane crossing in Rotterdam.  They are also working with the Town of Colonie with the Countrywide Exchange program for the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan.

 

3.3 Guilderland Pathways Committee: B. Quint reported that the Pathways Committee has received unofficial word that the Draft Sidewalk Master Plan submitted to the Guilderland Town Board will be used as a guide for the development of neighborhood master plans rather than as a sidewalk master plan for the Town.

 

3.4 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: J. Purvis noted that CDTC is still accepting comments on amenities that should be shown on the new version of the map.  It was suggested that the insets used on the new version highlight the areas where the signage has changed. 

 

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1 Greenway Linkage: J. Purvis reported that proposals for the Linkage project in Rensselaer County looking at trail connections from the Livingston Ave Bridge to the Menands Bridge were due on October 3rd.  Nine proposals were received.  The SAC will begin the consultant selection process in the near future.

 

4.2 Patroon Greenway Linkage: CDTC is still waiting for follow-up from W. Haywood Burns Environmental Center.  Teresa La Salle is CDTC’s contact regarding the project.

 

E. Troy reported that Wednesday October 8, 2003 is Walk our Children to School Day.  Thirty-five schools across New York State have registered to take part in the event.  This is an increase from last year's registrants.

 

Ivan Vamos commented on the sidewalks on Albany Shaker Road.  This segment is on the Priority Network and should be viewed as a "success story".

 

S. Lewendon reported that CHA has been retained to research bicycle railing heights.  They are currently looking at crash history related to railings.  Any additional information would be appreciated.  Please contact Scott at 453-3932.

 

J. Stangle reported that the Village of Menands is looking for funding to for the construction of sidewalks on Wards Land.  This would be an extension of the Spot Improvement project already completed on Wards Lane.

 

J. Purvis reported on the domestic bicycle and pedestrian scanning tour that he will be a part of during the first two weeks in November.  The goal of the tour is to look at the engineering, education, and enforcement issues in some of the top ranked cities for bicycle and pedestrian accommodations and see if their strategies can work in NY. 

 

 

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th, 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.