CAPITAL DISTRICT
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2012
MEMBERS ATTENDING
Philip
Barrett, Town of Clifton Park
Carm
Basile, Capital District Transportation Authority, Vice-
Chair
Steve
Feeney, representing Judith Dagostino, Schenectady County
Bruce
Hidley, representing Mayor Michael Manning, City of
Watervliet
Steve
Iachetta, representing John O’Donnell, Albany County
Airport Authority
Mayor
Scott Johnson, City of Saratoga Springs
Michael Loftus, New York State Thruway Authority
Paula Mahan, Town of Colonie
Mayor
Gary McCarthy, City of Schenectady
Mayor
Russ Reeves, representing Mayor Lou
Rosamilia, City of Troy
Mike
Stammel, Capital District Regional Planning Commission
Michael
Valentine, Saratoga County
Sam
Zhou, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1, Secretary
Frank
Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Rob
Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Fred
Erickson, Town of Sand Lake
Michael Franchini,
Capital District Transportation Committee
Joseph LaCivita, Town
of Colonie
Randy Milano, City of
Albany
Chris O’Neill,
Capital District Transportation Committee
Jason Purvis, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Mike Stella, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Christopher Wallin,
City of Schenectady
OPENING REMARKS
Chairman McDonald opened the Capital District Transportation Committee
meeting at 8:17 AM and welcomed those in attendance. Members and attendees introduced themselves.
ADMINISTRATION
Approval of the June 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes
The June 7, 2012 meeting minutes were approved by the
members.
Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee Report
Mike Franchini reported that the A & F approved an
updated version of the Administrative Procedures for the CDTC Staff. He
reported that while there have been delays in cash flow of federal planning
funds to CDTC, payment has been received.
CDTA has been very gracious in facilitating the cash flow process for
CDTC. Mayor McDonald commented that Mike
is off to a very positive start as the new Executive Director.
PRIVILEGE
OF THE FLOOR
Chairman
McDonald indicated that CDTC provides an opportunity for visitors to address
items on the agenda. No one from the
public attending the meeting made a request to speak.
NY 156 FUNCTIONAL RE-CLASSIFICATION REQUEST
Chris O'Neill presented
the functional re-classification request for Route 156 in Altamont. He described the CDTC evaluation process
which concluded that the section of Route 156 in Altamont would be appropriate
for being designated as a rural major collector. The members approved the re-classification as
recommended by the Planning Committee.
The re-classification is subject to NYSDOT and FHWA approval.
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
AMENDMENTS
Resurfacing of I-787, NY Thruway Exit 23 to
South Mall Expressway Complex
Frank Bonafide
explained that these TIP amendments change the scope of the I-787 project by
adding two bridge decks and element specific repairs on six bridges; and
provide offsets from three other projects. Members approved the amendments.
Commercial Access Highway Improvements
Luther Technology Park
Mike Valentine explained that this amendment reprograms
the demo funds for this project. The
improvements include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations between East Line
Road and the Round Lake Bypass roundabout. Intersection capacity and
operational improvements would be constructed at Chango Drive and at Ruhle
Road. Also included are access management improvements, advance storm water management
and streetscaping. This newly defined scope will result in a change of project
description to “Round Lake Road Traffic and Mobility Improvements”. Members approved the amendment.
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Forward Four: NYSDOT Presentation on
Pavement and Bridge
Strategies
Frank Bonafide explained that the new NYSDOT policy is
preservation first, and that given declining funds they must get as much life
out of every asset as possible. He gave
a presentation on the Department’s pavement and bridge strategies. He explained that an important strategy is to
invest in keeping good condition pavements from going to fair condition,
because the cost per mile is much less.
He explained the importance of maintenance first for bridges. He explained that different treatments can
extend the life of a bridge. Mayor
McCarthy asked a question about the collection of local pavement
conditions. Frank explained that CDTC
does collect data on the local system already.
Mayor McCarthy commented that pavement scoring in Schenectady should be comparable
to NYSDOT methodologies. Mayor McDonald
noted that county level TIP meetings will be coming up in the following weeks.
STATUS OF
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES
CDTA
Carm Basile reported that CDTA has conducted an
extensive evaluation and restructuring of routes over the last five years. The final two phases of route restructuring
are nearing completion: Northway express service and Albany County Phase
2. BusPlus is doing really well. CDTA has experienced 15 consecutive months of
ridership increases.
CDRPC
Mike
Stammel reported that the mcd (minor civil division) population age cohort
projections have been completed. CDRPC
has been working on metrics and measurements for the Capital Region Economic
Development Plan.
New York State
Thruway Authority
Michael
Loftus reported that construction on the Thruway between Exits 24 and 24 will
be completed for the year in early November, and will be continued next year.
NYSDOT
Sam
Zhou explained that construction on the Northway Twin Bridges is
proceeding. Construction problems that
caused delays on Monday morning have been addressed. The Prattsville Bridge
will be repaired in a matter of days. He
emphasized the dire need for infrastructure investment.
Albany Airport Authority
Steve
Iachetta reported that Airport parking was up eight percent, but passenger
enplanements are up 1.9% for the month of August compared with August 2011.
2012 Airport Improvement Program projects competitively bid and awarded this
summer include about $7 million in airside safety and capacity as well as
passenger terminal improvement projects.
CDTC
Mike
Franchini reported that the USDOT awarded Transportation, Community and System
Preservation Program (TCSP) grant to the Capital District for $240,000 for the
I-787 Livable Corridor Planning Initiative.
Total funds for the Study are $400,000, including $100,000 from CDTC and
$60,000 from NYSDOT.
In
November, CDTC will be soliciting applications for Linkage Studies. There will be an emphasis on implementation
in this year’s program.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other
business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 AM. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday December
6, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Sam Zhou
Secretary