(Schenectady County) Schenectady County leaders today welcomed the news of federal funding for a number of important trail, sidewalk and road improvement projects that were approved yesterday by the Policy Board of the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC).
“Schenectady County is proud to have so many of its projects selected for funding and we thank CDTC for their continued support of critical transportation projects in our communities,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “After such a long winter that wreaked havoc on our roadways, the new pavement projects are welcome news for our residents. In addition, the trail and sidewalk projects will continue our efforts to make the County more accessible to walkers and bikers.”
“All the Schenectady City and County projects were evaluated and rated very highly by the CDTC staff, and our CDTC members agreed that for these projects the benefits significantly outweighed the costs,” said Michael V. Franchini, Executive Director of the Capital District Transportation Committee. “This is a great use of federal transportation funding!”
The Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail that runs through Schenectady County received $145,000 in funding. The County will use the grant to upgrade safety features on the trail in Rotterdam that currently has older style bollards and gates that restrict cars from entering the trail. The bollards have created safety concerns and will be replaced with new access control devices. Project construction will take place in 2015.
A $448,000 grant will be used to build sidewalks on Helderberg Avenue in the Town of Rotterdam. This project involves reconstructing 2,800 feet of sidewalk on the west side of Helderberg Avenue plus 800 feet of new sidewalk on the east side of the avenue from Morning Glory Drive to the existing mid-block crossing. The crossing will be improved by adding a flashing beacon and displays that will notify vehicles of their speed. The Helderberg Avenue project is designed to provide safe pedestrian access in the area near Mohonasen Middle and High School. Construction is scheduled for 2015.
The Town of Niskayuna will receive $229,000 to construct a multi-use path from the Flower Hill cul-de-sac to the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail via Rosendale Road and an existing trail spur along Ferry Bridge Road. The project is designed to improve the pedestrian/cycling environment by better connecting hundreds of households in the eastern end of Niskayuna to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail.
“The Town was pleased to work with the County to secure two grants that will enhance our growing trail system,” said Joe Landry, Town of Niskayuna Supervisor. “These new trails will improve safety and access for Town residents.”
Niskayuna will also receive $100,000 to construct a new multi-use path connecting the Niskayuna Soccer Complex and the Mohawk Hudson Bike Trail. The connection will improve pedestrian and cycling safety by allowing bikers and walkers a safe way to access the soccer fields.
In addition the County and City of Schenectady were awarded grants to repave roadways in the City, Rotterdam, and Niskayuna.
Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “These pavement preservation projects will help the City maintain two important thoroughfares and the federal funding will allow us to use local resources for other roads that need repair.”
Rotterdam Town Supervisor Harry Buffardi said, “Thank you Schenectady County for working with our Rotterdam team and including these important projects in the grant process. These projects on high traffic roadways in Rotterdam will improve road safety for all of our residents.”
The following road pavement projects were approved:
Schenectady County
Broadway from Route 7 to City line (Rotterdam) — $436,000 (2015)
Consaul Road (Niskayuna) — $622,000 (2015)
Aqueduct Road (Niskayuna) — $697,000 (2015)
Union Street (Niskayuna) — $403,000 (2016)
Chrisler Ave. (Rotterdam) — $274,000 (2016)
City of Schenectady
Guilderland Avenue — $705,000 (2015)
Broadway downtown from State Street to Millard — $525,000 (2016)
The Schenectady County Department of Economic Development and Planning and the Department of Engineering and Public Works worked cooperatively to prepare the grant applications that the County submitted to CDTC. The City Engineering Department submitted the City funding applications. Project funding includes a 20 percent financial match by each grant recipient municipality.
The CDTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Capital Region and is responsible for allocating federal transportation aid in this region.
More information may be found at www.schenectadycounty.com or www.cdtcmpo.org.