Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced $112.2 million in funding has been awarded to 81 projects across the state that support bicycle and pedestrian enhancements and improve air quality — $13.1 million of which will help pay for projects here in the Capital District.
Funding supports projects that include multi-use bicycle and pedestrian facilities, new accessible sidewalks that adhere to regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improved access to public transportation and enhanced roadway safety.
Approximately $3.9 million has been awarded to the Town of Bethlehem — $2,903,760 “to construct a modern roundabout and a safe sidewalk connection” and $973,667 “to construct ADA compliant sidewalks” — and will pay to improve a long-troubled intersection in the hamlet of Glenmont.
Calling the announcement, “huge news,” Bethlehem Supervisor John Clarkson told Spotlight News in an email, “This intersection has been the number one traffic problem in Bethlehem for years, and this will be a huge improvement for Glenmont and Selkirk residents. Coupled with new sidewalks, it will mean a safety and lifestyle improvement for Glenmont and Selkirk residents. It will also help the retail businesses in that area thrive, easing the path for residents to get there by foot or by car! Together with the Delaware Avenue enhancements, we’ll be seeing major improvements in both major transit routes, including pedestrian access.”
Commending town staff, Clarkson added, “Bethlehem’s good luck with these grants (highest award by far in the Capital Region) is due in large part to the savvy and hard work of Director of Planning and Economic Development Rob Leslie and his team.”
(Leslie is expected to release more information in an upcoming community announcement.)
“This funding is critical to enhancing our infrastructure and paving the way for both pedestrian and bicycle travel,” said Cuomo. “By improving roadway safety and increasing access to healthy transportation alternatives, we are providing both residents and visitors a chance to experience the state’s natural beauty like never before, while supporting a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come.”
The funding, which will provide up to 80 percent of the cost of each project, is made available through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. Selected through a competitive solicitation process, awardees presented plans meant to increase options for non-vehicular transportation, reduce vehicle emissions or traffic congestion, or both. Including additional public and private funding, these projects are expected to leverage nearly $233 million in construction and operational enhancements that will improve air quality, promote walking and biking, expand public transportation access, and boost tourism across the state.
Other Capital Region awards include:
- $2,000,000 for the Capital District Transportation Authority to implement the new bikeshare program.
- $680,800 for the Town of Guilderland to construct and connect ADA compliant sidewalks.
- $760,000 to the Town of Greenville to replace and extend sidewalks.
- $551,000 to the Town of Cairo to construct a 2,230 foot multi-use pathway.
- $848,840 to the Town of Clifton Park to construct an ADA compliant multi-use path.
- $1,531,626 to the City of Saratoga Springs to complete the Greenbelt Trail Downtown Connector.
- $1,556,000 to Schenectady County to construct the River/Rosendale Road Roundabout.
- $1,280,000 to the City of Rensselaer to construct the Rensselaer Riverfront Multi Use Trail.