ALBANY — Assemblymember Patricia Fahy and Senator Michelle Hinchey announced the completion of a sidewalk project adjacent to the Guilderland Public Library on Thusday, Sept. 8.
The project is expected to improve pedestrian safety and encourage multi-modal transportation. Additionally, a sidewalk project adjacent to Lynnwood Elementary School funded in-part by a 2014 legislative grant was also recently completed.
“Improving safety on our roads is a continuing priority, but is especially pertinent now as students, teachers, and parents return to school schedules and transportation,” said Fahy. “These new sidewalks will help to improve pedestrian safety and encourage increased multi-modal transportation to and from school, the Guilderland Public Library, and our broader community here. I commend Supervisor [Peter] Barber for his commitment to seeing these projects through and improving the quality of life for all Guilderland residents.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), there were more than 1,000 fatal school-transportation-related crashes between 2011 and 2020, with an average of 113 fatalities per year. Additionally, the AAA Foundation found that risky driving behaviors increased as a result of COVID-19 and the number of riskier drivers increased on the roads.
Officials all stressed that as students return to school schedules, motorists should obey traffic rules, school bus signs, and keep students and themselves safe on the road. More than 50,000 illegal passes of buses occur everyday school is in session in New York State.
“The library community is delighted that there are now sidewalks all the way to the SEFCU/Market 32 area and beyond,” said Guilderland Public Library Director Tim Wiles. “This links the library with several apartment communities, and of course provides a safe walking route for families and children to get to the library. Gone are the days when we would see mothers pushing strollers and holding toddlers hands as they walked beside busy Western Avenue trying to get to and from the library. For the first time since the library was built in 1992, it is viable as a walking destination.” We thank the Town, State, and Federal governments for making this happen!”
— Michael Hallisey
