The Geyser Road-Spa State Park Bicycle-
Pedestrian Trail will see improvements thanks
to funding from New York state.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in October announced
approximately $70 million in awards
to fund 68 bicycle, pedestrian and multi-use
path transportation projects in New York. The
projects, funded by the Federal Highway Administration
and which leverage a total investment
of $103.7 million, will promote walking
and biking, and boost tourism and economic
development opportunities in dozens of communities
across the state.
The state will provide $1.6 million for the
local project.
The trail will link the Geyser Crest neighborhoods
and Grande Industrial Park to Saratoga
Spa State Park and the rest of the city. It will
run approximately three miles, from the Milton
town line to Route 50 near Saratoga Performing
Arts Center.
“These projects will help communities become
more walkable and bicycle friendly, as
well as show off the natural beauty that exists
in every corner of this state,” Cuomo said. “I
thank the Federal Highway Administration and
our representatives for helping the state secure
this funding so that residents and visitors alike
can enjoy New York like never before.”
The projects include the addition of accessible
sidewalks, improved pedestrian access to
public transportation services, construction of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities and
the preservation and conversion of abandoned
railroad corridors for trail use.
New York State Department of Transportation
Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “We are
investing in projects that meet the increasing
public demand for walkable and bikeable communities,
while promoting sustainable transportation
alternatives, tourism and recreation,
and local and regional economic development.”
The funds are made available to the state
through the Federal Highway Administration
and are administered by the State Department
of Transportation. The program provides up
to 80 percent of the cost of each project, with
the remaining share coming from the project
sponsor. The funds are dedicated for strategic
investments in transportation alternatives and
with a local sponsor match of more than $33.6
million, support a total investment of nearly
$103.7 million.
The projects were chosen through a competitive
solicitation process and rated on established
criteria that included public benefit and
community support for the project; connectivity
to an existing transportation system; how well
the proposed improvements benefit walking
and bicycling; impact on local or regional
economies; availability of matching funds; and
ability to deliver the project within federally
required time frames. A total of 135 applications
were received.