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Batavia to receive $750K for bike path in city

By Howard B. Owens

The governor's office has announced a $750,000 grant for a community bike trail in the City of Batavia.

From the press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today 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.

"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,” Governor 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. Governor Cuomo has shown a historic commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure in New York State, including making bicycle and pedestrian safety a priority."

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 announced today 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 timeframes. (A total of) 135 applications were received.

Selected projects relate to one or more of the following categories: on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation; infrastructure-related projects and systems that provide safe routes for non-drivers to access daily needs; use of abandoned railroad corridors for surface-transportation related trails; scenic byway turnouts and viewing areas; safe routes to school; construction of boulevards and complete streets thoroughfares; and storm water management related to highway runoff.

The full press release goes on to list the other projects in the state.

UPDATE: The DOT sent over this supplemental information about the Batavia project.

  • City of Batavia: Healthy Schools Corridor: $720,657 -- Sidewalks on Summit Street, Liberty Street, South Liberty Street and Washington Avenue; Benefits schools and businesses.
Doug Yeomans

Heh..now the criminals can mug people on a new and improved bike path. A freaking BIKE trail, and the county has to delay road repairs to pay for road salt. Who the hell is running this show?

Oct 27, 2014, 8:04pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

It's your money, so figure out ways to keep it in your pocket and not give it to a state government that just pisses it away like last night's beer. Yeah, keep on voting for republipukes and democraps.

Oct 27, 2014, 8:08pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

So, next election, obviously not this one, we expect to see you tossing your hat into the ring for any office so you can run things how you think they should be run, right?

Oct 28, 2014, 8:23am Permalink
Brian Graz

Obviously Cuomo is anticipating Astorino winning the Governor's chair on Nov 4 figuring that the party can then shift blame and claim Astorino is the one who's frivolously wasting taxpayer money.

That's OK, with Astorino as Gov the SAFE Act will be nullified and the bicyclers using these new trails will be able to properly and Constitutionally protect themselves while riding.

Oct 28, 2014, 10:04am Permalink
Brian Graz

...and NOBODY ever expected Zephyr Teachout to get 35% of the Democratic vote against Cuomo in the primary either! It ain't over till it's over.

Oct 28, 2014, 11:08am Permalink
Bob Heininger

Anyone who has ridden a bicycle around the City and Towns of Batavia knows its an exercise in attempted suicide. This is excellent use of my hard earned tax dollars.

Oct 28, 2014, 11:12am Permalink

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