SCENIC HUDSON CONTRIBUTING TO THE COST OF RAIL-TO-TRAIL PROJECT IN ALBANY

On January 22, 2008, Scenic Hudson announced it would contribute half of the $700,000 price Albany County plans to pay Canadian Pacific Railway to convert a nine mile stretch of Delaware & Hudson Railway Co. railway route into a thouroghfare for "biking, hiking, and other alternatives to automobile travel."

Converting the old rail route to a trail was first suggested in 1995, but little progress was made; and it was revisited again in 2003 by Albany County Executive Michael Breslin and county legislators.

Montreal-based CP Rail spokesman Michael Spenard explained there was only about one issue left to resolve involving "indemnification of the railway against future (legal liability) issues," and was optimistic that it would be resolved soon.

Katie Test, spokeswoman for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Washington D.C., said "There are nearly 14,000 miles of rail trails in the United States, with another 11,000 miles in development."

Woodruff adds that the rail trail miles Test referred to include: "a 2-mile Hudson Valley Trail in Ulster County, a 15-mile Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Columbia County and the 3-mile Town of Shawangunk Rail Trail in Ulster County."

Advocates of the project hope the rail trail will link to others in the region.

Source of above:
Cathy Woodruff, "Wheels turning on rail trail deal." Times Union. January 22, 2008. http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=657151&category=FRONTPG&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=1/22/2008&TextPage=1> Accessed January 26, 2008.

I'd heard of Rails-to-Trails before, though in my mind I linked it with efforts in Halfmoon, NY to further develop the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, which was more recreational in nature. On its website, it states its mission is "to increase awareness, enjoyment and linkage of the wide variety of scenic, recreational and historic resources along the Mohawk River and Erie Barge Canal corridor from Waterford to Schenectady." (Mohawk Scenic Byway Towpath)

It's an informative site, supplying loads of information about where to experience history in Saratoga County.

The effort described in Cathy Woodruff's article above is perhaps no less historic or recreational, but it adds to its purpose a commuting alternative for those individuals close enough to the trail to use it for practical purposes, as well; and linking the proposed trail with the well-traveled 41 miles of existing trail between Rotterdam Junction and Albany would ensure its future success.

Sources, officially:
Mohawk Scenic Byway Towpath, http://mohawktowpath.homestead.com/

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6016664

Cathy Woodruff, "Wheels turning on rail trail deal." Times Union. January 22, 2008. http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=657151&category=FRONTPG&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=1/22/2008&TextPage=1> Accessed January 26, 2008.

BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT)

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008, CDTA unveiled its plan for new rapid transit service along Route 5 corridor over the next two years, called the Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, line. About 25% of CDTA ridership comes from east- and westbound travel along the Route 5 (#55) corridor. The BRT line will feature 20 "stations" that may replace up to 96 stops along the route depending on where riders get on or off the bus, shaving up to 17 minutes off the 72-minute route. The stations will also provide riders with heated shelters, rest rooms, security, and vending machines, allowing riders to purchase bus passes, thus further speeding boarding times.

Kristina Younger, CDTA's strategic planning director, said, "We think we are designing a service that will keep our existing riders happy and will also attract new riders."

Depending upon BRT's success, it will be interesting to see if CDTA extends the improvements to other routes in the Capital District, or if they will be able to use similar improvements to extend service to outlying areas where bus service is either sparse or nonexistent.


Source:
Cathy Woodruff. "CDTA Rapid Service Advances." Times Union. January 15, 2008.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=655230