Walkways receive federal aid boost
ALBANY — Three north country transportation projects are among $81 million in federally funded "nontraditional" initiatives announced Thursday by Gov. David A. Paterson.
A pair of projects in Jefferson County and one in St. Lawrence County will receive a combined $2.8 million for such projects as walking trails, sidewalks and bike lanes.
In Jefferson County, the village of Alexandria Bay will get $907,120 for the construction of the Alexandria Bay Riverwalk, which will connect the village's waterfront along the St. Lawrence River with the downtown business district.
"This is something we've been waiting for," said Brent Sweet, village trustee. "It's very satisfying."
Mr. Sweet said the walkway will begin at James and Church streets, climb Church Street hill, and follow Fuller and Sisson streets to the village water plant. It will continue through the village park and beach, along the Casino Island waterfront and in front of the hospital before turning inland at the scuba park and historical society property. The walkway then will run in front of both the Giltz Funeral Home and the old Chamber of Commerce building, then through Howell Avenue before returning to James Street, between A-Bay International and the Thomson museum, Mr. Sweet said.
The village of Sackets Harbor will receive $495,000 for its 1812 Bicentennial Trail.
"It is intended to be a villagewide trail to connect historical sites, the waterfront and undeveloped areas of the village," said David W. Altieri, director of the village's Heritage Area. "We've been working on this for at least five or six years, actually longer."
Mr. Altieri said that in a number of recreation planning surveys conducted in recent years, residents consistently respond that walking trails are a needed addition to the village.
"This is already a walking-friendly village," he said. "This will help visitors explore."
In St. Lawrence County, the village of Potsdam will receive $1.45 million for a walk-bike enhancement project to add sidewalks and bicycle lanes along streets that lead from residential neighborhoods and college campuses to downtown.
"We wanted to develop some better way of connecting people on the outskirts of the village to the downtown," said Frederick J. Hanss, the municipality's planning and development director. "People need pedestrian facilities, so putting them in areas of the village that have never been served before makes a lot of sense."
The village wants to create bike lanes and replace and construct sidewalks on Clarkson Avenue and Maple Street near Clarkson University's hill campus; on Pierrepont Avenue across from SUNY Potsdam, and on outer Elm, Leroy and Pine streets. Work is expected to begin within six months, Mr. Hanss said.
Statewide, 59 projects will be funded through the Transportation Enhancement Program, with some additional funds allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Traditional transportation funds will provide close to $47 million for 34 projects, and federal stimulus funds will provide more than $34 million to another 25 transportation projects.
In the north country, funds for the Alexandria Bay project come from the state, while the Sackets Harbor and Potsdam projects will be funded through the federal stimulus package.
The grants are expected to generate $217 million in statewide construction investment, according to the governor's press office.
Times staff writer Alex Jacobs contributed to this report.
