Route 9 Team Presentation of Final Report on Pedestrian and Biking Improvements for Broadway
Route 9 Active Transportation Conceptual Design Plan Team to Present Final Report on Pedestrian and Biking Improvements for Broadway on Saturday, November 17th, 1-3pm.
Meeting Will Include Sessions for Village Boards and A Public Open House to Discuss Next Steps for Implementation
On Saturday, November 17th, the Route 9 Active Transportation Conceptual Design Plan Coalition and planning consultants from Nelson\Nygaard will present the final draft of a conceptual plan to make Broadway safer for people walking and cycling through Westchester’s Rivertowns.
Presentations will be held at the main rotunda at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry. Sessions will include discussion and potential next steps for implementation.
The meeting represents the culmination of the first phase of a citizen-led effort that began in 2016. In early 2017, the New New York Bridge Community Benefits Program provided funding to the group to develop and present a comprehensive plan to improve travel and safety along Route 9 (Broadway) for all modes of transportation, including bicycle, pedestrian, transit users and vehicles. The goal of the plan is to present the most effective, seamless connection between the New NY Bridge and the surrounding communities.
Transportation planning firm Nelson/Nygaard was retained by the coalition to assess conditions and needs for the corridor. The final plan incorporates feedback from citizens at several public forums, input from elected officials and recommendations from the Route 9 coalition.
The coalition believes that integrating the Bridge’s shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path with local roads and trails will benefit Rivertown communities by creating more options for safer walking and biking for residents as well as boosting tourism and local economies by attracting cyclists who come from outside the area to use the path.
“Thousands of cyclists will cross the new Tappan Zee Bridge each weekend when it opens around the end of 2018,” said Daniel Convissor, Director of Bike Tarrytown. “They'll ride on Broadway to visit our bars, restaurants and stores. We need to create a safe place for them on Route 9. Establishing a protected cycle track makes life easier for people driving; they won't be stuck behind people riding or have to worry when passing them.”
More importantly, Convissor added, “a cycle track on Route 9 will allow residents to come out of their shells and ride bikes when heading to school or work, running errands, going out to dinner and visiting friends. Good infrastructure helps the many people who feel ‘I want to bike to town, but the cars scare me, so I drive.’” Convissor also pointed out that the more people bike instead of drive, the more car spaces are available for people who live farther away or have impediments to physical activity.
In addition to bike access, coalition members are hopeful that pedestrian improvements will make Broadway safer for walkers, especially children. “There have been a few high-profile accidents along Route 9 recently,” said Tarrytown representative Lakis Polycarpou. “Citizens in all five villages have raised concerns and begun campaigns to address the excessive speed of cars in their villages. Improving Route 9 to make it safer for all users fits into this critical goal.”
Now that the plan is complete, the five villages intend to work together on design and engineering, grantseeking and implementation. This will grant efficiencies associated with working on the corridor in its entirety, as well as advance a functional continuity in the design of the improvements.
Public forum: Saturday, November 17
1 - 3 pm
Mercy College Dobbs Ferry
Contacts: Daniel Convissor Email: danielc@biketarrytown.org
Andrew Ratzkin Email: andrew.ratzkin@gmail.com