Canal Pedestrian Bridge Hearing Set for December 20 in Amsterdam

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation has scheduled a public hearing December 20 to discuss the environmental assessment of the proposed new pedestrian bridge over the New York State Canal and Mohawk River in the City of Amsterdam. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. in the Lynch Literacy Academy Cafeteria, 55 Brandt Place, Amsterdam (directions below).

The Draft Environmental Assessment/Draft Design Report assesses the project's effect on the quality of the human environment, in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Thruway Authority engineers will be available for one hour before the start of the December 20 public hearing to discuss the project and to answer questions.

Information on the right-of-way acquisition process will be provided by the New York State Department of Transportation regional real estate group, and tentative schedules for right-of-way acquisition and construction will be discussed.

The proposed bridge will connect the south side of the City of Amsterdam with Riverlink Park and the Riverfront Center on the north side of the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.

The project features an innovative "Park Over the River" concept. The surface of the bridge will include plantings, benches, lighting and pedestrian amenities.

Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in late 2012 and be completed by the summer of 2015. The project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase. The estimated project cost is $12 million.

The voter-approved 2005 New York State Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act allocated funds specifically for the Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge.

Preliminary design plans for the project have been developed by the Authority/Corporation in coordination with Federal, state and local agencies.

Copies of the report are available for review and copying during business hours at: The offices of the Chief Engineer, New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation, 200 Southern Blvd., Albany; New York State Department of Transportation Region 2, Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee St., Utica; the New York State Canal Corporation Fonda Shop, 2 South Bridge St., Fonda; City of Amsterdam Mayor's Office in City Hall; and the Amsterdam Free Library, 28 Church St.

The proceedings will be recorded. Members of the public will be invited to express their views concerning the economic and social effects of the design plans, their impact on the environment, and their consistency with the goals and objectives of planning promulgated by the local community.

Written statements and other exhibits may be submitted in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the hearing. Written statements submitted at the hearing, or mailed and received before January 21, 2011, at the Thruway's Chief Engineer's Office, will be made part of the record.

Further information on the project may be obtained from the NYSTA/CC Project Manager, Richard P. Karis Jr,, P.E., New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation, 200 Southern Blvd., Albany, NY 12209, or by calling (518) 471-4378.

To facilitate public participation in the hearing, a sign language interpreter, assistive listening system, or other accommodations will be provided upon prior request to Karis.

Directions to Lynch Literacy Academy:

From the New York State Thruway Interchange 27 (Amsterdam, Route 30), turn right to Route 30 North. (Market Street). At the fork in the road at the police station, keep left. Turn left to Bunn Street. The school is on the left.

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The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority. State legislation in 1992 transferred the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Thruway Authority. Canal operating and maintenance activities are supported by Thruway toll revenues.

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