September 8, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayor Steve Noble announces completion of “Safe Routes to School” Project

KINGSTON, N.Y. Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to announce the completion of the Safe Routes to School Project in the City of Kingston. The project included multiple infrastructure improvements throughout the City, with the primary goal of improving the safety of walking routes to the J.W. Bailey Middle School, and the Edson, George Washington, and John F. Kennedy Elementary Schools.

“Hundreds of children will travel these routes on their way to school each day, but these improvements will really benefit our entire community,” said Mayor Noble, who prepared the grant application when he served as an Environmental Educator for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We are continuing to make great progress in our efforts to increase accessibility for all residents and visitors to Kingston and to make it easier to move around throughout our community.”

Project components included:

• Three permanent electronic signs alerting drivers to their speeds were installed and operating on Hurley and Lucas avenues, near the Edson and Bailey schools, and Delaware Avenue, near JFK Elementary.
•  A new sidewalk was installed on Burhans Boulevard, connecting the Lucas Avenue sidewalks to Edson/Bailey School
• Speed calming humps were installed on Joy’s Lane near Dietz Stadium
• A completely new traffic signal, pedestrian signal and curb cuts were installed at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Lucas Avenue
• ADA compliant curb cuts were installed on Hurley Avenue near Quarry Street
• ADA compliant curb cuts and new pedestrian signals were installed at the intersection of Murray and Delaware Avenue
• ADA compliant curb cuts were installed at Gross street, which is the entrance to John F. Kennedy School
• Additional crosswalk painting was done in various locations near Kingston’s schools

Leadership of the Kingston City School District are excited for these improvements along popular walking routes to school.

"The students of the Kingston City School District are a priority, whether they are inside the four walls of our ten district buildings, or if they are out in the community,” said Dr. Paul Padalino, Superintendent of the Kingston City School District. “I'm proud that the school district and the City are close partners, and that we are always willing to work together for the betterment of our children. Health and wellness for our students and families are a continued focus in our school district, and I am so grateful that the city is making it easier for students to lead active lives by providing safe ways to walk and bike to school. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of young people, and help them to create lifelong healthy habits that will serve them well into adulthood."

The City bonded for a total of $577,000 for the project, but was eligible to be reimbursed $489,000 through federal Safe Routes to School funds administered by the NYS DOT. Design and inspection were completed by Greenman Pederson, Inc. and the construction was completed by Sun-Up Enterprises Inc. Ralph Swenson, the City Engineer, oversaw the project.
For more information about the City of Kingston’s transportation projects, visit www.kingston-ny.gov/KingstonOnTheMove. 

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