NYC will receive $14.6M from state toward bike, pedestrian upgrades

As part of a push to improve air quality, the state is kicking in $14.6 million toward projects that will get New Yorkers out of cars and onto new bike lanes and pedestrian paths.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the state is allocating millions to help fund four city projects that will create new bike lanes, pedestrian connections, and street upgrades on Roosevelt Island, Randall’s Island, as part of the Harlem River Bridges plan, and to DOT for streetscape improvements.

The state has committed $5 million to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation toward creating a dedicated ramp that will connect cyclists from the Roosevelt Island Bridge down to the island’s east promenade onto a new two-way, three quarters of a mile path along the waterfront—separate from traffic on Main Street. A $793,000 check will also be cut to NYC Park’s toward creating new bicycle and pedestrian links to nearby Randall’s Island.

Just over $2 million in state funds will be allocated to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) project to overhaul 13 Harlem River crossings that connect Manhattan and the Bronx to make it easier on cyclists and those on foot to travel between the two boroughs. Additionally, DOT will receive $1.7 million to construct pedestrian islands, expand street medians, and other pedesterian-friendly enhancements.

The infrastructure investments are part of a $144.6 million initiative to invest in 72 projects statewide, with the goal of supporting access to public transportation, roadway safety, and improved pedestrian spaces. Awardees pitches their projects to the state as a shift away from car culture and steps toward reducing the state’s greenhouse emissions. The allocated funds will provide up to 80 percent of the cost of each project and were made available through the Federal Highway Administration.