Brings $545,830 to the City of Oneida
(Oneida, NY – Jan. 18, 2014) The City of Oneida has been selected to receive $545,830 in funding through the NYS DOT Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) for development of its Oneida Rail Trail, a proposed 11.3 mile multi-use trail system around the city. The project is one of only 63 statewide to receive this round of transportation enhancement funding.
The City will use the funds to complete a design study and acquire construction materials to develop the 3.1 mile section of the trail that extends from the Erie Canalway Trailhead in Wampsville into the City of Oneida at N. Willow Street. Proposed improvements include a fully handicapped accessible stone dust trail, restoration of a historic rail bridge, trailheads, and signage. Actual construction of the trail will be completed by the City of Oneida and Madison County.
Many segments of these former railbeds have been used as unofficial trails by the community for years. The goal of the Oneida Rail Trail project is to preserve and formerly designate these historic corridors as a trail system to link the heart of downtown Oneida, neighborhoods, businesses, parks, tourist destinations and other trails to provide recreational opportunities for residents as well as attract new business and tourists. For instance, the segment selected for TEP funding will connect the Oneida Rail Trail to NYS’s Old Erie Canal State Park and Erie Canalway Trail which extends across the state and brings visitors from all over the world.
In his announcement Governor Cuomo said, “From building new facilities for bicycles and pedestrians to supporting historic highway programs, these projects will provide new tourism and recreation opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors. We will continue to upgrade New York’s infrastructure to expand tourism and economic development while improving our communities.”
Oneida Mayor A. Max Smith concurs “Living in Oneida with the Oneida Rail Trail will ensure a better quality of life for our residents while growing our community. People want to live in trail communities. Not only is the Oneida Rail Trail a recreational opportunity for the Oneida community and its neighbors, it is poised to spur economic development supporting trail businesses especially in our downtown district. All while attracting visitors to Upstate New York to learn of our rich railroad history and stately homes while bringing in much needed tourism dollars to the City of Oneida and Madison County. We thank New York State for their nod of approval in recognizing our efforts with this funding.”
The projects announced were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated on established criteria that included environmental enhancement to and for the transportation system; connectivity to an existing transportation system; encouragement of smart growth; impact on local or regional economies; availability of matching funds; and level of community support. A full list of projects can be found at http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/01152014-bicycle-pedestrian-enhancement-proj