The City of Poughkeepsie, in collaboration with Parks and Trails New York, will create a two-way bicycle lane along Market Street and Civic Center Plaza in the heart of downtown Poughkeepsie on Friday, August 21. Similar to a one-day demonstration completed in 2016, the project will involve the use of temporary materials to separate bicycle traffic from car traffic. The bicycle lane will extend along Market Street and Civic Center Plaza from Church Street to Mansion Street. The bike lanes will run on the western side of Market Street and Civic Center Plaza, closing one driving lane and also a parking lane on Market Street. There will still be two northbound travel lanes for cars through this corridor, but Civic Center Plaza will be closed to southbound traffic between Mansion and Mill Streets for the day. The temporary changes will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The project’s aim is to demonstrate how separated bicycle lanes could function along the corridor and create safer conditions for bicyclists. Market Street and Civic Center Plaza is an important north-south transportation corridor, particularly for car, bus and pedestrian traffic, with many destinations that bring thousands of employees and visitors daily. The demonstration project will provide city staff the opportunity to observe behaviors and traffic patterns as well as engage with the public about the concept.
Project Area Map“We’ve seen a steady increase in bicycle use in the City of Poughkeepsie over the last several years,” said Paul Hesse, Community Development Coordinator for the City of Poughkeepsie. “A bicycle lane along Market Street makes an enormous amount of sense when you consider the connections it would provide, from residential areas on the city’s south side to the commercial center and to the Walkway Over the Hudson and points north. We are trying to provide a vision for what a safe, inter-connected transportation system can be here in Poughkeepsie, and bicycle lanes are an important part of a well-functioning transportation network.”
“Bicycling has become more popular than ever, and with more riders on the road, communities across New York need to take measures to ensure that all riders can enjoy a safe, comfortable experience,” said Dylan Carey, Project Director for Parks & Trails New York. “Temporary bicycle infrastructure installations are a low-cost, innovative way to demonstrate the potential for a safer bikeway network that allows residents to more easily bike to work, school, or wherever they need to go. We’re excited about this project, not only for the benefits it offers Poughkeepsie, but also as a model for cities, towns and villages across the state.”
Detour for Southbound Civic Center Plaza (Mansion St. to Mill St.)To learn more about the project, please visit: https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/pcccp/.
Survey: Temporary Bike-Lane Demonstration
A survey, targeted toward bicyclists who ride or might consider riding along Market Street and Civic Center Plaza. To participate in the survey, please click the link below:
https://ptny.wufoo.com/forms/m1i24sxp0qa2dmh/