Some local roadways will be getting new sidewalks and bike paths under plans being developed by Riverhead Town.
Town engineer Ken Testa yesterday presented Town Board members with a number of possible locations for the new bike and pedestrian pathways with the goal of making town roads safer and cleaner for people on foot and cycle.
The alternative routes would see some road-widening and/or sidewalk construction. They include Pier Avenue, Manor Lane, Peconic Bay Boulevard and River Road.
Whether the roads would be widened or have sidewalks built would depend on whether there are typically more bicyclists or pedestrians on the roads in question, Testa said.
The project is being funded by a $3.2 million federal stimulus grant administered by the state department of transportation. It is part of an overall plan to create a bike path that stretches from one end of town to the other.
When the town begins environmental review on the project, the town will have to pay the cost of an environmental consultant, estimated at $40,000, because the environmental portion of the grant has already been exhausted, Testa said. The environmental portion of the grant was spent on archaeological digs to eliminate concerns that the construction might disturb historical artifacts.
“Safety for our bicyclists, I think, is a big priority,” said Councilman John Dunleavy at the work session. “Forty thousand is a very small portion in comparison to $3.2 million.”
Testa will submit the proposed alternative bike routes to the New York Department of Transportation for approval.
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