FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 11, 2023

Mayor Noble Announces Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project to Begin in April

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that a notice to proceed has been issued for the Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project. Construction is expected to begin this month.

The Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project will improve safety for pedestrians, including ADA accessibility. The project includes sidewalk reconstruction, curb installation, drainage improvements, a raised intersection at the intersection of Henry and Wall Streets, a bicycle shelter, signage, striping, paving, and more. On-street parking will remain intact for both sides and a secure bicycle shelter will be installed at George Washington both for students and public use.

“Henry Street is a well-traveled route that runs through the heart of Midtown and is especially important to younger students headed to and from school at George Washington Elementary,” said Mayor Noble. “The current conditions, including poor sidewalk conditions and the lack of ADA-compliant ramps and crosswalks, make Henry hazardous to traverse. This project will create a safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and as well as drivers, and is part of my larger efforts to create a safe City for all residents.”

“I'm excited that the Henry Street Project will soon be underway. Henry Street is one the great passageways in our city as so many of our children, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists travel Henry Street. It will be great to know that they will have a safer route to travel,” said Rita Worthington, Alderwoman, Ward 4.

“This project will not only make Henry Street more conducive to being outside but will meet the safety needs of the location. Families walk and ride their bikes often on Henry and this project will provide more safety for that and convenience. Looking forward to seeing the final results,” said Naimah Muhammad, Alderwoman, Ward 5.

City Engineer John Schultheis said, “We are proud of the public engagement process that this project has gone through. Following considerable feedback from community members advocating to incorporate bluestone sidewalks, we were able to include sections of bluestone into the project design. I also want to thank our construction partners at Colarusso, and look forward to launching this project soon.”

The City of Kingston hired GPI for the design and has now contracted with A. Colarusso & Son for construction. The project is expected to be completed by October 2023.

Construction costs are estimated at $2,977,419. With $1,348,524.00 in funding from the NYSDOT Transportation Alternatives Program, the City of Kingston will use ARPA funding for the remaining costs. 

More information and design documents are available at https://engagekingston.com/henrystreet.  

The Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project is yet another step in Mayor Noble’s ongoing efforts to create a safe, walkable and bikeable City. The City recently released a draft of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, a strategy document that builds upon completed projects that include safety features such as improved intersections, signals and sidewalks. Completed projects include the Broadway Streetscape Project, Broadway Grand Intersection Improvements Project, the Franklin Street Complete Streets Project,  and the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Intersection Project, among many others. Current or upcoming road safety projects include the ADA curb ramp replacements across the City, Safe and Accessible Flatbush & Foxhall, the Uptown Transportation Improvements Projects, and many more to come. Under Mayor Noble’s administration, the Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase 1 (Phase 2 is under design) and the Midtown Linear Park have been created, both of which provide off-street paths and connections for walking and biking. The Kingston Greenline is a network of urban trails, complete streets, improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and linear parks in Kingston.