FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2024

Mayor Noble Announces Completion of Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the completion of the Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday, May 24, 2024.

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 Henry and Wall Streets, a bicycle shelter at George Washington school, new signage, striping, paving, and more.

Mayor Noble said, “It was wonderful to cut the ribbon on this streetscape project that has been several years in the making, and now will make such a difference in the lives of so many families and young school students. We were lucky to be joined by the George Washington Peace Singers who helped us ring in the completion of the Henry Street project with songs about friendship and peace. It’s a rewarding project that can improve safety and accessibility while also bringing the community together.”

Ward 4 Alderwoman Jeanne Edwards said, “No one is more thrilled than me and the entire neighborhood to have this safe new streetscape for our school children. We had great community involvement in every step of the Henry Street project, which ultimately improved it for everyone. This project proves that when we work together, we get a better project, and we build a better community.”  

Ward 5 Alderwoman Teryl Mickens said, “The Henry Street Safe Routes Project is an amazing undertaking that provides new pedestrian and bicycle features, new tree plantings and the installation of ADA compliant ramps and crosswalks on both sides of Henry Street. This project is not only about street improvement but community revitalization. Henry Street today feels ‘tended to’ and this encourages investment. I am particularly pleased that community engagement sessions held by the City revealed the neighborhood’s attachment to its historic bluestone and that where appropriate, this resource was saved despite the added expense.”

City Engineer John Schultheis said, “I’d like to thank our partners, GPI for design and construction inspection, A. Colarusso and Son for construction, and the NYSDOT for funding assistance. Henry Street is much improved, and we look forward to seeing cyclists, pedestrians and other users taking advantage of the new street features to get around more safely, comfortably, and efficiently.”

Construction began in April 2023. Funding for the project came from the NYSDOT Transportation Alternatives Program and the City of Kingston’s ARPA funding.

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

The Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project is another step in Mayor Noble’s ongoing efforts to create a safe, walkable and bikeable City. Other recent 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. The City recently created a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, a strategy document that builds upon completed projects that include safety features such as improved intersections, signals, and sidewalks. 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. During Mayor Noble’s administration, the Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase 1 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, has been expanded.