Pedestrian, Road, and Site Improvements

October 2012

Background\Overview

Safe and attractive pedestrian paths, roadways, and entrances are important for any university. The UAlbany Uptown campus was designed with residential and academic components in the center of the campus leaving most parking on the periphery. The intent was to separate car travel and traffic on an attractive, pedestrian-friendly campus. Over time, however, with University growth, changing transportation needs, greater efforts to promote sustainability, and the emergence of more stringent traffic codes and construction standards, a backlog of critical maintenance and upgrade work has developed. This project is intended to address a significant portion of this work, organized as follows:

• Indian Pond Enhancements
• Purple Path Expansion
• Campus Entrances Improvements

Indian Pond is located in the southeast corner of the UAlbany Uptown Campus on University Drive East, west of the Liberty Terrace Apartments (currently under construction). Indian Pond not only serves as a major irrigation and storm water control feature on campus, but it is also an environmental and recreational asset for the University with trails and natural settings. The University will initiate work to improve access to the pond, improve the safety of the trails, restore plantings, and provide other maintenance and upgrades (including installation of benches, an overlook, and a footbridge) to facilitate an enhanced educational and recreational experience while walking the trails.

The Purple Path is a planned multi-use pathway located alongside the roughly 5k perimeter road of the Uptown Campus with specialized surfaces for walking, running, and biking. When fully completed, the path would provide a continuous paved and lighted recreational and transportation amenity, correcting deficiencies in existing conditions, for the safe enjoyment of the campus population and surrounding communities. It will also provide a link to local neighborhoods and services. Given the length of the path and the need to coordinate with other work, there are multiple phases necessary to full construction. The first portion (Phase 1A) was constructed in 2007 at the Western Avenue entrance, spanning the distance from the entry to the SEFCU Arena to the baseball field. A portion of Phase 1B will be opened in summer 2012, extending the path from the edge of the baseball field through the Liberty Terrace site to the Bohr Sculpture building. The next phases of the project, Phases 2 and 3, will be designed and constructed at Collins Circle and in the length of the currently unpaved path adjacent to the State Quad parking lot.

The entrances to the Uptown Campus from Washington and Western Avenues provide a “first impression” of the University. Over the years, while these entrances have received limited improvements (most notably signage), they have not been upgraded to address the backlog of maintenance related to road conditions, dying trees, and improved traffic control. Accordingly, based on a recently completed pedestrian and traffic safety study, several improvements will be made to the entrances, including improved safety, upgraded pedestrian access, and revitalized landscapes.

Project Schedule \ Timelines:
General site preparation, tree removal and preliminary grading completed.

Purple Path - Completed

• All curbing installed for asphalt path
• Pedestrian lights functional
• Asphalt path completed
• Cinder path completed
• Landscaping complete
• Seating node complete

Washington Ave. Entrance - Completed

• New median curbing installation completed
• Sidewalk installation completed
• Utility work completed
• Pedestrian lights functional
• Irragation system complete
• Landscaping complete

Western Avenue - Completed

• New curbing installation complete
• Sidewalk installation complete
• Pedestrian lights complete
• Irragation system complete
• Landscaping complete

Indian Pond - Completed

• Ramp for handicap accessibility by Liberty Terrace is complete
• Foot bridge installed and access paths completed
• Boardwalk Overlook complete
• Seating area overlook complete
• Pedestrian lights functional
• Indian Pond pathways complete
• Picnic area complete
• Landscaping complete

Questions \ Comments\ Contact:
For planning, design and construction, please contact Frank Fazio in Facilities, 442-3400.

Project Design Renderings \ Photos:

(Click the picture for a printable version.)

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  3A & 3B plan

  

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  Indian Pond Plan

  

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  Main Entrance Image

  

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  Main Entrance Plan

  

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  Purple Path at Collins Circle

  

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  Western Ave. Plan

  

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  Purple Path at State Quad

  

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  Purple Path at Collins Circle

  

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  Collins Circle West Sidewalk

  

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  Washington Ave Entrance Sidewalks

  

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  Western Avenue Entrance

  

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  Western Avenue Entrance

  

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  Indian Pond Ramp Access at Liberty Terrace

  

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  Sidewalk at Collins Circle

  

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  Washington Ave Entrance Sidewalk

  

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  Collins Circle West Island

  

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  Collins Circle

  

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  Washington Ave. Entrance

  

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  Indian Pond Footbridge Abutment

  

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  Western Ave. Entrance

  

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  Western Ave. Entrance Sidewalks

  

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  Western Avenue Entrance

  

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  Indian Pond Picnic Area

  

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  Indian Pond Path Seating Area

  

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  Indian Pond Footbridge

  

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  Indian Pond Foot Bridge

  

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  Indian Pond Boardwalk Overlook

  

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  Purple Path

  

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  Washington Ave Entrance

  

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  Indian Pond Footbridge

  

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  Indian Pond Boardwalk Overlook

  

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  Indian Pond Picnic Area

  

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  Indian Pond Path Seating Area