THE EAST COAST GREENWAY CLOSING THE GAPS ON THE EAST COAST GREENWAY JOHN PIAZZA ECGA TRAIL PROGRAM COORDINATOR LONG DISTANCE BIKE ROUTES THEN AND NOW PRO WALK - PRO BIKE 2006 MADISON, WI SEPTEMBER 7, 2006

Alliance founded 1991 to establish a trail system from Maine to Florida We are often called the “urban Appalachian Trail” –not a footpath in the wilderness located up on the ridgeline but a “flalanders”AT in the coastal plain This 2600 mile long spine route links Calais, Maine with Key West, Florida Like Interstate 95 or the Amtrak corridor, it connects our 23 largest East Coast Cities and passes through the 15 seaboard states plus the District of Columbia

The ECG Vision www.greenway.org Off road Firm surface Urban/ Sub-urban/ Rural In tandem with public transportation American Tobacco Trail, Duram, NC www.greenway.org

Fourteen Years of Progress Defined route linking 25 major cities Support base built via state committees and membership Federal, state and local strategic partnerships 21% built off-road -- 25% in development. Developed & implemented signage plan

Moving to Completion 2005-2010

5 Components of “Close the Gaps” Where are we? 1. Assess current status of ECG

5 Components of “Close the Gaps” Where do we want to be? 2. Define goals for 2010

5 Components of “Close the Gaps” How do we get there? 3. Detail state by state development plans 4. Increase ECG capacity 5. Implement the campaign

5 Components of “Close the Gaps” Assess current status of ECG 2. Define goals for 2010 3. Detail state by state development plans 4. Increase ECG capacity 5. Implement the campaign

Implementation - Complete a continuous route - Mark 50% with signs - Produce user maps 80% off-road where 80% of population exists Make on-road sections more user friendly Conduct “gap” studies

Define and designate a continuous route On-road sections linking completed trail Cranston Greenway, RI Bikelane on street, Duram, NC

Continuous Route Mark route & create user maps by 2010 ECG Trail Marker along Cranston, RI Greenway

Focus to substantially complete permanent off-road route by 2010: 80% where 80% of the population resides Hudson River Greenway, Lower Manhattan

Upgrade substandard on-road sections How to make streets like this one in Jersey City bike-ped friendly?

Importance of State DOT’s and MPO’s to ECG Federal transportation funds State transportation plans Road and bridge reconstruction projects

Implementing “Close the Gaps” Planning Process Benchmark assessments - Current status of each of 300+ segments Five-year plans - All 16 states 0ne-year Blueprints for Action - All 16 states

How do DOT’s and MPO’s help Blueprint implementation? - Incorporate ECG in transportation and bike-ped plans - Show ECG route on state bike maps - Conduct statewide annual summits to advance Blueprint goals - Use state planning funds for gap studies - Expedite already funded projects - Incorporate ECG into highway and bridge projects

2006-2010 More ribbon cuttings, More trail on the ground!

More people enjoying the Greenway!

The End