Committee forms subcommittee to pursue Safe Streets grant, opts to prioritize bike path

The Columbia Transportation Committee voted unanimously to form a subcommittee to pursue a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, with members proposing to prioritize a bike-path project rather than a full sidewalk program. During discussion members said bike paths would widen roads safely for both cyclists and pedestrians and reduce the maintenance burden compared with traditional sidewalks.

A motion to create the subcommittee was placed and approved by voice vote with the chair counting hands: “All those in favor hands just so I can count that seems unanimous.” Members agreed the subcommittee should draft an action plan and determine whether engineering design would be required for grant eligibility, then return to the full committee and, if needed, forward recommendations to the Board of Selectmen to secure funding or contracting authority.

Members requested staff and the committee subcommittee investigate available grants, whether design costs can be covered, and the possible scope (for example, bike paths from the town green to Recre Park). The committee also asked that volunteers prepare grant language and coordinate with the T2 center and an engineer as needed before bringing a completed application back to the committee for endorsement.