1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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 % in development.
Developed & implemented signage plan

5. Moving to Completion

6. 5 Components of “Close the Gaps”
Where are we?
1. Assess current status of ECG

7. 5 Components of “Close the Gaps”
Where do we want to be?
2. Define goals for 2010

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18.
More ribbon cuttings,
More trail on the ground!

19. More people enjoying
the Greenway!

20. The End