7-1 February 2022

Chapter 7: Agency Coordination and Public Involvement

7.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the agency and public outreach activities that FRA and NYSDOT have 

undertaken and will undertake during the environmental review of the Livingston Avenue Bridge 

Project. 

7.2 Agency Coordination

As discussed in the EA, FRA and NYSDOT have consulted with Federal and New York State 

resource agencies in the preparation of the environmental analysis, including USFWS, NMFS, 

NYSDEC, and the SHPO. In addition, FRA and NYSDOT have coordinated with USACE and 

USCG, both of which must issue permits for the Project before it can proceed. 

Section 2.6 in Chapter 2, “Project Alternatives,” lists the potential permits and approvals that 

would be required for the Project under either Build Alternative.

7.3 Stakeholder Outreach

During development of Project design, NYSDOT has conducted outreach to stakeholders, 

including the Cities of Albany and Rensselaer and interest groups. This has included the following: 

• On September 30, 2010, a discussion of the Project took place at the offices of the Capital 

District Transportation Committee (CDTC) that included representatives of the CDTC, Albany 

County, the City of Rensselaer, the New York Bicycling Coalition, the Capital District 

Transportation Authority, the City of Albany Engineering and select members of the outreach 

team. All present were encouraged to provide input into the process.

• On June 22, 2011, representatives of the City of Rensselaer and the City of Albany planning 

departments met with members of the design team to receive a briefing on the status of the 

Livingston Avenue Bridge Project and to solicit input. 

• On July 6, 2011, the NYSDOT, Director, Office of Major Projects and the NYSDOT, Director, 

Rail Projects Group briefed the CDTC Planning Committee of the status of projects associated 

with the High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Service Development on the Empire Corridor 

including the Livingston Avenue Bridge project.

In addition, NYSDOT conducted targeted outreach to organizations that use the Hudson River 

waterway beneath the bridge during preparation of the Navigation Study conducted for this Project 

(provided in Appendix D, “Navigation Study”). That outreach included marinas, commercial 

users, contractors, Federal agencies, and representatives of local governments.

7.4 Section 106 Consultation

As part of the Section 106 consultation conducted for the Project, described in Section 4.5, 

“Cultural Resources,” FRA and NYSDOT have consulted with SHPO, the USACE, and the 

USCG as consulting parties in accordance with Section 106. FRA and NYSDOT have also 

consulted with THPOs for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Stockbridge Munsee Community 

Band of Mohicans, and Delaware Tribe. In addition, FRA sent 10 organizations invitations to serve 

as consulting parties for the Project’s review and six accepted the invitation, as follows: 
Livingston Avenue Bridge EA PIN 1935.49

February 2022 7-2 

• Arbor Hill Neighborhood Association.

• Bridge Line Historical Society.

• Capital District Transportation Committee (accepted invitation).

• City of Albany Historian.

• City of Rensselaer Historian (accepted invitation).

• Historic Albany Foundation (accepted invitation).

• Livingston Avenue Bridge Coalition (accepted invitation).

• National Railway Historical Society Mohawk and Hudson Chapter (accepted invitation).

• New York Central Historical Society (accepted invitation).

• Partners for Albany Stories.

FRA and NYSDOT are coordinating the Project’s Section 106 process with its NEPA review, 

including combined public engagement efforts, when appropriate.

7.5 Public Involvement

NYSDOT has a public involvement plan for the Livingston Avenue Bridge Project to make 

materials available to the public and provide opportunities for information and input. Components 

of the program include the following:

• A regularly updated Project website containing Project information, presentations, meeting 

summaries, reports and status information, as well as a forum for submitting comments: 

https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/projects/livingstonavebridge. 

• Distribution of informational materials, such as a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page 

on the Project website; fact sheets and handouts for public meetings; newsletters providing 

Project updates and information on upcoming public information sessions; and presentations 

for use at public meetings and posting on the Project website.

• Meetings with specific groups of stakeholders, as appropriate.

• A continually updated Project contact list used to provide notification of upcoming meetings 

and other Project updates.

• Flyers to highlight Project development, to be distributed by email and mail, as well as posted 

in public gathering places.

• A record of public comments, which will be regularly reviewed by the Project team, 

summarized, and compiled for the Project record.

• A public comment period, including a public meeting, following the release of the EA for public 

review.

• Consideration of and targeted outreach to environmental justice communities in the Project 

area.

7.6 Public Review of this EA

Public comments are now being solicited on this EA. The EA is available on the Project’s website 

at https://www.dot.ny.gov/livingstonavebridge and at viewing locations listed on the website.

In accordance with NEPA and Section 106 requirements, FRA and NYSDOT will hold public 

information meetings for the Project to provide information about the Project and seek input from 

the public. Both virtual and in-person public information meetings will be held. Public notice of 

meeting dates, meeting locations, and instructions for participation in the virtual meeting will be 

provided in advance of the meetings. A recording of the virtual meeting will also be made available 

on the Project’s website.