Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that he was joined by Mayor Gary McCarthy to present $500,000 in state funding to the City of Schenectady to upgrade and improve the intersection between Crane Street, Chrisler Avenue and Main Avenue. The Crane-Main intersection improvement project was initially included in the City of Schenectady’s 2019 Craig-Main Connection Final Report.^[1]

“This investment represents not only an improvement for the Schenectady community, but a solid investment in our future,” Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said, who grew up in the Mont Pleasant neighborhood. “The Crane-Main intersection currently suffers from a host of problems, including poor pedestrian conditions, high traffic volumes and the awkward convergence of four roads at odd angles. I helped secure this funding to not only make it safer to motorists and pedestrians but also to help ensure the success and longevity of this important corridor.”

“This high-traffic intersection is in the heart of the Mont Pleasant neighborhood, and these upgrades reflect a community-led transformation that builds upon the momentum of positive change we’re seeing within the community,” Mayor McCarthy said. “From the new library to the new Boys & Girls Club, to the new Orchard Park, and revitalization efforts along Crane Street, we’re just so excited to see such progress in the neighborhood.”

The Craig-Main Connection Final Report, which included a recommendation for the Crane-Main intersection upgrade, was a community-led initiative that aimed to transform the Crane Street and Main Avenue corridor into a safe, inviting connection between residents and community points of interest. Final upgrades to the Crane-Main intersection project will include reducing the amount of excess pavement, increased greenspace, new crosswalks and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The reshaping of this intersection will not only help local residents feel more at ease, but also make Schenectady more inviting to visitors, Santabarbara noted.

To learn more about this initiative, visit the project website at craig-main-connection.com.

[1] craig-main-connection.com/report.html