The state on Tuesday announced the opening of a new 2.5-mile bicycle and pedestrian Greenway along the south side of State Route 434 Vestal Parkway in Broome County that provides new opportunities for recreation and environmentally friendly transportation in the Town of Vestal, City of Binghamton, and across the Southern Tier.
The new path, which runs from Pennsylvania Avenue in Binghamton to Murray Hill Road in Vestal, adjacent to Binghamton University, links with an existing greenway at Pennsylvania Avenue to provide walkers, joggers, and cyclists with easy access to downtown Binghamton, the city’s South Side neighborhoods, Binghamton University’s main campus and a host of businesses, stores, restaurants and recreational facilities in the area. It also ties into Binghamton’s existing network of sidewalks, hiking trails and bike lanes, including a recently completed pedestrian/bicycle path along U.S. Route 11 that provides access to the north side of Binghamton, Otsiningo Park and an array of retailers and other businesses in the Town of Dickinson’s popular commercial corridor.
“New York State continues to invest in infrastructure that creates new and sustainable ways to bring communities together and expand our public spaces for residents of all abilities,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This remarkable addition to the Greater Binghamton area will not only promote active and healthy lifestyles but also foster a stronger sense of community and connection to the region’s many popular destinations.”
The $25.4 million project to create the new shared-use path began in early 2021 and also featured the installation of new signals and crosswalks along State Route 434 to enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists alike. The shared-use path is separated from the roadway by guide rails and concrete barriers, features modern lighting and landscaping, and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project also supports New York State’s agenda to combat climate change by promoting non-motorized forms of travel.
The State Route 434 shared-use path will also serve as a critical link in the regional Two Rivers Greenway system, a network of shared-use pathways spanning seven municipalities in Broome and Tioga counties designed to promote the region’s recreational, cultural and historical attributes while providing alternatives to motorized travel.
