BETHLEHEM — The town’s commercial district will soon be connected to the county’s rail trail with a new path supported by a state grant.

Bethlehem has received $1.5 million from the state’s Department of Transportation, which the town will match with $392,385.

The 10-foot wide path for walkers and cyclists will begin on Kenwood Avenue at the traffic signal, connect with the rail trail, and then continue north for nearly a mile along the Cherry Avenue Extension to New Scotland Road, according to a release from the town.

 Currently, there is no sidewalk along Cherry Avenue Extension.

The town applied for the grant in the fall of 2021, with support from its volunteer Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and neighborhood residents who have been advocating to fill this link for easier access between mixed-use commercial and residential areas, existing residential neighborhoods, schools, and recreation facilities.

The area has seen considerable commercial and residential development for more than a decade, with the addition of Price Chopper Plaza and a mixed-use development on New Scotland Road, new residential communities, and Vista Technology Campus.

“More than 250,000 people enjoy the rail trail through Bethlehem,” said Bethlehem Supervisor David VanLuven in the release. The 10-mile Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail runs from Voorheesville through Bethlehem to the Port of Albany.

VanLuven concluded of the yet-to-be-built path, “This multi-use path will make it easier and safer for people to walk and ride to the many restaurants and businesses along New Scotland Road in Slingerlands.”

— Melissa Hale-Spencer