For students wishing to make the trek from the University to Downtown Binghamton on foot or by bicycle, the possibility of traveling along a new, paved pathway is not too far off.

Binghamton Mayor Rich David announced in his 2016 Budget Address that the city is seeking funding for a pedestrian and bicycle trail between Downtown and the University.

The trail will span Route 434, better known as Vestal Parkway, starting at the University and ending at the South Washington Street pedestrian bridge.

“Once complete, there will literally be a physical path from Binghamton University to our downtown,” the mayor said in the address on September 15. “As our city’s future is intricately tied with that of the University, it’s a strong message we can send to retain college graduates and build a vibrant and connected Downtown.”

The city is working in conjunction with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to create the $6.6 million pathway. The project was stagnate in the preliminary stages until Mayor David brought it to the forefront, making it a priority for the city. NYSDOT has agreed to fund $2.85 million, while the city is still seeking $3 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

If the money is awarded to the city, the construction will begin in early 2017. Binghamton and Vestal, the host municipalities, would be responsible for trail maintenance, clearing and salting during the winter months so it can be utilized year-round.

For students like Colin Leath, a senior majoring in electrical engineering, the upkeep of the trail is important so that students can use it easily, regardless of the weather.

“It would be good if it were usable to some degree during the winter months,” he said. “Otherwise, it would spend the majority of our school year going unused.”

Additionally, Leath said he sees this new path as an opportunity for growth and expansion for Downtown businesses.

“There are a lot of great restaurants Downtown that I didn’t go to until I lived off campus because I didn’t know that they existed,” he said. “It would be great to have more of a connection between campus and Downtown and even other places across the river.”

Larry Shea, the owner of State Street bar Tom and Marty’s, said that he thinks the trail could help improve the city in terms of its relationship with the University.

“From a long-term standpoint, it would be great as it would be another cool step in the continued transformation of Downtown Bing into a true college town,” Shea said.

According to Oneme Idolor, a senior majoring in psychology, the path will offer a solution to traffic and parking issues on campus.

“It would be cool because not everyone has a car and sometimes the buses are not as convenient — they come late,” she said. “So people that have bikes will be able to get to school.”

The Off Campus College Council (OC3) is looking into more initiatives to intertwine the University, the city and the off-campus community over the next year. According to Fiona Tarzy, the president of OC3 and a senior double-majoring in business administration and philosophy, politics and law, this pathway will help bridge the divide.

“Hopefully this project will help get more students … involved in the off-campus community,” Tarzy said. “Whether this means getting more jobs, spending more money at local businesses, helping in public schools or just spending more time Downtown, the new link will merge the two communities together and lead to a stronger relationship.”