It was announced that NYSDOT had developed a website to provide - - PDF document

Route 63

Route 63 Corridor Study

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

KICK OFF MEETINGS - SUMMARY MINUTES The following presentation was made by the NYSDOT Study Team before the comment session at each of the kick-off meetings held December 2001-February 2002: INTRODUCTION:

• Joan Dupont, Program and Planning Manager for Region 4 of the New York State Department of

Transportation (NYSDOT) opened the meeting, welcoming those in attendance.

• It was indicated that the issue of trucks “cutting the corner” to travel through the corridor instead of along

I-390 and the Thruway—has been evident for decades. A major purpose of the Route 63 Corridor Study will be to examine the effects of truck traffic in the corridor and develop some mitigation strategies.

• It was pointed out that because of the large size of the study area, and the sometimes-conflicting nature
• f the community interests represented (e.g. reducing truck volumes vs. promoting economic development)

the process of developing solutions figures to be challenging.

• It was noted that to meet this challenge, NYSDOT will undertake a thorough investigation of current

conditions, and has planned a comprehensive and multi-layered program of public involvement to ensure that all of the various community perspectives are incorporated in the process of developing and evaluating proposed solutions. Those in attendance were encouraged to share with the NYSDOT Study any suggestions to improve the Study’s community-involvement process.

• Bob Traver, NYSDOT Project Manager for the Route 63 Corridor Study, was introduced. He indicated

that the purpose of today’s meeting was to introduce the Study, and to begin the process of soliciting community input about transportation issues facing the Corridor.

• Those in attendance were urged to be as specific as possible with regard to location and nature of

issues that are raised. It was noted that while all issues raised at the meeting would be captured in the meeting summary, it would be even better for attendees to submit concerns in written form, using the comment forms and maps provided for that purpose.

• It was noted that comments and suggestions would be encouraged throughout the Study process. At

any point during the project, input can be directed to the following individuals: Bob Traver, NYSDOT Project Manager NYSDOT Region 4 1530 Jefferson Road Rochester, NY 14623-3161 t: (716) 272-3412 btraver@gw.dot.state.ny.us Chuck Huffine, Consultant Project Manager Sear Brown Group 85 Metro Park Rochester, NY 14623 t: (716) 475-1440 Chuck.Huffine@searbrown.com

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• It was announced that NYSDOT had developed a website to provide basic project information. The

Route 63 Corridor Study site is linked to the NYSDOT home page at www.dot.state.ny.us. Information

• n the Corridor Study is listed under “Projects of Interest”.
• Chuck Huffine of the Sear-Brown Group, the Consultant Team Project Manager for the Route 63

Corridor Study, was introduced. Before using a slide presentation to provide an overview of the project, he acknowledged other members of the NYSDOT Study Team, including: Bob Cody of Sear-Brown, who will assist with designing alternatives; John Walsh of Sear-Brown, who will provide planning support; and John DeMuro of Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, who will administer the Study’s community involvement activities. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY It was noted that, as defined in the project’s Scope of Services, the purpose of the Route 63 Corridor Study is to:

• Address increasing truck traffic in the Route 63, 20, 77 Corridor in Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming

Counties;

• Identify and implement transportation improvements that will allow for safe and efficient passage of

truck traffic; and

• Improve Seasonal Traffic Conditions Around Darien Lake Area.

It was noted that in order to get a comprehensive picture of truck traffic in the corridor, the Study would examine transportation conditions along all major state highways in the project area, including: Routes 63, 20, 77, 33, 5, 36, 408, 20A, 23. GOALS & OBJECTIVES: The following preliminary goals & objectives—which were also provided on a separate handout—were listed: Preliminary Study Goals:

• Identify the Problems
• Develop Proposed Solutions that Address the Identified Problems
• Incorporate Community Needs
• Assure that Solutions Maximize the Return on Resources Invested

Preliminary Study Objectives:

• Provide for Improved Safety by Reducing the Number and Severity of Accidents
• Improve Operational Efficiency and Mobility
• Address Truck Traffic
• Reduce Seasonal Delays Near Darien Lake
• Help the Decision-Makers, the Public, Local Agencies, and Other Stakeholders Understand What is

Behind the Problem

• Work With these Groups to Identify the Best Set of Cost-Effective Solutions
• Minimize Impacts of Proposed Solutions
• Facilitate Economic Development
• Solutions Should Be Consistent With Community Values, Resources and Land Use Patterns
• Maximize User Benefits
• Maximize Cost-Effectiveness

It was announced that when the Study’s data-collection and problem-identification phases are completed, the preliminary goals and objectives would be re-visited. At that juncture, it was noted, community input would be solicited to ensure that the Study’s Goals and Objectives were in line community priorities. ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED (Initial List)

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It was reported that after a preliminary survey of current conditions in the Study Area, the NYSDOT Study Team had noted the following items as issues warranting further investigation:

• Trucks “cutting the corner” i.e. not heeding posted signage directing truck traffic to use I-390 and I-

90 (New York State Thruway);

• Posted 9-Ton Weight Limits on certain roads, and how they have affected truck movements;
• The effects of low vertical clearances at railroad crossings on truck movements;
• The impact of truck traffic on safety, traffic flow, and economic development in villages throughout

the corridor;

• Safe acceleration/deceleration for trucks traveling on steep hills;
• Limited sight-distance on hills and around curves;
• Seasonal traffic back-ups around the Six Flags facility, which impact traffic and safety in the

nearby Village of Corfu; and

• Traffic conditions at the Thruway interchanges, and associated truck facilities.

SCOPE OF WORK An overview of the activities to be undertaken by the NYSDOT Study Team was presented. It was indicated that the Route 63 Corridor Study would include the following tasks:

• Data Collection
• Traffic/Truck Volumes (including Seasonal)
• Travel Time, Mileage and Costs Studies
• Truck Origin-Destination Survey
• Local Origin-Destination Surveys
• Accident Data
• Social, Environmental and Economic Data
• Physical Highway Inventory
• Existing Capacity and Safety Analysis
• Identification of Nonstandard Features
• Existing Needs Assessment
• Existing and Future Land Use
• Future Travel Projections and Volumes
• Projection of Future Operating ConditionsRefine Goals and Objectives
• Document Existing and Future Needs
• Develop Alternatives to Meet Needs
• Assess Alternatives
• Develop Recommendations
• Develop Projects to Implement

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

• It was reported that in order to ensure that eventual recommendations of the Study take into

account the full range of community perspectives encompassed in the three-county Study Area, the NYSDOT will implement a multi-faceted public involvement program much more extensive than is normally conducted for a typical corridor study project.

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• It was noted that that today’s meeting was the first in a series of the three meetings specifically for

elected officials. A second meeting will be held near the mid-point of the Study to get the group’s input on the list of transportation needs to be addressed, and a final meeting will be held to discuss proposed alternatives.

• It was announced that the same targeted outreach strategy being employed for elected officials—

i.e. holding three meetings to correspond with project milestones—is being implemented to elicit the input of the corridor’s municipal officials and agency representatives; as well as for interested stakeholders from the business and agricultural sectors.

• It was reported that an Advisory Committee consisting of approximately 20 key community

representatives would be formed to oversee the Study process. It is anticipated that the Committee would meet up to 10 times during the course of the Study, and would play a key role in helping the Study Team strike a balance between the various community interests in the development and evaluation of transportation solutions.

• It was announced that three sets of Public Information Meetings—a total of nine (9) public

meetings overall—will be held to solicit community input on the Study. It was decided that at each

• f the three identified project milestones, the NYSDOT Study Team will hold a public information

meeting in each of the three counties in the Study Area.

• In addition to the Public Information Meetings and Targeted Outreach sessions, it was announced

that the NYSDOT Study Team will hold up to six focus groups/workshops. The purpose of these events, it was noted, is to provide venues for the NYSDOT Study Team to work closely with specific community groups to investigate certain issues that require in-depth exploration of potential solutions.

• It was announced that a range of mechanisms will be put in place to facilitate two-way

communication between the community and the Study Team, including a project website; periodic press announcements; and newsletters and other mailings. Anyone interested in participating in or receiving updates on the Route 63 Corridor Study is encouraged to contact the Study Team and have their name added to the project mailing list. PROJECT SCHEDULE

• It was reported that the Study was expected to take 18 months to complete.
• It was noted that the data-collection effort was underway, with truck Origin/Destination surveys

having been conducted at 29 separate locations in the Corridor.

• It was reported that the first round of Public Meetings would be held in January 2002, as would the

first Advisory Committee meeting.

• It was reported that the set of meetings to discuss the Inventory of Needs and Deficiencies is

expected to be held in Spring 2002, with the meetings to get input on the alternatives- development process taking place in Fall 2002.