Changes to Route 36 under consideration: Pedestrians, vehicle speeds impact options

The state Route 36 corridor in Hornell has featured four lanes since the 1970's, but a fifth, unofficial lane that has developed over the years may result in a reimagining of the city’s main thoroughfare.

The state Department of Transportation is considering various ways to enhance safety, calm traffic, and accommodate an increase in pedestrian and bicycle use along the corridor from Cass Street in the City of Hornell to the southern limit of the Village of Arkport, where the road changes from a four-lane to a two-lane.

DOT presented an outline of potential plans for the corridor during a public forum Tuesday night in the high school auditorium, a near 90-minute discussion that included talk of roundabouts, lane reductions, walking paths and pedestrian bridges.

The “suburban transition area” from Adsit Street to Big Creek Road is of particular interest to DOT. This stretch of the corridor, which includes the Hornell Plaza, receives some of the highest traffic volumes in the area, with the busiest intersection where Route 36 meets Bethesda Drive at the Hornell Plaza. During the afternoon commute, there is roughly an equal number of motorists entering the plaza as there are continuing north along Route 36. The corridor altogether sees 13,000 vehicles a day across its 10 intersections.

The suburban transition area has significant speed limit changes from 30 to 45 to 55 miles per hour.

The growth of the plaza has also attracted a steady stream of foot traffic. DOT noted that while there is a well-worn path in the grass median, the area is unlit and does not have any pedestrian accommodations.

“They’re employees that work at the plaza, they’re customers of the plaza, people that just don’t have the means to get there otherwise,” said Mayor John Buckley. “I think if we ignore that or minimize that, it’s a mistake. It’s an accident waiting to happen. … That foot trail is there because people use it. I think that’s an honorable thing to address.”

Why is the DOT studying changes to Route 36?

The original construction in the 1970's did not anticipate the rise of commercial and industrial activity along the corridor and did not make any accommodations for foot and bicycle traffic. The four-lane project at the time also infamously erased Hornell's Union Park from the landscape.

“If we’re going to spend $40 to $50 million on this corridor, let’s not put back what may not be right,” said project manager Mike Griffin. “That’s why we’re here tonight. We want to do the right thing for 2020, not the right thing for 1970.”

DOT’s top concern is reducing speed along the entire corridor. DOT said excess speeds of 40 miles per hour in the city, 55 at the plaza and 65 north of Big Creek Road are not uncommon. DOT’s primary goals in studying the corridor include finding ways to slow traffic, better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, improve safety at intersections and reduce crashes.

Webb’s Crossing has a history of high-speed crashes with at least one fatal accident, and Bethesda Drive has a higher rate of crashes than expected. Cass and Elm Street have a large number of “near misses,” said DOT.

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What changes could be made to Route 36?

DOT is considering a menu of different options to meet its goals. The proposals include:

• Full access at the northern plaza driveway: This change would alleviate some traffic at Bethesda Drive. A DOT study indicated access at both ends of the plaza would divert about 35% of the traffic that currently turns left at Bethesda Drive to the next stop light. It would also allow more convenient access to businesses at the northern end of the plaza, such as Wegmans, Dunkin Donuts and the new hotel currently under construction.

• Roundabouts: Roundabouts would eliminate the need for a traffic signal and reduce the severity of high-speed crashes. Griffin said the DOT is considering roundabouts at some strategic intersections in the corridor, but not all of them.

• Reduction to two lanes: DOT considered extending the two-lane section of 36 from Arkport south along the “rural” section of the corridor north of Big Creek Road. Reducing the width would save on short-term construction costs and long-term maintenance costs. It also opens up the opportunity to add a separate trail to improve recreational accommodations. DOT does not plan on extending the two-lane into the “urban” section of the corridor in the city from Cass Street to Adsit.

• Enhanced pedestrian, bicycle accommodations: The construction of a multi-use trail for walking and bicycling is being considered. It would provide users with a safe path to commute on 36 and link up with the nearby Finger Lakes Trail and Shawmut Trail.

• Opening Broadway to Route 36: Motorists are currently unable to access Broadway from Route 36. Making changes at Elm and Broadway and opening Broadway to 36 could improve pedestrian travel as well as delivery and truck access to the manufacturing area in the city. A new intersection design at Cass and Broadway would be included.

• Speed reductions: The proposal calls for the extension of the 30 mph zone towards Bethesda Drive, and extension of the 40 mph zone toward Webb’s Crossing.

What was the public reaction?

The community made its voice heard during the public forum, with the majority resistant to wholesale changes to the corridor.

Several residents were concerned roundabouts would negatively impact Alstom, the city’s major employer, and other businesses that move large products through the city. Griffin said the company is meeting with Alstom to address its needs. DOT has also worked with windmill companies to understand their needs moving through the corridor.

In addition to trepidation about roundabouts, multiple residents questioned the wisdom of reducing the four-lane to two lanes outside the city given the recent growth of Hornell industry.

“To bring it down to a two-lane highway to make it safe and convenient for the walking and bicycling, that very honestly is only going to be able to use it for probably nine months out of the year, you’re going to inconvenience motor vehicle traffic 24/7, 365 for that?” asked resident Mike Wilson.

Griffin said DOT’s analysis of traffic volumes and future projections indicate that the corridor was initially “overbuilt” as a four-lane. A reduction to two lanes would also allow space for the creation of multi-use trails along the corridor.

“Why are you trying to fix something that’s not broken instead of just enhancing it?” asked resident Andy Smilinich. “You’re talking about tearing something down and rebuilding it into something smaller and slower.”

Griffin said DOT will incorporate public input into its final plan for the corridor. There is no start date for the construction project, allowing ample time for planning and engineering.

How to weigh in on the project

DOT is requesting the input of residents on the plan. Comments can be directed to Public Involvement Coordinator Marty Jackson by calling 607-324-8454 or emailing Route36Corridor@dot.ny.gov. Comments must be received by Aug. 27.

Chris Potter can be reached at cpotter@gannett.com or on Twitter @ChrisPotter413. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Route 36 corridor from Hornell to Arkport under review for changes