Erie Boulevard

Erie Boulevard April 21, 2009

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Meeting Purpose Present Project Design

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Project Description • Federally Funded Transportation Project • Project Funding - $14 million Total – 80% Federal – 15% State – 5% City

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Project Location Project Begins – I 890

Project Ends Union Street

Reconstruction of Erie Boulevard from I-890 to Union Street

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Why are we doing this and what needs to be improved?

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Existing Roadway Conditions Diagonal Parking and Back-out Space

Four Travel Lanes

Narrow Painted Median

Approximately 110 Feet

• High Speeds • Difficult Left Turns • Difficult Pedestrian Crossings • Random U-Turns • Accidents 6

The existing condition is not an acceptable design solution.

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The Image of Erie Boulevard

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The image of a progressive successful city?

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Albany, NY • Add photo

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Syracuse, NY

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Oneonta, NY

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Hudson, NY

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State Street, Schenectady

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State Street, Schenectady

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State Street, Schenectady

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State Street, Schenectady

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Revitalization of Downtown Schenectady Lower State Street

State Street

I-890 Erie Boulevard 18

Erie Boulevard Looking South

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Lower State Street Looking West

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Where are we in the design process?

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Design Process • Preliminary Design Phase – 2006 to

2009 • Public Information Meeting – Nov. 29, 2007 • Meet with individuals and organizations • Evaluation of alternatives – 2008 to Present • Final Design 22

Public Involvement • Question, Answer and Comment

Session at Public Information Meeting • Over 50 comments submitted in writing • Approximately 10 meetings with Individuals and Businesses • Presentations to City Council

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Key Issues from the Public Involvement • On-street parking and strategic

parking locations • Service access to businesses • Turnarounds and access to business • Service road on east side • Left turns at State Street • Bike Lanes • Roundabouts are undesirable 24

What is the basis of the design?

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Project Objectives 1. Improve traffic operations 2. Provide for safe and efficient vehicular travel 3. Improve access and linkages 4. Reduce vehicular speeds 5. Improve pedestrian and bicycle access 6. Maximize on-street parking 7. Make consistent with downtown redevelopment plans

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Design Alternatives that Meet the Project Objectives

• Alternative A – Conventional

Intersection at South Ferry Street and Service Road • Alternative B – Roundabout Intersection at South Ferry Street and Service Road

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Preferred Design Alternative • Alternative A – Conventional

Intersection at South Ferry Street and Service Road

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Key Elements of the Project Design • Comparable on-street parking with

buffer • Wide conventional intersection with turn lanes • Service Road for access to the rear of buildings • Bike lanes • Pedestrian improvements at Liberty Street • Off-Peak left turns onto State Street29

Proposed Project Design I-890 to State Street Curbed Median with Street Trees

Turnaround at I890

Realigned conventional Intersection with signal Turnaround at Erie Street

I-890 State St. Service Road with Access to Intersection

Parallel Parking - West Side Diagonal Parking – East side

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Proposed Project Design I-890 to State Street One-way street northbound Requires acquisition of book store Parallel Parking in front of Computer store

Allows U-turns except for trucks

Service access to Olenders Requires acquisition of old body shop

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Proposed Project Design State Street to Union Street Realigned intersection for better traffic flow and shorter pedestrian crossings

Left Turns during NonPeak Hours

Entrances from sidewalk to new Train Station Extend sidewalk beneath RR bridge

Preserve Union Street entrance to Stockade

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Enhanced Conventional Intersection Public Space

Crosswalks

Textured Pavement within Intersection

Pedestrian Refuge

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Typical On-Street Parking

Bike Lanes on both sides

Parallel parking on west side

Diagonal parking on east side

Textured pavement buffer strip

Preserves all but 5 parking spaces 34

Next Steps Written comments may be submitted until May 5, 2009 to: Erie Boulevard Project Clough Harbour & Associates III Winners Circle, P.O. Box 5269 Albany, NY 12077-0269 35

Proposed Project Design I-890 to State Street

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Proposed Project Design State Street to Union Street

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