Current Project:  Recommendation 2 of the NESTS Transportation Plan calls for the use of enhanced community based transit service to alleviate congestion in the study area. The NESTS Transit Planning Project (NTPP) is currently being undertaken to provide the data and analysis needed to determine the feasibility and design of a public transportation system to implement Recommendation 2 of the NESTS Transportation Plan.

The Northeast Subarea Transportation Study (NESTS) was a formal corridor analysis to determine if there is a need for additional capacity and safety improvements, congestion management, and improved Transportation Systems Management/Transportation Demand Management (TSM/TDM) for the Northeast area of Tompkins County. The study included an analysis of the possible problems that lead to congestion and proposed a range of possible solutions intended to improve current and future traffic conditions in the study area. Specifically, the study's objectives were to: Improve traffic safety

Improve transportation access to employment centers

Improve traffic circulation and reduce congestion

Minimize adverse impacts on the environment, energy resources, historical landmarks, existing land use patterns, and existing structures

Mitigate traffic impacts on residential and environmentally-sensitive areas

Enhance the opportunity for and the safety of alternative travel modes, such as bicycling and walking

Minimize through-traffic and truck-traffic impacts

Minimize travel delays resulting from any construction or renovation of capital facilities

Encourage long-range development plans that maintain and promote an efficient transportation system

Reduce operating, maintenance, and travel costs
 

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Interested citizens were encouraged to stop by the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) at 121 East Court Street (The Old Courthouse) and pick up an information packet. Specific questions or comments were directed to the following persons and groups: General Questions: ITCTC, 121 E Court St, Ithaca, NY 14850 Ph: (607) 274-5570

Policy Questions: Catherine Valentino, Chair of the NESTS Client Committee, 126 E Seneca St, Ithaca, NY 14850 Ph: (607) 273-1721

Technical Questions: Charles Manning, Creighton Manning Engineering L.L.P.,4 Automation Lane, Albany, N.Y. 12205-1683 Ph: (518) 446-0396

Public Involvement Questions: Scott Sears, Community Dispute Resolution Center, 120 W State St, Ithaca, NY 14850 Ph: (607) 273-9347
 

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Client Committee Members Catherine Valentino - Chair NESTS Client Committee. Supervisor, Town of Ithaca

Stuart Stein - Chair of the ITCTC Policy Committee

Donald Harthill - Mayor - Village of Lansing

Ronald Anderson - Mayor - Village of Cayuga Heights

Henrik Dullea - Vice President of University Relations - Cornell University

James Schug - Supervisor - Town of Dryden

Bradley Griffin - Planning Board Member - Town of Lansing

Janis Gross - Transportation Analyst - New York State Department of Transportation
 

Working Group Members (Bios) John W. Bailey - George B. Bailey Agency, Inc. Lifelong resident in the Ithaca/Dryden area.

Lois Chaplin - Bicycle Safety Specialist, Cornell University

Norman (Lin) Davidson - Farm Owner, Lansing

Thomas LiVigne - Real Estate Department, Cornell University - Town of Lansing resident.

Dwight Mengel - TCAT - City of Ithaca resident.

Dorothy (Dottie) Munson - Owner, Baskin Robbins, Pyramid Mall. Lifelong resident of Lansing

Dennis Reinhart - Superintendent of Public Works, Village of Lansing. Etna resident.

Fred Noteboom - Highway Superintendent, Town of Ithaca

Bill Goldsmith - Professor of Planning, Cornell University. Forest Home neighborhood resident.

David Orr - Engineer. Local Roads Program, Cornell University. Brooktondale resident.

Dana Paul - Bicycle commuter. Member of the Ludlowville Community Association. Hamlet of Ludlowville resident.

Barbara Caldwell - Executive Officer of the Ithaca Board of Realtors. Chair, Town of Dryden Planning Board.

Brad Griffin - Member of the Town of Lansing Planning Board. Retired biologist. Farmer, Highland Harbor Farm.

Robert (Bob) Day - Police Officer and Fire Chief Village of Cayuga Heights. Town of Danby resident.

Fred Bonn - Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.
 

NESTS Technical Advisors John Gutenberger - Chair ITCTC Planning Committee, Vice-Chair NESTS Client Committee. Assistant Director of Community Relations, Cornell University

Bill Mobbs - Commissioner of Public Works, Tompkins County

James Hanson, Jr. - Commissioner of Planning, Tompkins County

Jonathan Kanter - Town Planner, Town of Ithaca.

Brent Cross - Superintendent of Public Works, Village of Cayuga Heights

David Herrick - Principal, T.G. Miller, P.C.

Bill Wendt - Director of Transportation Services, Cornell University

Katie Borgella - Tompkins County Planning Department

Joan Jurkowich - Tompkins County Planning Department
 

ITCTC Staff Fernando de Aragon, Director

Victor A. Jorrin, Transportation Analyst

Teresa L. Linde, Administrative Assistant
 

NESTS Consultants Chuck Manning - Creighton Manning Inc.

Judith Saul - Executive Director, Community Dispute Resolution Center

Scott Sears - Facilitator, Community Dispute Resolution Center
 
 

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In the first step of a year-long process to develop recommendations for improving the transportation network in the Northeast Subarea of Tompkins County, the transportation problems and issues indicated on the attached map and list have been identified. So that the NESTS study can address the full range of transportation issues within the study area, we would like you to review the list of problems and identify any additional issues you are aware of.

The NESTS study intends to address all transportation modes. In keeping with this mandate it is appropriate to include problems related to safety, efficiency, access, congestion for passenger and freight vehicles, transit systems, bicycles, and pedestrians.
 

DIRECTIONS

ZONE 1: CAMPUS RD - RT. 366 SOUTH TO RT. 79

1.1 Rt 366, Hoy Rd to Judd Falls Rd- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety, Turning difficulty.

1.2 Pine Tree Rd- No Ped/Bike connection from East Hill Plaza to Rt 366.

1.3 Pine Tree Rd/Ellis Hollow Rd- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety.

1.4 Rt 79, near Lois La- Bus stop problems.

1.5 Pine Tree Rd/Rt 79- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety, Sight distance, Volume of traffic on Rt 79,

Lack of gaps in traffic at certain times, Short cut to mall from Rt 79.

1.6 Rt 79- No shoulder for Peds/Bikes/Bus stops.

1.7 Rt 366/Freese Rd- High traffic volume, Cars park on shoulders.

1.8 Rt 366, Freese Rd to Turkey Hill Rd- Snow removal on steep grade.

1.9 Rt 366, near Mitchell St- Truck traffic unsafe, Steep grade, Poor visibility.

1.10 Rt 366- Ped/Bike access, High traffic volume.

1.11 Rt 366/Rt 13/Hall Rd- Congestion, Volume of Rt 13 lefts onto Rt 366 in the AM, Poor pedestrian crossing.

1.12 Ellis Hollow Rd- High commuter demand.

1.13 Game Farm Rd- 1 lane bridge.

1.14 Pine Tree Rd- Parking problems due to narrow shoulder.

1.15 Turkey Hill Rd/Mt. Pleasant Rd- Poor sight distance.

1.16 Game Farm Rd/Rt 366- Poor intersection.

ZONE 2: UNIVERSITY AVE - FOREST HOME DRIVE NORTH TO TRIPHAMMER/ PYRAMID

2.1 East Ave/Forest Home Dr- No Ped/Bike link to Cornell.

2.2 Community Corners- Congestion, Poor turning movements, Safety issues.

2.3 Triphammer Rd- Ped safety for Kendall residents walking to malls.

2.4 Triphammer Rd/Rt 13- Poor intersections, Congestion, No crossing signals.

2.5 Triphammer Rd, near Pyramid Mall- Congestion, No Ped crossing signals, Impact of

McDonald's and 4-way stop at Graham Rd.

2.6 Warren Rd/Rt 13- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety.

2.7 Warren Rd, near Uptown Rd- Difficult turning at peak hours, Ped/Vehicle interface (Children walking, biking)

2.8 Hanshaw Rd/Warren Rd- No sidewalks or shoulders, poor road surface, poor intersection.

2.9 Pleasant Grove Rd- Poor connectors -Rt 79 through Cornell, Cayuga Heights to Rt 13 and Lansing.

ZONE 3: CORNELL CAMPUS AND CONNECTORS

3.1 Cornell Campus- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety, Poor parking and transit access to Cornell.

3.2 University Ave/Forest Home Dr- Ped safety, sidewalks not continuous.

3.3 Forest Home- Congestion, Ped/Bike safety, Pollution (noise, dust, fumes), Few Fall Creek vehicle

crossings, Problem with traffic flows through Forest Home, Narrow bridges, No shoulders.

3.4 Rt 366, near Tower Rd Ext.- Parking access for Cornell.

3.5 Caldwell Rd- Narrow, steep, no shoulder for ped/bikes.

ZONE 4: RT. 34/TRIPHAMMER TO LANSING

4.1 N. Triphammer Rd- Excessive speed.

4.2 Grandview Dr/Hillcrest Rd- Bad intersection.

4.3 Hillcrest Rd- Bypass for through traffic around mall.

4.4 Warren Rd (Lansing)- No shoulders, no transit

4.5 Waterwagon Rd/N. Triphammer Rd- Poor alignment, grade, and sight distance.

4.6 East Shore Cir/Rt 34- Poor alignment/design.

4.7 Asbury Rd/N. Triphammer Rd- Poor sight distance, and alignment, Cut off road to S. Lansing.

4.8 Rt 34B, Conlon Rd to Rt 34- Heavy truck traffic, Difficult entering 34B due to traffic.

4.9 Rt 34B/Rt 34 Overlap- Ped/Bike access to schools and recreation areas.

4.10 Rt 34B/Van Ostrand Rd- High commuter volume.

4.11 Atwater Rd- Excessive speed.

ZONE 5: RT. 13/WARREN RD/RT. 366 TO DRYDEN

5.1 Freese Rd/Hanshaw Rd- Poor sight distance.

5.2 Freese Rd, North of Rt 366- 1 lane bridge, steep, narrow, poor visibility, high school bus volume.

5.3 Hanshaw Rd/Lower Creek Rd- Poor intersection, undersized road.

5.4 Rt 366 (Main St)/Rt 13 (Dryden Rd)- Poor access onto Rt 13 from 366.

5.5 Multi-use trail from Game Farm Rd to Rt 366/Rt 13 intersection is undeveloped.
 
 
 

Meeting Schedule for the NESTS Working Group

Time: 5:30 pm

Place: Transit Center, large conference room

Dates: The following -

12/4/97(Public Mtg., DeWitt Middle School)

1/29/98

2/26/98

3/26/98

4/30/98

5/16/98(Public Mtg., DeWitt Middle School)

5/28/98

6/25/98

7/30/98

8/27/98

9/24/98

10/22/98(held at: 125 E. Court Street)

10/29/98(Public Mtg., DeWitt Middle School)

11/19/98

12/10/98 (held at: 125 E. Court Street)

1/21/99

2/11/99

2/25/99(Public Mtg., DeWitt Middle School)

3/11/99

4/29/99

5/13/99

7/29/99(Final meeting, open to the public, DeWitt Middle School 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
 
 

Working Group Meeting Summaries

Summaries of every NESTS Working Group meeting, since its inception, can be viewed in the reference section of the Tompkins County Public Library and at the ITCTC Office, 121 E. Court Street, Ithaca, NY.