FALCONER – Two Complete Streets projects in Jamestown, Dunkirk and one in Bemus Point are scheduled to be completed in 2019, according to the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities (DPF), which announced the Complete Streets projects that are planned for this year.
This years projects are installation of a cross walk to connect the Riverwalk trail across South Main Street in Jamestown; installation of a cross walk across the west side of the Harrison Street bridge in Jamestown; striping of Central Avenue in Dunkirk to include bike lanes and cross walks; repaving of the road shoulder and striping of bike lanes on Route 430 in Bemus Point; and funding to initiate a design study for sidewalks and cross walks on Vineyard Drive in Dunkirk.
The Complete Streets policy, which has been adopted by Chautauqua County and currently seven local municipalities, recommends all modes of travel be considered in the design of projects. Projects are evaluated by the County’s Complete Streets interdepartmental task force for the feasibility of installing sidewalks, paving of shoulders, lane striping, bicycle lanes, share the road signs, cross walks, road configurations, traffic calmers and other similar initiatives.
“In the 2019 Budget, we had allocated an unprecedented amount of funding for our Complete Streets program,” said George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive. “I am pleased we will be able to provide these much needed enhancements that will improve our roadways and make them safer and more accessible for our residents and visitors.”
DPF coordinates these projects with the local municipality to ensure the local needs are incorporated into the design.
“These relatively inexpensive projects are excellent examples of how implementation of the Complete Streets Policy enhances projects that are needed to maintain the safety of our roads and bridges,” said Brad Bentley, Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities. “These projects will encourage increased utilization of our transportation assets while also increasing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“The two new crosswalks in Jamestown will be a welcome addition to pedestrian routes near the Greater Jamestown Riverwalk in Brooklyn Square,” said Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi. “I would like to thank our County partners for including them in their upcoming project list. By providing safe areas for residents and visitors to cross these streets, it improves accessibility and encourages individuals to explore the many recreational and commercial opportunities in Downtown Jamestown.”
City of Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas said, “Since I have come into office the City has been working together with the County on numerous projects. This complete streets project is another demonstration of how collaboration can help get a project done. The Central Connection Project is a project that has been funded partially through the City’s Smart Growth Funds from Empire State Development and will be completed this spring with the help of the County’s Complete Streets Initiative. We are very excited to be able to better connect the City, the College, and the Village of Fredonia. This spring we will see the cross walks installed, banners unifying the corridor, and bike lanes and traffic lanes stripped.”
“This project in the Town of Ellery between the overpass of the I-86 bridge and Shore Acres Boat Yard will help extend the bike lanes on Route 430 that were completed by New York State crews last year,” said Arden Johnson, Supervisor of the Town of Ellery. “We are glad to be working with the county to complete this roadway so it can be safely used for any means of travel.”
The Interdepartmental Complete Streets Task Force was formed in 2018 by Borrello, and includes representatives from the DPF, County Planning and Economic Development, County Department of Health and Human Services, and the County Executive’s office. Task Force members meet regularly to review and prioritize potential Complete Streets projects.
Leave a Reply