Route 531 Extension Plan moves ahead

The Genesee Transportation Council has amended its 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program to include $5.8 million to advance the possible extension of Route 531 west to Redman Road in the Town of Sweden.

The $5.8 million will allow the New York State Department of Transportation to conduct preliminary engineering and environmental studies related to the extension.

"This is another positive step forward in the process," County Legislature President Wayne Zyra, who serves on the Genesee Transportation Board said. "Continuing to improve our transportation networks, particularly Route 531, is important for residents and for economic development in our towns."

In 2000, the Genesee Transportation Council worked collaboratively with the local communities to complete a study which identified the need and a preferred alignment for the extension of Route 531. This report is being used as a reference to progress the engineering and environmental studies to the next level.

The U.S. DOT funds will be used by the NYSDOT to document and update existing traffic conditions, accident analyses, environmental and cultural resource surveys, as well as develop potential design alternatives.

To date, the NYSDOT project team has met with local leaders from the Towns of Ogden, Sweden, Clarkson and the Village of Brockport as well as Orleans County regarding the project. The collection of ground-level and aerial survey data has begun and will continue throughout the summer.

A public outreach program will be instituted and a public information meeting will be held later this summer or early fall to gather community input.